How to Grow Bleeding Heart Vine
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Bleeding Heart Vine
Clerodendrum thomsoniae
vineBleeding heart vine is a tropical climbing vine known for its striking two-toned flowers featuring white calyces with deep red corollas that resemble a heart dripping with blood. It produces lush, dark green foliage and delicate, ornamental blooms that appear from summer through fall. This vine is prized as an ornamental houseplant or outdoor specimen in warm climates.
When should you plant Bleeding Heart Vine in your zone?
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Example Bleeding Heart Vine timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Bleeding Heart Vine
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Bleeding Heart Vine
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Bleeding Heart Vine dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 10-11; grows as a tender annual or houseplant in cooler zones
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Get my Bleeding Heart Vine timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
4-6 weeksYoung vine develops root system and establishes primary stems with heart-shaped leaves
Water regularly to keep soil moist, provide bright indirect light, install support structure or trellis early
Vegetative Growth
6-12 weeksVine grows vigorously, extending stems and producing dense foliage; shoots climb along support
Apply balanced fertilizer monthly, prune to encourage bushiness and branching, train vines onto trellis or support
Pre-flowering
2-3 weeksGrowth slows slightly as plant allocates energy to bud formation; leaf nodes thicken
Switch to higher phosphorus fertilizer to promote blooming, maintain warm temperatures (65-75°F), ensure adequate light
Flowering
8-16 weeks (summer to fall)Distinctive white and crimson heart-shaped flowers appear in clusters at branch tips; blooms continuously
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms, maintain consistent moisture and humidity, reduce nitrogen fertilizer
Winter Dormancy
3-4 monthsFlowering slows dramatically; plant may lose some leaves; growth nearly ceases
Reduce watering significantly but don't let soil completely dry, provide cooler temperatures (55-65°F), minimal fertilizing
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, prune heavily infested foliage
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Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, apply horticultural oil spray, isolate plant to prevent spread
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Manually remove scales, apply neem oil or horticultural oil, treat with insecticidal soap
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap, increase air circulation
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Remove infected foliage, spray with neem oil, reduce humidity slightly while maintaining plant health
Uses
Non-edible ornamental
CulinaryWhile not edible, bleeding heart vine is sometimes used in decorative floral arrangements for its striking, unique flower form. [source]
Indoor ornamental houseplant
HouseholdIdeal as a container plant for bright windowsills, conservatories, or hanging baskets indoors, adding tropical flair to home interiors. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe abundant nectar-rich flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it valuable for supporting wildlife. [source]
Cut flower arrangements
CraftThe distinctive two-toned blooms make striking, long-lasting additions to fresh floral arrangements and botanical displays. [source]
Traditional herbal use
MedicinalIn tropical regions, Clerodendrum species have been used in traditional medicine for various purposes, though not commonly in Western herbalism. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Bleeding heart vine is grown for ornamental flowers rather than harvested. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering throughout the season. In late fall or early spring, prune back overgrown or leggy vines by one-third to one-half to maintain shape and promote bushier growth.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The common name 'bleeding heart vine' comes from the flower's resemblance to a heart with blood dripping from it—the white calyx represents the heart outline and the deep red corolla the flowing blood.
- 🌱 Bleeding heart vine is native to West Africa and thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, making it popular in conservatories and greenhouses in cooler climates.
- 🌱 The plant is sometimes called 'glory bower' and belongs to the Lamiaceae family (mint family), though its flowers and growth habit are dramatically different from common herbs in that family.
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