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Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Family
Passifloraceae
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Common Names
Wild passion flower, maypop, apricot vine, old field apricot, Holy-Trinity flower, molly-pop, passion vine, pop-apple, granadilla, maycock, white sarsaparilla
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Harvest
Harvest healthy, green aerial (above ground) parts when there are stems, leaves, flowers, and buds present. To dry, chop vine into small segments. Multiple harvests are possible in one season. ​
The passionflower fruit is edible, although it doesn’t have any medicinal properties. It’s commonly used to make jams or jellies. This variety is selected primarily for medicine making and less for fruit production.
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Growing Conditions
USDA Growing Zone(s): Passionflower is hardy in zones 7-11.
If in a warm climate, this plant may stay evergreen. It is cold hardy, and likes to have mulch applied around the roots in the winter. It flourishes in rich, slightly acidic, sandy loam soil with full sun, moderate water and good drainage. It tolerates poor soil, making it a good choice for most gardens.
Passionflower will thrive in your garden if given preferred soil, sun, and water needs. As a vine it wants to be trellised along a south facing fence or support structure. It would be a beautiful plant to grow over an arbor to provide summer shade.
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Medicinal Uses
Passionflower ​is a beautiful vining plant that has traditionally been used to help with anxiety, depression, insomnia, and as a pain reliever and anti-spasmodic. Common varieties of passion flower are P. edulis and P. caerulea, however the P. incarnata variety has a long historical use for traditional medicine, native to the Southeastern U.S.
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Stories & Traditions
​Historically, passionflower has a lot of religious symbolism. The floral structure was seen as symbolizing the implements of the crucifixion, a symbolic reflection of the Passion of the Christ. The white and purple in the flower were said to symbolize heavenly purity, five stamens for the five wounds Jesus suffered, and three style for the three nails used to bind him to the cross. The species name incarnata means “made of flesh or flesh-colored.”
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​This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for medical treatment. Please consult your medical care provider before using herbal medicine.
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