Passiflora suberosa
 
Common Names Corkystem Passionflower, Devil’s Pumpkin, Wild Passionfruit, Indigo Berry
 
Zones 9B–11
 
A fast-growing native vine of South Florida, the Caribbean, and tropical America, Passiflora suberosa is a stealthy powerhouse in butterfly gardens and restoration zones. Its corky stems, variable foliage, and inconspicuous greenish flowers belie its ecological importance—it’s a top larval host for Gulf Fritillaries, Zebra Longwings, and Julia butterflies. Found naturally in hammocks, thickets, and disturbed sites, it thrives in poor soils and high humidity.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Twining or creeping vine; climbs or sprawls; roots at nodes
Height: Typically 6–20 ft (1.8–6 m); may reach 30 ft with support
Leaves: Alternate; highly variable; entire to deeply three-lobed; shiny green; petioles with paired glands
Bark: Corky on older stems; green and glabrous when young
Flowers: Small; greenish-yellow; solitary or paired in leaf axils; no petals; bloom late summer through winter
Fruit: Berry; green to indigo-black when ripe; ~1 cm; pulp dark blue; dispersed by birds
Ecology: Larval host for multiple butterfly species; attracts bees and ants; fruits feed birds; may self-seed prolifically2
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to part shade
Watering: Moderate; drought tolerant once established
Soil: Sandy, loamy, or limestone-based; well-drained; nutrient-poor
Temperature: Sensitive below 30°F (–1°C); regrows in spring
Humidity: High tolerance; thrives in tropical and subtropical climates
Propagation: Seed or cuttings; seeds germinate readily
Tolerance: Heat, drought, urban conditions; low salt tolerance
 
Landscape Use Ideal for butterfly gardens, fence lines, and restoration buffers. Use as a larval anchor in native pollinator beds or to soften vertical structures. Pairs well with Senna mexicana var. chapmanii, Koanophyllon villosum, and Lantana involucrata. Monitor spread in sensitive areas.