With over 500 different species out there, passionflowers (*Passiflora*) come in all shapes and sizes. But it’s not just their stunning blooms that vary—their safety levels do, too. If you’re planning on adding one to your garden, it’s super important to know which ones are friendly and which ones have a bit of a “bite.”
Edible Varieties
The good news? Most passionflowers are actually non-toxic. In fact, quite a few of them are totally edible. You’ve probably even enjoyed them before in the form of passion fruit juice or nectar!
Toxic Varieties
On the flip side, some species contain trace amounts of hydrocyanic acid (cyanide). You’ll mostly find this in varieties belonging to the *Deidamioides* subgenus. If anyone (or a pet) accidentally eats parts of these plants, it can lead to some pretty nasty symptoms, including:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Headaches
