Passionflower 'Incense' Hybrid

Passiflora incarnata x cincinnata ‘Incense’

$28.00 Sold out
USDA Zones 7–10 Full Sun Matures 6–8 Feet

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Roots wrapped in moist soil and padded for safe transit
Grown and shipped from our nursery in Aiken, SC
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The Full Story

If you’re looking for a vine that stops visitors mid-stride and earns its keep in the summer garden, Passiflora ‘Incense’ delivers with operatic flair. This vigorous perennial passionflower—an extraordinary hybrid between our beloved native Passiflora incarnata (Maypop) and the exotic Passiflora cincinnata of South America—brings together the best traits of both parents. The result is a deeply fragrant, intensely purple bloom with intricate, frilled filaments that look almost too ornate to be real.

A Southeastern Garden Standout

In warm climates—especially across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic—‘Incense’ behaves like it owns the place. Once the weather heats up, the vine produces a long succession of large, show-stopping flowers, each one a magnet for butterflies, native bees, and curious neighbors. While it does produce only a small amount of fruit, the real performance is in the blossoms.

Growth Habit & Garden Use

This fast-growing vine climbs using wiry tendrils, quickly weaving its way through trellises, arbors, porches, and fences. Give it full sun, warm soils, and a sturdy support, and it will reward you with a luxurious curtain of jewel-toned flowers from early summer until frost.

Despite its exotic appearance, ‘Incense’ maintains the toughness of its native parent. In many Southeastern gardens—including here in Aiken, South Carolina—it returns reliably each year when planted in a protected, well-drained spot.

Why Gardeners Love It

  • Extra-large, richly fragrant purple flowers
  • Pollinator-friendly—beloved by Gulf Fritillaries and other butterflies
  • Heat-loving and long-blooming
  • Perennial in much of the Southeast (typically hardy to Zone 7 with protection)
  • Ideal for sunny walls, mailboxes, pergolas, and cottage-style gardens
Will this plant thrive in your zone?

Plant Profile
At a glance
Hardiness
USDA Zones 7–10
Sun
Full Sun
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile
Mature size
Height 6–8 Feet · Spread 8–10 Feet
Growth rate
Fast
Seasonality
Dies back, depends on zone
Flower, Fruit & Foliage

Flowers

  • Appearance: The flowers are dramatic and show-stopping, with large, fragrant blooms measuring 4–5 inches across. They feature a central crown of intricate, thread-like filaments in shades of deep purple, blending into lighter lavender or white tones toward the tips. The base of the flower includes five sepals and five petals, also tinged with purple hues, creating a striking, layered effect.
  • Fragrance: Sweet and intoxicating, the fragrance is especially noticeable on warm days, attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
  • Bloom Time: Flowers appear prolifically from late spring through early fall, adding continuous visual and sensory appeal.

Foliage

  • Appearance: The leaves are deeply lobed, typically divided into three to five segments, resembling an open hand. They are bright to medium green with a glossy surface, providing a lush, tropical look.
  • Texture: Smooth and slightly leathery to the touch, with a vibrant sheen that enhances their ornamental quality.
  • Growth Habit: The foliage grows densely on the plant's fast-growing, vining stems, creating a rich, leafy backdrop for the vibrant flowers.
  • Seasonality: Semi-evergreen in warmer climates, with leaves persisting year-round, while in cooler zones, the foliage dies back in winter but regrows from the roots in spring.
Care

Read our full care guide

Planting Requirements

  • Light: Thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Aim for at least 6–8 hours of sunlight daily for the best flowering performance.
  • Soil: Prefers well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Enrich sandy or clay soils with organic matter to improve texture and drainage.
  • Planting Time: Plant in spring or early summer after the last frost to allow roots to establish in warm weather.

Watering

  • Maintain consistently moist soil, especially during the first growing season.
  • Once established, the plant is moderately drought-tolerant but benefits from regular watering during hot, dry periods. Avoid waterlogged conditions.

Fertilization

  • Feed monthly during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
  • Reduce feeding in fall and winter when the plant is not actively growing.

Pruning

  • Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead or weak growth and to encourage vigorous new shoots.
  • Lightly trim throughout the growing season to control size and maintain shape, if necessary.

Support

  • Provide a sturdy trellis, arbor, or fence for the plant to climb. This hybrid is a vigorous grower and requires ample vertical space to sprawl.

Pests and Diseases

  • Watch for common pests such as aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. Treat infestations with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
  • Ensure good air circulation around the plant to prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew.

Special Features

  • Flowers: Show-stopping, fragrant purple blooms with intricate, frilly filaments that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Blooms typically appear from late spring through early fall.
  • Foliage: Glossy, lobed green leaves provide an attractive backdrop to the flowers.
  • Fruit: May produce small, egg-shaped fruit in warm climates, though fruit set is variable and often less abundant than other passionflower species.

Winter Care

  • Hardy in USDA zones 7–10. In colder zones, protect the roots with a thick layer of mulch or grow the plant in a container and bring it indoors during winter.
  • For container-grown plants, place them in a bright, cool indoor location and water sparingly during dormancy.

Additional Tips

  • This hybrid is known for its vigor and can spread rapidly in ideal conditions. Monitor growth to prevent it from overwhelming nearby plants.
  • Ideal for pollinator gardens, fences, or trellised displays.

By providing proper care, Passiflora incarnata x cincinnata 'Incense' will reward you with stunning flowers and lush greenery, making it a focal point in any garden.

Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants

From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.

Woodlanders Growing Process

Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.

Sustainable Growing Practices

Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.

At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.
Grown in Aiken, South Carolina
At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.

All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.

Learn more about Woodlanders
Healthy plants, ready to thrive
Success, made simple
Healthy plants, ready to thrive

Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.

Read the care guide
Also found in
As written on The Node
Living Fences: A Living Legacy of Boundaries, Beauty, and Biodiversity
Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect upon delivery

All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.

Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
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