Nevada Bleeding Heart Plant Care
Dicentra nevadensis Eastw.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dicentra nevadensis, the Sierra bleeding heart or Tulare County bleeding heart, is a perennial plant endemic to gravelly outcroppings in the Sierra Nevada peaks of Tulare and Fresno Counties in California.
Every 7–10 days
Partial to full shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Nevada Bleeding Heart?
Water Nevada 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 Nevada Bleeding Heart Native To?
What Is the Nevada Bleeding Heart?
Nevada Bleeding Heart (Dicentra nevadensis) belongs to the Papaveraceae family within the Dicentra genus. Nevada Bleeding Heart is native to gravelly outcroppings in the Sierra Nevada peaks of Tulare and Fresno Counties in California.
Nevada Bleeding Heart displays a mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Nevada Bleeding Heart produces heart-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, or red.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Nevada Bleeding Heart?
Dicentra nevadensis 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 Nevada Bleeding Heart Need?
Nevada Bleeding Heart thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Nevada 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 Nevada Bleeding Heart Prefer?
Dicentra nevadensis grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Nevada Bleeding Heart prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Nevada Bleeding Heart?
Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Nevada Bleeding Heart to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Nevada Bleeding Heart?
Feed Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada Bleeding Heart?
Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada Bleeding Heart?
Nevada 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 Nevada Bleeding Heart Need?
Nevada Bleeding Heart grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Nevada Bleeding Heart is native to gravelly outcroppings in the Sierra Nevada peaks of Tulare and Fresno Counties in California. In cooler regions, grow Nevada Bleeding Heart as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Nevada 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.
Nevada 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 nevadensis Eastw., family Papaveraceae (first published in Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. , ser. 4, 20: 143 (1931)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Nevada 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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