Bleeding Heart Vine Plant Care

Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Clerodendrum genus. Bleeding Heart Vine is native to tropical west Africa from Cameroon west to Senegal. Bleeding Heart Vine is also known as Bagflower, Glory Bower.

Bleeding Heart Vine displays a fast-growing, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Bleeding Heart Vine produces showy clusters of red, pink, or white tubular flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Bleeding Heart Vine every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Bleeding Heart Vine thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Clerodendrum thomsoniae tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Bleeding Heart Vine prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost. Good drainage is essential for Bleeding Heart Vine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Bleeding Heart Vine every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Bleeding Heart Vine is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Bleeding Heart Vine can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Bleeding Heart Vine while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Bleeding Heart Vine is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Bleeding Heart Vine can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pagoda flower plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Bleeding Heart Vine is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Bleeding Heart Vine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Bleeding Heart Vine is native to tropical west Africa from Cameroon west to Senegal. In cooler regions, grow Bleeding Heart Vine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.