Plant Care Guide

Bleeding Heart Vine

Clerodendrum thomsoniae

The Bleeding Heart Vine is a striking tropical climber native to West Africa, admired for its clusters of red and white heart-shaped flowers that cascade from spring through fall. Unlike the perennial dicentra bleeding heart, this subtropical vine thrives with consistent warmth, light, and moisture. With the right balance of light, water, and humidity, you’ll enjoy months of showy blooms and glossy green foliage. Whether you’re growing indoors as a container specimen or outdoors on a trellis, this guide covers everything you need for reliable, long-term Bleeding Heart Vine care.

Watering Requirements

Bleeding Heart Vines prefer soil that is consistently moist but never soggy. Water thoroughly, then allow the top layer of soil to begin drying before watering again.

Watering Schedule

  • Spring/Summer (active growth): Water 2–3 times per week or when the top 1 inch feels dry.
  • Fall/Winter (dormancy): Water sparingly, just enough to prevent complete soil dryness.

Signs of Overwatering

  • Yellowing leaves followed by leaf drop
  • Mushy stems or root rot smell

Signs of Underwatering

  • Wilting foliage
  • Crispy leaf edges or complete leaf drop during heat spells

Pro Tips

Reduce watering during its dormant phase in winter. Resume regular watering once new growth appears in spring.

Light Requirements

This tropical vine thrives in bright, indirect light or partial shade. It can tolerate full sun outdoors if well-watered, but too much intense sun may scorch the leaves.

Ideal Placement

  • Indoors: South or west-facing window with sheer curtain filtering.
  • Outdoors: Part sun with afternoon shade or dappled light beneath a taller tree or pergola.

Too Much Light

  • Brown, scorched patches on leaves

Too Little Light

  • Weak growth and sparse or absent blooms

Pro Tips

For maximum flowering, provide at least 4–6 hours of bright light daily—blooms diminish quickly in low-light conditions.

Soil and Potting

Bleeding Heart Vines thrive in rich, well-draining soil that holds steady moisture without becoming waterlogged.

Best Soil Mix

  • 2 parts high-quality potting soil
  • 1 part perlite or coarse sand (for drainage)
  • 1 part compost or organic matter (nutrient boost)

Container Growing

  • Choose pots with generous drainage holes
  • Repot every 2–3 years or when roots outgrow their container
  • Keep vines slightly rootbound to encourage more blooms

Pro Tips

When repotting, trim back excess top growth—this balances the root-to-shoot ratio and encourages faster rebound.

Fertilizing

Regular feeding supports vigorous growth and flowering.

Fertilizer Schedule

  • Spring through Early Fall: Feed every 4–6 weeks with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer (10-10-10 or 20-20-20).
  • Winter: Hold off feeding until growth resumes.

Deficiency Clues

  • Pale leaves = nitrogen deficiency
  • Weak flowering = lack of phosphorus or calcium

Pro Tips

Supplement with a pinch of garden lime or calcium-based fertilizer—this helps strengthen blooms and extends flowering.

Pruning and Maintenance

Pruning keeps the vine full, healthy, and covered in flowers.

Pruning Guidelines

  • Trim vines back hard in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
  • Pinch tips during the growing season to encourage bushier growth.
  • Remove spent blooms to tidy appearance.

Maintenance Notes

  • Provide a trellis, arbor, or support for climbing.
  • Alternatively, prune into a bushy mound for compact containers.

Pro Tips

Since flowers form on new growth, annual pruning before spring ensures the heaviest blooms.

Common Problems and Solutions

Problem: No Blooms

  • Cause: Too little light or not rootbound enough
  • Fix: Increase light exposure; avoid oversized pots

Problem: Yellowing Leaves

  • Cause: Overwatering or poor drainage
  • Fix: Improve soil aeration, let top soil dry before watering

Problem: Leaf Drop in Winter

  • Cause: Dormancy from cooler temps
  • Fix: Reduce water, wait for spring regrowth

Problem: Pests (mealybugs, spider mites)

  • Cause: Dry indoor air or stress
  • Fix: Wipe leaves, mist regularly, treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap


⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Bleeding Heart Vine is non-toxic to pets and people, unlike the unrelated Dicentra bleeding heart, which is toxic.