Photo: Alex AbairCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Maypop Plant Care
Passiflora incarnata L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Passiflora incarnata, commonly known as maypop, purple passionflower, true passionflower, wild apricot, and wild passion vine, is a fast-growing perennial vine with climbing or trailing stems. A member of the passionflower genus Passiflora, the maypop has large, intricate flowers with prominent styles and stamens.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
50–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Maypop?
Water Maypop every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 50–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Maypop Native To?
What Is the Maypop?
Maypop (Passiflora incarnata) belongs to the Passifloraceae family within the Passiflora genus. Maypop is native to United States, Mexico. Maypop is also known as Purple Passionflower, Wild Passionflower, Passionflower.
Maypop displays a vigorous climbing vine growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Maypop produces unique, intricate, colorful flowers with a central crown-like structure.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Maypop?
Passiflora incarnata requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Maypop Need?
Maypop thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Maypop Prefer?
Passiflora incarnata grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Maypop prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
50–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Maypop?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. Good drainage is essential for Maypop to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Maypop?
Feed Maypop every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Maypop?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Maypop?
Maypop can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blue passion flower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Maypop Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Maypop, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Maypop?
Maypop is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Maypop Need?
Maypop grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Maypop is native to United States, Mexico.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Maypop is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Passiflora genus — compare its care with other Passiflora species on PlantoScan.
Passiflora is part of the Passifloraceae plant family — browse all Passifloraceae genera and species.
Maypop thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Passiflora incarnata L., family Passifloraceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 959 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Maypop, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Alex Abair, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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