Image: AI generated
Bleeding Heart Plant Care
Lamprocapnos spectabilis (L.) Fukuhara
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant, with its delicate heart-shaped pink and white flowers, originally hails from Eastern Asia. Its unique bleeding-heart shape and vibrant colors make it a prized addition to the collections of plant enthusiasts seeking to add a touch of whimsy and elegance to their gardens.
Every 3–7 days
Bright indirect
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Bleeding Heart?
Water Bleeding Heart every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 3 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Bleeding Heart Native To?
What Is the Bleeding Heart?
Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) belongs to the Papaveraceae family within the Lamprocapnos genus. Bleeding Heart is native to Siberia, China, and northern Japan, North America. Bleeding Heart is also known as Asian Bleeding Heart, Dutchman's Breeches, Lady's Locket.
Bleeding Heart displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Bleeding Heart produces heart-shaped pink and white flowers that dangle in a row from arching stems.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Bleeding Heart?
Lamprocapnos spectabilis requires watering every 3–7 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 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Bleeding Heart Need?
Bleeding Heart thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Bleeding Heart in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bleeding Heart Prefer?
Lamprocapnos spectabilis grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Bleeding Heart prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bleeding Heart?
Well-draining soil mix. Good drainage is essential for Bleeding Heart to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Bleeding Heart?
Feed Bleeding Heart every 3 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 3 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 Bleeding Heart?
Divide clumps every 3-4 years in early spring. 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 Bleeding Heart?
Bleeding Heart can be propagated through divide clumps in spring or fall, or sow seeds in early spring.
Is the 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 animals such as cats and dogs. Contains isoquinoline alkaloids.
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 Bleeding Heart?
Bleeding Heart is susceptible to slugs, snails. 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 Bleeding Heart Need?
Bleeding Heart grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3 – 9. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Bleeding Heart is native to Siberia, China, and northern Japan, North America.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3 – 9
Keep exploring plants
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 Lamprocapnos genus (family Papaveraceae) — search all Lamprocapnos species in the plant lookup.
Bleeding Heart thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lamprocapnos spectabilis (L.) Fukuhara, family Papaveraceae (first published in Pl. Syst. Evol. 206: 415 (1997)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: 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.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3 – 9, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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