Pacific Bleeding Heart Plant Care
Dicentra formosa (Haw.) Walp.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dicentra formosa is a species of flowering plant in the poppy family, Papaveraceae. With its fern-like foliage and inflorescence of drooping pink, purple, yellow or cream "hearts", this species is native to the United States' Pacific Northwest and West Coast of North America.
Every 7–10 days
Partial to full shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Pacific Bleeding Heart?
Water Pacific Bleeding Heart every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Pacific Bleeding Heart Native To?
What Is the Pacific Bleeding Heart?
Pacific Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa) belongs to the Papaveraceae family within the Dicentra genus. Pacific Bleeding Heart is native to the United States' Pacific Northwest and West Coast of North America. Pacific Bleeding Heart is also known as Western Bleeding Heart, Wild Bleeding Heart.
Pacific Bleeding Heart displays a mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Pacific Bleeding Heart produces heart-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, or red.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Pacific Bleeding Heart?
Dicentra formosa requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Pacific Bleeding Heart Need?
Pacific Bleeding Heart thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Pacific Bleeding Heart in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Pacific Bleeding Heart Prefer?
Dicentra formosa grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Pacific Bleeding Heart prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Pacific Bleeding Heart?
Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Pacific Bleeding Heart to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Pacific Bleeding Heart?
Feed Pacific Bleeding Heart every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Pacific Bleeding Heart?
Divide and replant every 3-4 years. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Pacific Bleeding Heart?
Pacific Bleeding Heart can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to squirrel corn plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Pacific Bleeding Heart Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Pacific Bleeding Heart?
Pacific Bleeding Heart is susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Pacific Bleeding Heart Need?
Pacific Bleeding Heart grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Pacific Bleeding Heart is native to the United States' Pacific Northwest and West Coast of North America. In cooler regions, grow Pacific Bleeding Heart as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Pacific Bleeding Heart is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Dicentra genus — compare its care with other Dicentra species on PlantoScan.
Dicentra is part of the Papaveraceae plant family — browse all Papaveraceae genera and species.
Pacific Bleeding Heart copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Dicentra formosa (Haw.) Walp., family Papaveraceae (first published in Repert. Bot. Syst. (Walpers) i. 118.) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pacific Bleeding Heart is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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