Clerodendrum Bleeding Heart Care: A Complete Guide for Beginners

Bleeding heart vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae), also known as glory bower, is a stunning tropical climber that produces heart-shaped blooms with white calyxes and vibrant red corollas. Despite sharing a similar name with the herbaceous perennial bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis), this fast-growing vine from the mint family is entirely different. With proper care, this showy plant can transform your garden or indoor space with its glossy foliage and unique flowers. This guide provides everything beginners need to know about growing and caring for this beautiful climbing plant.

What is Clerodendrum Bleeding Heart?

Clerodendrum bleeding heart is a tender perennial vine native to tropical West Africa. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is characterized by its twining growth habit and spectacular blooms that resemble tiny hearts. This plant can reach impressive heights of up to 15 feet when given proper support, making it perfect for trellises, pergolas, or as a dramatic hanging basket specimen.

Key Features

• Growth habit: Fast-growing vine that reaches 15 feet tall with a spread of 3-5 feet
• Foliage: Glossy, dark green, oval-shaped leaves
• Flowers: Distinctive bicolored blooms with white calyxes (resembling bags) and bright red corollas that emerge from the center
• Blooming period: Late spring through summer on new growth
• Hardiness: USDA zones 9-12; grown as a houseplant in cooler regions
• Plant type: Perennial vine from the mint family
• Special characteristics: Non-toxic to humans and pets, attracts butterflies, light fragrance

Planting Clerodendrum Bleeding Heart

When it comes to planting your clerodendrum, choosing the right time, location, and soil is essential for ensuring healthy growth and beautiful blooms.

Best Time to Plant Clerodendrum Bleeding Heart

The best time to plant your clerodendrum bleeding heart is in the spring when the risk of frost has passed and temperatures are consistently warm. This will give the plant plenty of time to establish roots before the heat of summer.

Choosing the Right Location

Clerodendrum prefers a spot with bright light. If planting outdoors, ensure the location has full or partial sun. Indoors, a south-facing window is ideal. Make sure there’s enough space for the vine to climb, as it can grow quite large, especially if you’re growing it in the ground.

Soil Preparation

For optimal growth, clerodendrum requires well-draining, moist soil. A loamy or sandy soil enriched with organic matter is perfect. Avoid planting in soil that tends to retain water, as this can lead to root rot. Ensure the pH level is slightly acidic to neutral (around 6.0-7.5).

Read more: 3 Essential Steps for Soil Preparation

How to Plant Clerodendrum Bleeding Heart

To plant your clerodendrum:

1. Dig a hole that’s twice as wide as the root ball.

2. Place the plant in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.

3. Fill in the hole with prepared soil, gently pressing down around the base.

4. Water thoroughly to settle the soil.

Container Planting Tips

If growing in containers, choose a pot that is large enough to accommodate the vine’s growth, ideally with multiple drainage holes. Use a high-quality potting mix and ensure the container is placed in a sunny spot. Be sure to water regularly, as containers dry out faster than garden soil.

Growing Clerodendrum Bleeding Heart

Once your clerodendrum is planted, it’s time to care for it as it grows. Below are key aspects of care that will help your plant thrive.

Watering

Clerodendrum loves moisture, so make sure the soil is kept moist but not soggy. During the growing season, water your plant deeply, ensuring the water reaches the root zone. The plant requires about one inch of water per week. During winter, reduce watering to allow it to rest.

Fertilizing

To encourage healthy growth and blooming, feed your clerodendrum every four to six weeks during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. A 10-10-10 or similar formula works well. You can also use liquid fertilizer every two weeks or granular fertilizer every six weeks.

Pruning or Pinching

Clerodendrum vines can become quite unruly, so regular pruning is essential to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth. Prune back dead or damaged wood in early spring before new growth appears. If growing it as a shrub, pinch back the tips to encourage dense branching.

Seasonal Plant Care Tips

• Spring: Feed with fertilizer, prune dead wood, and begin regular watering as the growing season starts.

• Summer: Ensure consistent moisture, keep the plant in bright light, and monitor for pests.

• Fall: Stop fertilizing as the plant begins to slow its growth.

• Winter: If indoors, reduce watering, and ensure the plant gets enough light.

Potting and Repotting

Clerodendrum tends to prefer being slightly root-bound, so repot only when necessary. If you see roots growing out of the drainage holes or above the soil line, it’s time to repot. Always choose a container with good drainage, and go up one size larger than the previous pot.

How to Propagate Clerodendrum Bleeding Heart

The most successful method of propagation is through stem cuttings:

1. Select a 3-4 inch semi-ripe stem, cutting just below a leaf node
2. Remove all but the top three leaves
3. Choose either water propagation or soil propagation:
   • For water: Place the cutting in a jar of clean water, changing the water every few days until roots develop (about 2 weeks)
   • For soil: Insert cutting into moistened potting mix or sand, keeping consistently damp
4. Provide bottom heat (70-75°F) to encourage rooting
5. Place in bright, indirect light
6. Expect roots to develop within 2-6 weeks
7. Transplant water-rooted cuttings to soil once roots are 1-2 inches long

Seed propagation is also possible but slower:

1. Collect ripe seeds from black fruits
2. Nick the seed coat and soak for 24 hours
3. Plant in a mix of peat moss and vermiculite
4. Cover seeds lightly with soil
5. Maintain warm, moist conditions
6. Expect germination in 6-8 weeks

How to Get Clerodendrum Bleeding Heart to Bloom

When to Bloom

Bleeding heart vine typically flowers from late spring through summer, with peak blooming occurring when:

• Daytime temperatures are between 65-85°F
• The plant receives adequate light
• It has established a strong root system
• It is slightly pot-bound (if container-grown)

How to Get Clerodendrum Bleeding Heart to Bloom

To maximize flowering:

• Provide at least 6 hours of bright, indirect light daily
• Keep the plant slightly pot-bound
• Apply a phosphorus-rich fertilizer during the growing season
• Supplement with calcium to encourage blooming
• Maintain consistent moisture levels
• Prune after the first bloom cycle to encourage a second flush of flowers
• Avoid moving or disturbing the plant while it’s in bloom

Troubleshooting Problems and Diseases

Problems

Yellowing Leaves:

• Cause: Overwatering, underwatering, or nutrient deficiency
• Solution: Check soil moisture and adjust watering; apply appropriate fertilizer with micronutrients

Leaf Scorch:

• Cause: Too much direct sunlight or insufficient water
• Solution: Move to a more sheltered location or increase watering frequency

Poor Flowering:

• Cause: Insufficient light, improper fertilization, or overly large pot
• Solution: Provide more light, use bloom-boosting fertilizer, and keep slightly pot-bound

Leaf Drop:

• Cause: Natural during dormancy, or stress from temperature fluctuations
• Solution: Reduce water during the dormant period; maintain steady temperatures

Pests/Diseases

Mealybugs:

• Signs: White, cottony tufts on stems and leaves
• Treatment: Wipe with alcohol-soaked cotton swab or apply neem oil

Spider Mites:

• Signs: Fine webbing and stippled leaves
• Treatment: Increase humidity, spray with water, apply insecticidal soap

Whiteflies:

• Signs: Tiny white insects that fly when disturbed
• Treatment: Yellow sticky traps, neem oil, or horticultural oil

Botrytis Blight:

• Signs: Gray mold on leaves and flowers
• Treatment: Improve air circulation, remove affected parts, and apply fungicide if necessary

FAQs about Clerodendrum Bleeding Heart

Is bleeding heart vine toxic to pets? No, unlike the herbaceous bleeding heart plant, Clerodendrum bleeding heart vine is non-toxic to both humans and pets.

Can bleeding heart vine survive winter outdoors? Only in USDA zones 9-12. In colder regions, it must be brought indoors before the first frost.

How fast does bleeding heart vine grow? Very quickly! Under ideal conditions, it can add several feet of growth in a single season.

Does bleeding heart vine need a trellis? Yes, if you want it to climb. However, it can also be pruned to maintain a shrub-like form or grown in hanging baskets.

Is bleeding heart vine invasive? No, while it grows quickly, it’s not considered invasive in North America.

Final Thoughts

Clerodendrum bleeding heart vine offers an impressive display of unique flowers and lush foliage that rewards gardeners with relatively minimal effort. Its adaptability to containers makes it accessible even to those without tropical gardens, while its fast growth and stunning blooms create a dramatic impact in a short time. Whether trained up a trellis, shaped into a mound, or cascading from a hanging basket, this versatile vine brings tropical elegance to any growing space. With proper care, your bleeding heart vine will reward you with its distinctive heart-shaped blooms for many seasons to come.