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Native Plant Society of Texas

Yellow Passionflower

Passiflora lutea

Other common name(s):

Yellow Passion Vine, Yellow Passion-flower

Family:

Passifloraceae (Passion Flower Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie
Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Llano Uplift
Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Vine

Height

10
to
15
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Limestone, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow, Green

Bloom Season

Summer

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Fall Color, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Bees

Maintenance

Does not spread quite as vigorously as other passionflowers. Growth can be controlled by trimming or pulling suckers in smaller spaces. It is happy in a container, will grow on a trellis or fence or sprawl on the ground in butterfly or pollinator garden. In cold areas, containers may need to be brought indoors over the winter. Leaves turn yellow in the fall. Propagation: seed, runners.

Comments

Blooms March-November. A climbing or trailing vine. The bright green leaves are wider than they are long and softly lobed in three parts. Attractive, small, greenish-yellow blooms are followed by purple or black berries. Larval host: Julia, Gulf Coast and Mexican Fritillary, Zebra and Crimson-Patch Longwing butterflies and Passion Flower Bee.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Passiflora lutea var. glabriflora

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Stem Cutting Remove the leaves from the lower half of each cutting, being careful not to damage the stem. This will help to prevent rot and will encourage root growth from the nodes. Dip end of stem in rooting hormone. Fill a clean pot with a well-draining potting mix, such as a blend of peat, perlite, and vermiculite or a commercial seed starting mix. Make a hole in the center of the potting mix with a pencil or your finger, and insert the bottom of the cutting, ensuring that at least one node is buried beneath the surface. Keep the cutting in a warm, humid environment until it establishes roots, covering with plastic if needed. Place the pot in an area that receives bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause the cuttings to overheat under the plastic covering. After 4-6 weeks, gently tug on the cutting to check for resistance, which indicates rooting. You can also look for signs of growth, such as new leaves. After roots have developed, acclimate the cutting to the outside environment by gradually removing the plastic covering for a short period each day over a week. Then, transplant the cutting into a larger pot with fresh potting mix or into your garden after ensuring it is well-rooted and showing signs of growth. Spring or early summer, select a healthy yellow passionflower with new growth. Choose semi-ripe stems that have not yet become woody and take cuttings about 6-8 inches long, ensuring there are at least 2-3 nodes (where leaves attach) on each cutting. Use a sharp, sterile pair of pruners or scissors to make clean cuts. 1) https://earthone.io/plant/passiflora%20lutea 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Passiflora_lutea.html
Seed Scarification Sow seeds after they've been soaked in water for 24 hours to enhance germination rates. For optimal growth, provide yellow passionflower with a trellis or support for climbing and ensure it's placed in a location with adequate sunlight and protection from harsh conditions. https://www.picturethisai.com/care/Passiflora_lutea.html

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason