07/22/2026
Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata is one of my favorite plants. I never knew her until I moved out of the city. Many people call it Maypop - either because the fruits make a popping sound when stepped on or squeezed OR because the flowers pop up in May OR because of the original Algonquin name for them. Who know!
Passiflora is a sedative nervine, bringing calm to the body. It can be quieting for those anxious thoughts. It has antidepressant qualities, along with antispasmodic and hypotensive qualities. It’s a good herb for making tea or tincture. I like to keep it dried and tinctured. Passiflora is said to be cooling and drying.
It is generally regarded as safe, but pregnant persons should consult a doctor before use.
I have never had SO many fruits on my plants before! Passionflower to me, has been a little hard to tame and contain. She’s wild. Which is so intriguing because she brings such a calm.
I always end up taking a few fruits a little earlier than is recommended because the gulf fritillary caterpillars come and start eating (that’s their only food source, so I don’t complain). But I finally got one that is light green and wrinkly! I think it would be better if it was even a little more yellow.
I have potted some this year and they’re doing well. So I hope to overwinter them and have them for sale in the spring.
