Purple Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
Last reviewed: June 2026
Passiflora incarnata is a native climbing vine found throughout the southeastern and south-central United States. This purple passionflower blooms from June through September and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
120"–240" H × 60"–120" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, AR, FL, GA and 16 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Purple passionflower is a vigorous native vine that produces intricate, showy purple and white flowers from summer through fall. This climbing plant can reach 10-20 feet in height and spreads readily by underground runners, making it excellent for covering fences, trellises, or arbors.
Growing Purple Passionflower
Grow Purple Passionflower in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 120 to 240 inches tall and spread 60 to 120 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Purple Passionflower takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Spreads aggressively by runners and can become invasive
- May look messy or overgrown without constant pruning
- Dies back completely in winter leaving bare support structures
Wildlife value
Host plant for gulf fritillary butterfly, zebra longwing butterfly.
The complex flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds for nectar, while serving as the primary host plant for Gulf Fritillary and Zebra Longwing butterfly caterpillars. The orange fruits that follow provide food for birds and small mammals.
Common questions
- Where is Passiflora incarnata native?
- Purple Passionflower is native to 21 states across the southeastern and south-central United States, from Pennsylvania south to Florida and west to Texas and Kansas.
- When does Purple Passionflower bloom?
- Passiflora incarnata typically blooms from June through September, producing distinctive purple and white flowers.
- What pollinators visit Purple Passionflower?
- The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The plant also serves as a host for several butterfly species including Gulf Fritillary and Zebra Longwing caterpillars.
- What growing conditions does Passiflora incarnata prefer?
- This adaptable vine tolerates full sun to partial sun and various moisture levels. It climbs by tendrils and can reach 10-25 feet in length.
- Is Purple Passionflower HOA-friendly?
- Purple Passionflower takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Purple Passionflower? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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