How-to Guide
How to Grow Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
The short answer
Passionflower, or maypop (Passiflora incarnata), is a fast-growing native vine hardy in USDA zones 5a-9b. It climbs by axillary tendrils, so give it a fence or trellis, and site it in full sun to partial shade in average, well-drained soil. Flowers bloom from May to July, followed by egg-shaped maypop fruits from July to October.
It is native and not classed as invasive, but under good conditions it spreads by root suckers to cover large areas, so plan for that vigor. In cold-winter climates it dies to the ground and regrows in spring, which naturally limits its size.
Planting and support
Plant where the vine has 12-24 feet of space and a structure to climb. It climbs by tendrils rather than clinging roots, so a trellis, wire, or fence works well. A loose mulch helps keep the roots cool even though the plant tolerates some drought once established.
Managing spread
Under optimum conditions passionflower spreads by root suckers to cover large areas. To keep it in bounds, remove suckers as they appear or plant it where a walkway or mowed strip limits the spread. Its winter dieback in colder zones also helps reset its size each year.
→ Maypop is a native vine, not an invasive species, but its root-sucker spread means it can outgrow a small bed. Give it room or contain it (NC State Extension).
Fruit and winter behavior
Fleshy, leathery maypop fruits appear from July to October and mature to a yellowish color; they 'pop' when crushed. The vine is woody in warm-winter climates but dies to the ground in cold-winter areas and regrows the following spring.
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Passiflora incarnata — Zones 5a-9b, climbs by axillary tendrils, full sun to part shade, well-drained soil, blooms May-July, maypop fruit July-Oct, spreads by root suckers, dies to ground in cold winters