Maypop (Passiflora incarnata)

Purple Passionflower “Maypop” is a fast-growing, perennial climbing vine native to the southeastern United States (zones 5-9). Maypop vines thrive in full to partial sun and require a trellis, fence, or arbor for support.

The vine dies back to the ground in the winter and regrows rapidly, reaching 10 to 20 feet in a single summer. This vine is famous for its large, intricate, tropical-looking purple flowers and its edible, egg-sized fruits. The plant likely gets its name from the hollow fruits that pop loudly when stepped on and/or the shoots that quickly “pop” out of the ground in May. The fruit has a sweet and tart tropical flavor. Maypop fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked down into jams, jellies and juices. When Maypop fruit ripens it falls from the vine on its own. Finding fallen fruit is fun for children and adults alike.