Lawn Guardian

Passionflower Care Guide

Passiflora incarnata

vineZones 6–10nativedeer resistant

Native vine with exotic, intricate purple and white flowers followed by edible yellow fruit (maypops). Host plant for Gulf Fritillary butterflies. Dies back in winter.

At a glance

Season-by-season care

Spring

Cut back dead growth Late spring

Remove dead winter stems as new growth emerges from the roots. May be slow to emerge in spring.

Install support Before growth begins

Provide trellis, fence, or netting for the vigorous twining growth.

Summer

Control root suckers Throughout summer

Passionflower spreads by root suckers. Remove unwanted shoots away from the main plant.

Welcome caterpillars Summer

Fritillary butterfly caterpillars (orange with black spines) will feed on foliage. This is good! Do not spray.

Fall

Harvest maypops if desired Late summer/fall

Yellow fruit (maypops) are edible when ripe. Tart, tropical flavor. Seeds also eaten by wildlife.

Ecological value

Sole host plant for Gulf Fritillary and Variegated Fritillary butterfly caterpillars. Complex flowers attract large carpenter bees and other native pollinators. Fruit eaten by wildlife.

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Related plants

Sources: Purdue University Turfgrass Science: Use Growing Degree Days to Better Time Your Applications · University of Missouri Extension: Cool-Season Grasses: Lawn Maintenance Calendar · University of Minnesota Extension: Pre-emergent Herbicides for Crabgrass Control in Lawns