Passiflora serves as a "host" plant for the eggs and larvae of Gulf Fritillary, Banded Orange Heliconian, Julia Heliconian, Isabella's Heliconian, Variegated Fritillary, Mexican Fritillary, Zebra Heliconian, Erato Heliconian, and the Mexican Silverspot. Given this abundance the chances are very high that if you can grow Passiflora then you will attract one of these fine creatures to your garden.

Passiflora manicata is relatively short twining vine that does best if given support on a trellis or arbor. It grows to about 10 feet long and can be grown in Zone 9. It does need to be protected from frost. If it does die back during winter, it will behave as a deciduous perennial and simply recover by mid spring. Try it in a container.

This plant attracts adult butterflies - Gulf Fritillary in particular (Agraulis vanillae) - a truly gorgeous butterfly with bright orange with black markings that is entirely dependent upon garden plants for its survival. Given a choice between red and purple flowering Passiflora, it may choose the red-flowering Passiflora.