Passiflora maypop is North America's only native passion flower, a vigorous vine that defies the typical fragility associated with tropical passion fruits. Hardy from zones 6 to 9, this woody perennial produces intricate purple and white flowers from early summer through fall, followed by egg-sized edible fruits. What makes maypop exceptional is its toughness: established vines shrug off winter freezes and return reliably year after year, making it one of the few passion vines that survives cold climates outdoors. Native peoples valued the leaves, flowers, and fruit for their sedative and relaxing properties, a legacy that persists in modern herbalism.
Full Sun
Moderate
6-9
?in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
The maypop vine is uniquely hardy for a passion flower, surviving winters in zone 6 without protection once established. Native to North America, it carries cultural significance rooted in indigenous traditions where its calming properties were revered. The plant offers a triple harvest: edible leaves, spectacular flowers that bloom from June through November, and golf ball-sized fruits. Its ability to regrow vigorously after hard freezes makes it far more reliable than tropical cousins in temperate gardens.
The entire maypop plant is edible and useful. The leaves can be harvested for tea or dried for herbal infusions, particularly valued for their calming and sedative qualities. The distinctive flowers, which bloom abundantly throughout the growing season, are ornamental enough to justify planting on their own. The fruits, which develop after flowers fade, can be eaten fresh when fully ripe or used in jams and beverages. Beyond food, the plant's historical role in indigenous herbalism continues to drive cultivation among those interested in traditional remedies.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Harvest leaves throughout the growing season for fresh use or drying. Flowers can be picked as they open for ornamental display or drying. Fruits mature in late summer and fall; pick them when they develop a yellow or golden color and begin to wrinkle slightly, which signals ripeness and sweetness. Ripe fruits will often drop from the vine naturally, earning the plant its 'maypop' name from the tendency of fruits to pop open when fully mature.
Prune maypop in spring to remove any canes damaged by winter cold and to eliminate tangled or excessively overgrown growth. The vine naturally favors sprawling, free growth, so avoid heavy pruning designed to force compact forms. Light pruning to direct growth along a trellis or fence is acceptable; the plant will respond with vigorous new shoots.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Passiflora incarnata stands alone as the only passion flower native to North America, with a deep history in indigenous plant use. Native peoples recognized and cultivated maypop for centuries, valuing not just the fruit but the entire plant for its sedative and relaxing qualities. When European colonists arrived, they encountered this useful vine already integrated into native medicine and food traditions. The plant's common name, 'maypop,' likely derives from the fruit's tendency to pop open when ripe, a characteristic that made harvest timing unmistakable. This vine represents a rare example of a New World plant that remained in continuous use by its original keepers while also gaining recognition among European herbalists and naturalists.”