How to Grow and Care for Bleeding Heart Plant

If you love flowers that have a romantic and delicate appearance, you might want to learn how to grow bleeding heart plants in your garden. This perennial plant produces heart-shaped flowers that hang from arching stems in spring and early summer. In this article, we will show you how to grow and care for this beautiful plant with the help of New York Garden, a trusted source for gardening tips and advice.

Overview

Bleeding heart plant is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the poppy family [1]. It is native to Asia and has been cultivated for its ornamental value in many parts of the world. Here is an overview of some of its characteristics:

Common Name	Bleeding heart, common bleeding heart, fern-leaf bleeding heart
Botanical Name	Lamprocapnos spectabilis (formerly Dicentra spectabilis)
Plant Type	Herbaceous, perennial
Sun Exposure	Partial, shade
Mature Size	1–3 ft. tall, 2–3 ft. wide
Soil pH	Acidic, neutral
Soil Type	Moist, well-drained
Flower Color	Pink, white, red
Toxicity	Toxic to people [2], toxic to pets

Types of Bleeding Heart Plant

Bleeding heart plants are fascinating to look at, with their heart-shaped flowers that dangle from long stems. They come in several types, which vary in size, color, and blooming period. Here are some of the common types of bleeding heart plants:

Amore Pink: This is a perennial that grows well in partial sun in zones five through nine. It has soft pink flowers that can be seen from late spring until late summer. It grows in a clump and reaches about 14 inches in height. It makes a good edging plant for any garden.
Aurora: This is a plant that produces pure white flowers, sometimes with a hint of pink around the edges. It can grow in any type of soil and sun, and it is hardy in zones two through nine. It has a long blooming season and attracts bees and butterflies.
Burning Hearts: This is a fern-like plant that has dark red or pink flowers with lighter centers. It is hardy in zones four to nine and prefers partial shade. It attracts hummingbirds and can grow up to 15 inches tall.
Candy Hearts: This is a plant that has pink and white flowers that resemble candy hearts. It is hardy in zones three through nine and likes partial shade. It blooms all summer long and can grow up to 12 inches tall.
Dutchman’s Breeches: This is a plant that has white flowers with yellow tips that look like upside-down pants. It is hardy in zones three to eight and resists deer and rabbits. It grows well in moist, shady areas and can reach up to 10 inches tall.
Fringed Bleeding Heart: This is a plant that has pink flowers with white edges that have a fringed appearance. It is hardy in zones three to nine and likes partial shade. It blooms from spring to fall and can grow up to 18 inches tall.
Gold Heart: This is a plant that has pink flowers with white tips and yellow-green foliage. It is hardy in zones three through nine and likes partial shade. It attracts hummingbirds and can grow up to two feet tall.
King of Hearts: This is a plant that has deep pink flowers with white centers and blue-green foliage. It is hardy in zones five through nine and likes partial shade. It blooms from late spring to frost and can grow up to 10 inches tall.
Langtrees: This is a plant that has white flowers with purple dots on the petals and gray-green foliage. It is hardy in zones three through eight and likes partial shade. It blooms from spring to early summer and can grow up to 18 inches tall.
Pearl: This is a plant that has white flowers with pink centers and green foliage. It is hardy in zones three through eight and likes partial shade. It blooms from spring to early summer and can grow up to 18 inches tall.

How to Care for Bleeding Heart Plant

Temperature and Humidity

This plant does well in high humidity and prefers temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. You'll probably see the greenery turning yellow as the summer heat increases. This is an entirely typical indication that the plant is going dormant to conserve its energy.

Soil

The humus-rich, wet, well-draining soil with abundance of organic matter is what bleeding heart favors. The ideal soil pH ranges from mildly acidic to neutral. If your soil isn't biologically rich, it's best to stir a few inches of compost into it before planting.

Water

It prefers a soil that is just slightly damp. It can't stand dry or wet soils very well. When the top inch of soil has dried up throughout the growing season, water, even during summer dormancy, to keep the roots wet. But watch out that the soil doesn't remain soggy, as this can result in root rot.

Fertilizer

The condition of your soil will determine how often to fertilize bleeding heart plants because they are not heavy feeders. It's possible that you won't need to feed anything if your soil is rich, organic, and regularly amended. You can use a general-purpose, slow-release fertilizer in the spring if your soil is poor. Additionally, as bleeding heart is a woodland plant, it benefits from a top coat of leaf mold.

Light

Although it can tolerate full shade, bleeding heart performs best in partial shade. Direct sunlight may shorten the plant's blooming season by causing it to go dormant earlier.

How to Grow Bleeding Heart

Put the seeds in a pot of soil to start them inside. The pot should be placed in a plastic bag and frozen for six to eight weeks. Reintroduce the plant to light and warmer conditions after removing the pot. The seeds will be able to germinate and sprout as a result of the temperature shift and sunlight exposure.

Although not invasively, bleeding hearts also frequently self-seed in the garden. It is possible to carefully dig up and transplant the little seedlings.

Potting and Repotting Bleeding Heart

Bleeding heart plants thrive in containers, but the environment must be favorable. When potting, choose a sizable container with drainage holes—at least a 12-inch pot. Clay that hasn't been glazed is a suitable material for letting extra moisture escape through the walls. Use a high-quality potting mix that drains effectively.

In a big container, bleeding heart can survive for four to five years before getting root-bound and requiring to be replanted. Your plant should be divided or moved to a larger pot that can accommodate its root ball with a few extra inches between it and the container walls. Remove the plant from its old container with care, then set it in the new one at the same depth. Put potting soil all around it, then water it well.

FAQs

Are bleeding hearts simple to care for?

Bleeding heart will probably prosper and be simple to maintain if the right conditions are present, such as warm temperatures, rich and moist soil, and adequate shade. It may also self-seed in your garden to increase its population.

What distinguishes bleeding heart vine from bleeding heart bush?

The perennial plant known as common bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis), which is indigenous to Asia, is the same as bleeding heart bush. The tropical bleeding heart, also known as the bleeding heart vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae), is a distinct species that originated in Africa and has distinctive appearance, growth requirements, and hardiness.

Can bleeding hearts be grown indoors?

Bleeding heart plants can be grown inside if you mimic their ideal growing conditions. It's important to keep bleeding heart plants away from heating vents and cold gusts indoors because these conditions can make the plant struggle and possibly fail to bloom.

SOURCES

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