Bleeding Heart Plant: How to Grow This Perennial Twining Vine?

Heart-shaped flowers in a garden are a sight to behold! I was in awe the first time I saw these perennial flowers in my neighbour’s garden, and I knew these spring flowers would be my next gardening project. 

This pollinator-friendly plant is an evergreen garden plant, similar to a wide variety of honeysuckle flowers, and is popularly grown as a garden fence and trellis.  

Its vibrant pink and white bloom trailing across the garden is the perfect upgrade that your garden needs coming spring, and the cherry on top is that it comes back every year without the need to be replanted again and again. 

If you are also fascinated by the Bleeding Heart plant, dive in and learn about this trailing vine. 

What is a Bleeding Heart Plant? A Tropical Evergreen Vine 

Part of the Fumitory family, this perennial trailing vine is a spring favourite that produces heart-shaped flowers in pink, red, and white colours. 

Native to the region of East Asia, this pollinator-friendly plant is also called the ‘Asian Bleeding Heart’. 

Much like the dianthus flower, the bleeding heart plant is also considered a hummingbird flower. This perennial plant grows up to 36 inches tall and is popularly used as a garden fence due to its bright-colored flowers.

Essentially symbolising the idea of love and romance, all three different colors represent something different. White means purity, pink symbolizes affection, and red represents deep, passionate love. 

Associated with many cultural folklores about lost love and emotional surrender, the first step to understanding the inherent beauty of these flowers is to explore their taxonomy, given below: 

Botanical Name	Lamprocapnos spectabilis,
Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Papaverales
Family	Fumariaceae Marquis
Genus	Lamprocapnos Endl.
Species	Lamprocapnos spectabilis (L.) Fukuhara

What Are the Different Types of Bleeding Heart Flowers? 

The bleeding heart flowers grow in many different colors with different temperature tolerances, and they also do not bloom at the same time of the year. 

Although I am a fan of the pink ones, here is a list of the most popular bleeding heart flowers that can be grown in your garden:  

Image	Name and Description
	Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Alba’ Common name: White Bleeding Heart Bloom time: April to June  Hardiness Zone: USDA 3-9  Flower Colour: White  Height: 2-3 feet
	Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Gold Heart’ Common name: Golden Heart Bleeding Heart  Bloom time: April to June  Hardiness Zone: USDA 3-9   Flower Colour: Pink Height: 1-3 feet
	Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Valentine’ Common name: Valentine Bleeding Heart  Bloom time: May to June  Hardiness Zone: USDA 3-9   Flower Colour: Red  Height: 2-3 feet
	Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Ruby Gold’ Common name: Ruby Gold Bleeding Heart  Bloom time: May to June  Hardiness Zone: USDA 4-8  Flower Colour: Pink  Height: 1-3 feet
	Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘White Gold’ Common name: White Gold Bleeding Heart   Bloom time: April to June  Hardiness Zone: USDA 3-9  Flower Colour:  White  Height: 2-3 feet

Also Read: What are the Different Types of Lettuce? Uses, Cultivation, and More

How Can I Grow the Bleeding Heart Plant at Home? 

The bleeding heart plants are shade-loving perennials and are easy to grow at home without hassle. 

I have been growing this tall flower in my garden for a while now, and let me break down the easy growing guide into even simpler steps, starting with growth requirements for the plant: 

Soil Type	Loamy, clay or sandy( well- drained) pH- 6.0 – 7.0
Water Requirements	1-2 times per week
Sunlight	4-6 hours of sun and afternoon shade
Fertiliser	All-purpose slow-release fertiliser
Hardiness	3-9 USDA
Planting Time	Early spring

Planting using the bleeding heart seeds is a time-consuming process. I use the transplants as the root establishment is much faster: 

1. Take a pot with sufficient drainage holes that is at least 12 inches deep and wide.

2. Fill ⅓ of the pot with the soil mix for the bleeding heart plant. 

3. Place the transplant roots in the pot, cover the pot with soil, and pat it well. 

4.  Make sure that the crown is not submerged under the soil.

5. If planting directly in the ground, ensure the plants are placed at least 24 inches apart to avoid overcrowding. 

6. In the initial growing stage, water the plant 2 times per week, keeping the soil moist, not soggy. The bleeding heart plant is not drought-tolerant, so do not let the soil dry out. 

7. The plant thrives in partial to full sun, and direct sun exposure for a long time can cause yellowing of leaves before its time. 

8. Much like the Hyssop flower, the bleeding heart vine does not require fertiliser, but in case of dire need, feed it with an all-purpose fertiliser once during the growing stage. 

Soil Mix* 2 part all-purpose soil mix. 1 part perlite – improves drainage 1 part peat moss – increases the water retention 1 part compost – improves soil health Mix all of these to prepare your bleeding heart plant soil mix.

How to Care for the Bleeding Heart Vine? 

The bleeding heart plant care is not something one should worry about, as once established, these plants do not require constant attention, just regular watering and proper sunlight. 

I have listed a few things that I take care of while maintaining the bleeding heart flowers: 

Sunlight	Pruning
I place the plant in partial shade and protect it from afternoon sunlight.	Although not a necessary step, deadheading the bleeding heart plants can make them look tidy and enhance their appearance. Cut back the yellow and dead foliage just above the soil line, especially during dormancy when the leaves naturally turn yellow.
Water	Pest Infestation
Water twice every week during the growing stage and reduce it to once every week as the plant grows. Ensure the soil is constantly moist, not soggy, as waterlogging can lead to root rot.	The bleeding heart plant is pest-hardy, but overly moist conditions can lead to pests like aphids, spider mites, and more. Common signs of pests are webbing of leaves, sticky residue, and curled leaves. Treat them with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Gardening Care Tip 

Always wear gloves while handling the bleeding heart flowers, as they have harmful toxins and can cause skin infections. 

Also read: Verbena Plant Care: Propagation, Types, and Common Problems.

How to Propagate the Bleeding Heart Flower? 

Propagating the bleeding heart plant can be done using 2 methods: seeds and root division, but I would advise root cuttings as the former will take a much longer time. 

It is generally advised to propagate the bleeding heart every few years to manage the plant’s size and grow more of this spring beauty. 

Here is a simplified version of propagating the bleeding heart flowers using the root division: 

1. The best time to propagate the bleeding heart plant is during late fall or early spring. 

2. Select a healthy plant that has reached maturity. 

3. Water the plant well the day before to make sure it is well-hydrated, and the roots do not stress much in the process. 

4. Now, carefully dig up the soil and remove the plant gently without damaging the roots. 

5. Using a garden shovel or any other tool, divide the roots into smaller sections. Each section should have an established root. 

6.  Place these divisions in a well-draining soil in a partially shaded area. 

7. Water it weekly and keep the soil moist. The plant will start to grow in a few weeks.

Common User Concerns and Solutions About the Bleeding Heart Flowers

Growing bleeding hearts vine is easy and low-effort, but first-time gardeners often face issues, and I did too, which are often not concerning at all.

While scrolling through Reddit, I came across some common user concerns that everyone faces initially. 

Take a look and avoid small mistakes: 

1. My bleeding heart is dying!? The bleeding heart plant in the post has entered dormancy, which is natural for perennial plants, hence the yellow leaves. Generally, it is advised to prune and remove the dead foliage of the plant during dormancy to maintain a cleaner look and prevent diseases. Water only when the soil dries out completely in this period.

2. How big does a bleeding heart get? The bleeding heart bush usually grows up to 3 feet tall and wide when planted under ideal growing conditions.

Fun Facts About the Asian Bleeding Heart Plant 

The bleeding heart bush has been a part of myths and stories for centuries, which have not been a part of the discussion, but my curiosity and research led me to the following fun and important facts about these flowers that you will love! 

1. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, the bleeding heart plant is considered toxic to both pets and humans. 

2. There is a Japanese legend associated with the flower in which a prince takes his life after getting rejected by a maiden, who later realises her love for him. The first bleeding heart flower bloomed from the place he fell, making the flower a symbol of love and loss. 

3. A popular choice amongst the youngsters, the bleeding heart tattoo symbolises love and emotional vulnerability. 

4. There is a popular band named ‘Bleeding Heart’, but it is not associated with or inspired by this perennial plant.  

Concluding Remarks

I believe the bleeding heart plant is a unique work of nature. With its unique design and low-maintenance demands, it can be grown by all the anthophiles so easily, whether you are an expert or a beginner. 

Flowers, anyway, elevate the aesthetic appeal of the garden, and when it is in the shape of a heart, no plant comes closer. These perennial shrubs, which are also deer-resistant, come back year after year, welcoming spring in the best way possible. 

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