Passiflora incarnata aka Purple Passionflower

Taxonomy ID: 11037

Passiflora incarnata, also known as maypop, purple passionflower, true passionflower, wild apricot, and wild passion vine, is a fast-growing perennial vine with climbing or trailing stems. It is a member of the passionflower genus Passiflora and is both found as a wildflower in the southern United States and in cultivation for its fruit and striking bluish-purple blooms. The plant has large, intricate flowers with prominent styles and stamens, and the stems can be smooth or pubescent, long and trailing, possessing many tendrils. The leaves are alternate and palmately 3-lobed and occasionally 5-lobed, measuring 6–15 centimetres and have two characteristic glands at the base of the blade on the petiole. Flowers have five bluish-white petals. Maypop belongs to the Passiflora genus, and is native to the Central and Eastern United States and Bermuda. The fruit of Passiflora incarnata contains many seeds, each surrounded by an aril holding edible juice, which can be consumed fresh or used to flavor processed products. Historically, the plant has been used as a herbal medicine in the belief it may be used for anxiety, insomnia, or hypertension. In traditional medicine, passionflower is reputed to have a number of potential uses including diarrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, neuralgia, burns, haemorrhoids and insomnia as used historically in Europe. Maypop is a super rare houseplant that isn't challenging to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. Maypop likes soil that is well draining. You may want to supplement with a gentle, organic fertilizer throughout the peak growing season.

Common names

Purple Passionflower, Apricot Vine, Maypop

More information about Purple Passionflower

How difficult is it to take care of Purple Passionflower

With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Purple Passionflower, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.

What is the region of origin of Purple Passionflower

Purple Passionflower’s native range is Eastern N. America - Virginia and Kentucky, south to Florida and Texas.

What are the water needs for Purple Passionflower

Purple Passionflower should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

What is the right soil for Purple Passionflower

Purple Passionflower loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

What is the sunlight requirement for Purple Passionflower

Purple Passionflower requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Apricot Vine is always in the right place to thrive.

Is Purple Passionflower toxic to humans/pets?

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

What's the dormancy for Purple Passionflower

During the wintertime, it is common for Purple Passionflower plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

More info:
Wikipedia