How to Grow and Care for Bleeding Heart

When to Plant Bleeding Heart

• The best time to plant Bleeding Heart in the garden is in the spring after the last frost date or fall.

Where to Plant Bleeding Heart

• Bleeding Hearts are winter hardy perennials and can perform well in USDA Zones 3-9, depending on species. Not sure about your growing zone? Check here.
• Bleeding Hearts are easily grown in partial shade in moist, fertile, humus-rich, preferably neutral or slightly alkaline soil. Some are full shade tolerant, but be aware that too much shade will result in few flowers. Others can be grown in the sun in the coolest part of their hardiness range, provided the soil is kept consistently moist.
• Bleeding Hearts also need well-drained soil and will rot if the soil is too soggy.
• Bleeding Hearts look great in cottage gardens, woodland gardens, wildflower gardens, and in shady spots throughout the landscape.
• Since some Bleeding Heart varieties disappear in summer, plant them among other perennials such as hosta, astilbe, pulmonaria (lungwort), heuchera (coral bells), or ferns to fill in the space left by their foliage when going dormant.
• Bleeding Heart does not like being moved. Make sure you pick the right spot when planting it.

How to Plant Bleeding Heart

• Before planting, add compost or aged manure to the soil to improve fertility.
• Plant your Common Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis) with the crown 2 inches (5 cm) below the soil line, but the crown of smaller varieties should be 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the soil level. If planted too deeply, it may rot or not bloom.
• Plant seeds 1/2 inch (1.2 cm) deep.
• Space plants 12-36 inches apart (30–90cm) depending on their expected mature size.
• Water well around the plant after planting.
• Spread mulch around the plant to keep moisture in and weeds out.

Bleeding Heart Care

Watering

• Water regularly throughout the summer to keep the soil moist but not soggy or waterlogged.
• Bleeding Heart does not tolerate wet soil over winter or dry soil in summer.

Fertilizer

• Add a time-release fertilizer in the surrounding soil when new growth emerges in spring.
• Additional organic mulch can be added in to promote more and longer-lasting flowers.

Pruning / Deadheading

• No pruning or deadheading is required.
• Leave the flowers if you want them to go to seed.
• Once the foliage has turned yellow and wilted, your Bleeding Heart can be cut back to the ground.

Propagating Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding Hearts can be propagated by division, root cuttings, or seed.

Division

• Bleeding Heart should be divided about every 2-5 years. This can be done in early spring, just before growth starts or in fall when the foliage is cut back.
• Dig up the plant carefully and divide it with a sharp shovel or garden knife.
• Each portion should be planted in loose soil or in containers and kept moderately moist.

Root Cuttings

• Water the plant thoroughly the night before.
• Excavate carefully to find a healthy, thick root. Take a section of the root that includes at least 2 nodes.
• Root in a growing medium. Keep the cutting moist in low light. It can take 4 to 6 weeks before some sprouting emerges.

Seeds

• Bleeding Hearts tend to self-seed in the garden.
• Plant seeds 1/2 in. (1.2 cm) deep in a good potting mix with plenty of peat and vermiculite or plant directly into a prepared garden bed.
• For indoor seeds in pots, put the pots in a plastic bag and put the containers in the freezer for 6 to 8 weeks. Then place containers in a warm location to germinate. Germination usually takes place in a month.
• Outdoor seeds will not germinate until the soil and temperature warm in spring.
• Self-seeded plants will bloom in 2-3 years if not disturbed.

Pest and Diseases

• Bleeding Heart is fairly trouble-free and has no serious pest or disease issues.
• Keep an eye out for aphids or snails, and slugs that may damage the new growth.
• Bleeding Hearts can be affected by downy mildew, verticillium wilt, rust, and leaf spot. In most cases, you can treat the plant with a fungicide.