蜜桃恋人

How to Grow Bleeding Hearts: The Compete Bleeding Heart Flower Guide

Botanical Name
Dicentra spp.
Plant Type
Flower
Sun Exposure
Shade
Soil pH
Neutral
Bloom Time
Spring
Flower Color
Pink
Red
White
Hardiness Zone
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Special Features
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Songbirds

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Planting, Growing, and Caring for Bleeding Hearts

Catherine Boeckmann

The old-fashioned 鈥渂leeding heart鈥 flower has long been a favorite perennial of the shady flower garden. This hardy plant blooms prolifically in early spring and finishes its growing cycle when warm weather sets in. Learn when to plant bleeding heart, how to care for it, and other tips in our growing guide.

About Bleeding Heart Flower

Once called the finest hardy plant of the 19th century, bleeding heart soon became as 鈥渃ommon as a wallpaper pattern.鈥 Today, this perennial is in favor because it is easy to grow and nothing surpasses its attention-getting form: graceful arching, 3-foot stems adorned with dangling pink, red, or white flower hearts. The hearts appear to be dripping (hence its most common name). 

Blooming in the spring, bleeding heart will grow up to 2 feet high and up to 30 inches wide. It finishes its growing cycle when warm weather sets in. The flowers fade, the leaves die back, and the plant goes dormant in late spring or early summer. 

Bleeding Hearts are woodland plants so they enjoy the partial shade of spring-flowering trees such as dogwoods and serviceberries. They won鈥檛 flower in deep shade. Near the house, mix with hostas and lamium for texture.


Image: S.O.E./Shutterstock

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Planting

Bleeding heart is hardy in Zones 2 to 9. Choose a site with part sun or light shade. Soil must be fertile like their woodland environment; add organic matter such as decayed leaves (leaf mold) or good compost. Ensure soil is well-draining but generally moist, never dried-out.
 

When to Plant Bleeding Heart

  • Plant tubers in spring after the threat of frost has passed or in the early fall. (See local frost dates.)

How to Plant Bleeding Heart

  • Space old-fashioned bleeding hearts about 24 inches apart.
  • Loosen the soil to 1 foot deep, mix in organic matter, and plant tubers about an inch below the surface; backfill and firm soil.
  • Water to soak the soil after planting.
  • Spread mulch (such as decayed leaves) around the plant to keep moisture in and weeds out.

Growing

  • In spring, apply a thin layer of compost, followed by mulch, to help retain moisture (and deter weeds). Soil rich with organic matter is all the fertilizer this plant needs.
  • Keep soil moist, but not soggy. If you plant is new, we would suggest watering weekly during the first season. But once established, only water if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. 
  • Deadheading faded flowers can prolong bloom of some varieties.
  • When the plant goes dormant, you may cut back the leaves and stems when they begin to yellow and wither away.  Leave 1 inch of the stalk to protect the crown during the winter months.
  • Bleeding heart does not like being moved. It will thrive for years without being divided or replanted. If transplanting is necessary, do it as soon as the first leaves poke out of the soil in early spring.
  • Propagate by division in early spring, just before growth starts or by root cuttings in autumn. Bleeding heart also self-sows prodigiously.
  • Plant shade-loving annuals like begonias or impatiens in the garden space where the bleeding heart grew.
  • Mix in shade-loving perennials that bloom in mid- to late summer to fill the space as bleeding heart goes dormant. Hosta and coral bells are examples.

Types

There are more than 20 species of Dicentra. Many new hybrids have been developed to increase heat tolerance and vigor. 

  • Dicentra spectabilis 鈥楪old Heart鈥: chartreuse foliage
  • D. spectabilis 鈥楢濒产补鈥: white flowers
  • D. spectabilis 鈥榁补濒别苍迟颈苍别鈥: white-tip cherry-red blooms on burgundy stems
  • D. eximia 鈥榋别蝉迟蹿耻濒鈥: native to North America; 鈥渇ringed鈥 (fern-leaf) foliage, with pale pink flowers;  12-18 inches tall
  • D. extimia 鈥楰ing of Hearts鈥: small, fern-leaf foliage, with rose-red flowers.
  • D. eximia 鈥楢耻谤辞谤补鈥: small, fern-leaf foliage, with white blooms.
  • D. cucullaria (aka 鈥淒utchman breeches鈥): native to North America; fragrant, yellow-tip white flowers resembling pantaloons; 4 to 12 inches tall


Image: The delicate pantaloon-shape blooms of Dutchman鈥檚 Breeches. Credit: Mike Truchon/Shutterstock
 

Harvesting

Entire stems of bleeding heart can be used as cut flowers. Vase life is up to 2 weeks.

The bleeding heart is lovely as a pressed flower. Pick flowers early in the morning after the dew has dried. Put them between two sheets of paper and place this bundle between the pages of a thick book.  After a couple of weeks you鈥檒l have perfect flat, papery hearts. See how to press flowers.

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Wit and Wisdom

  • This early-spring bloomer is also known as lady鈥檚 locket, lady鈥檚 heart, and lyre flower.
  • Dicentra spectabilis is native to northeastern China, Japan, and Korea.

See more plants that thrive in the shade!

Pests/Diseases

  • Bleeding heart is resistant to deer and rabbits.
  • Diseases: aster yellows; southern blight; fungal leaf spot; powdery mildew; Fusarium wilt; Verticillium wilt.
  • Pest: aphids

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About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it鈥檚 not surprising that she and The Old Farmer鈥檚 蜜桃恋人 found each other. She leads digital content for the 蜜桃恋人 website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann
 

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Comments

Valerie Detrojan (not verified)

6 months ago

I planted a bleeding heart 3 yrs ago. First year did great. Next two years it starts to grow. Think it might do something. Next day something got at it right down to soil level. Not sure what is eating it. Not sure if there is enough stem left. Thought I would try to cage it

Julie Moors (not verified)

6 months 1 week ago

I have a bleeding heart vine, I was wondering if you know of any good articles or something that you could possibly email me. It was given to me about 3 yrs ago as baby but only really watered it until this last year, when I realized that I just might have a lime green thumb. Got from fiance's mom, she has hers inside so that's where mine is. I live in NW Washington.

Joanne (not verified)

1 year 6 months ago

I had a Bleeding Heart for at least ten years. Big and Beautiful. Then several years ago it never came back. In the same area I have Lily of the Valley. Do you think the Lilies crowded it out? Thank you

Hi Joanne,

While lily of the valley is a beautiful late spring bloomer, it is an aggressive spreader. Its underground rhizomes will quickly take over an area if left unattended and will choke out weeds and other plants in its vicinity. It appears this is unfortunately what happened to your bleeding heart. You can attempt to dig up the rhizomes in that area of your property if there are any other plants near by you want to protect, but remember if any rhizomes remain, the plant will continue to spread each year.

It is often best to plant lily of the valley in an area where it can live on its own and prevent it from negatively affecting other plants.

Cherry-Ann Morton (not verified)

1 year 8 months ago

I leave the flowers to go to seed. This is the easiest way to increase and replenish these easy and beautiful plants. You can collect the seeds when ripe and sprinkle throughout your property.
The seedlings very soon grow to maturity.
I especially like the white variety and yes, they make lovely indoor, long lasting vase flowers.

Jackie Thacker (not verified)

4 years 5 months ago

Bleeding heart beautiful. I am 64 never seen this before. Where can I buy one. I live in Kentucky.

ELISE J MURPHY (not verified)

4 years 6 months ago

RECEIVED AS GIFT. NOW KNOW WHERE TO PLANT.THANK YOU. SINCERELY, ELISE MURPHY

Kate (not verified)

4 years 7 months ago

Thank you for article in today's email