Maypop Seeds | Purple Passionflower | (Passiflora incarnata)
Maypop Seeds | Purple Passionflower | (Passiflora incarnata)
Native. Exotic-looking. Surprisingly hardy.
Passiflora incarnata, the Maypop, is one of the most visually striking native plants in North America. Its intricate lavender and white passionflowers look like they belong in a tropical greenhouse, yet this vine thrives from zone 5 to zone 9. It dies back to the roots each winter and returns with force every spring. By late summer, it produces edible fruit with a sweet, tropical flavor. The flowers are a critical nectar source for native pollinators and serve as the sole larval host for multiple butterfly species.
- Native passionflower hardy from zones 5–9
- Exotic blooms that attract bees, wasps, and butterflies
- Produces edible fruit with a sweet tropical flavor
- Host plant for Gulf Fritillary and Variegated Fritillary butterflies
- Spreads by rhizomes to cover slopes, banks, and disturbed ground
Things You Probably Didn’t Know
The flower became a teaching tool.
Spanish missionaries in the 1500s used the complex structure of the passionflower to symbolize the crucifixion. Each part of the bloom was given meaning, earning it the name “Flor de las Cinco Llagas,” or flower of the five wounds.
It pops when you step on it.
The name Maypop comes from the sound of the ripe fruit bursting underfoot. Kids in the rural South have been stepping on them for generations like nature’s version of bubble wrap.
It has a long history as a natural sedative.
Passiflora incarnata was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia from 1916 to 1936 and is still used today to support relaxation and sleep. Modern studies confirm its mild calming effects.
The roots don’t quit.
Even after the vine dies back completely in winter, the underground root system survives and expands. One planting can return and spread for decades.
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Passiflora incarnata
- Stratification: Recommended; 60–90 days cold stratification
- USDA Zones: 5–9
- Soil: Well-drained; sandy to loamy, tolerates poor soils
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Habit: Vine (6–30 feet depending on support)
- Spread: Spreads by rhizomes
Plant it where you want something wild and beautiful. A native vine that earns a second look from everyone who sees it in bloom.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. They are stored under dry, cold conditions to preserve viability without initiating stratification, allowing you to time germination for your local growing season.
The exception is recalcitrant seeds. Because these seeds must remain moist to stay viable, they are kept in moist, cold storage and are therefore in a pre-stratified state. Depending on how long a particular batch has been stored, some may arrive with an emerging radicle and be ready to plant immediately. Radicle development is not guaranteed.
Please refer to the individual product page and included growing instructions for species-specific requirements.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes. Some species we offer, including Chestnut, Hazelnut, and Paw Paw, are recalcitrant and must remain moist to stay viable.
Please refrigerate these seeds immediately upon arrival unless they have already developed a radicle. Seeds with an emerging radicle should be planted promptly.
Do you ship internationally?
No. We currently ship within the United States only.
We previously shipped to Canada, but tariffs, duties, and import fees resulted in customers receiving significant and unpredictable additional charges upon delivery. Because we cannot reliably calculate or absorb these costs, we have suspended shipping to Canada.
At this time, we do not ship to Canada or other international destinations.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
• Hand-packed in resealable kraft paper seed bags
• Stratification and planting instructions included on every seed pack
• Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS within the United States and U.S. territories
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
If your order arrives damaged, contains incorrect items, or is missing items, please contact us within 7 days of delivery so we can resolve the issue.
