Bleeding heart (Clerodendrum thomsoniae)
Clerodendrum thomsoniae, the Bleeding heart vine, offers striking white and red flowers. A twining evergreen perfect for training or containers in Zones 10-12.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Clerodendrum thomsoniae, widely recognized by its common name, Bleeding heart, is a truly exotic and dramatic addition to any warm-climate garden or bright sunroom. This twining vine or shrub is prized for its unique and vibrant floral display, featuring white, papery calyces that contrast sharply with a dark red, descending corolla, resembling a dripping heart. While it thrives outdoors in frost-free zones, the Bleeding heart vine is frequently cultivated as a popular houseplant elsewhere.
As an evergreen vine in its native habitat of Tropical western Africa, Clerodendrum thomsoniae provides continuous visual interest throughout the warmer months. It is a fast-growing specimen that requires structure, making it highly effective when grown up a trellis or allowed to cascade from a hanging basket. Achieving vigorous flowering depends on providing the right environment, particularly understanding its need for summer warmth and a required winter rest period when grown as a houseplant.
Gardeners appreciate the lush, smooth-edged foliage that accompanies the exceptional blooms of the Clerodendrum thomsoniae. Its structure and coloration make it an excellent focal point, whether softening a vertical surface or adding drama to a porch display. Proper pruning and seasonal temperature management are key to ensuring this spectacular vine continues to produce its signature flowers year after year.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Vine
- Native Range: Tropical western Africa
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-12
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 12-15 ft
- Spread: 12-15 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: White calyces with dark red corolla
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting the Bleeding heart vine should occur during the active growing season, typically late spring after all threat of frost has passed in warmer climates, or as a container plant moved outdoors once consistently warm. Provide rich, well-draining soil where it can establish its root system. Since this is a vigorous climber, immediately install a sturdy structure such as a trellis, arbor, or wire support system to guide the growth of the Clerodendrum thomsoniae.
Water needs are medium; aim to keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged, especially during peak summer growth when flowering is active. Fertilize regularly throughout the growing season to fuel the production of those eye-catching blooms. For indoor cultivation, the procedure for Clerodendrum thomsoniae involves simulating a winter rest. Move the plant to a cooler spot, ideally between 60–65°F during the day with temperatures dropping 5 to 10 degrees lower at night, significantly reducing water but withholding fertilizer during this dormancy period.
Pruning is vital for maintaining shape and encouraging robust flowering, as flower buds form on new wood. Early spring, before new shoots emerge, is the ideal time to prune severely. Remove overcrowded, old shoots and cut back far-reaching growth to keep the vine manageable. Once pruning is complete and weather permits, situate the plant back into a warm, brightly lit location and resume regular watering and fertilizing.
Landscape Uses
The versatility of the Bleeding heart vine allows it to fulfill several roles in the landscape or container garden. Where hardy (Zones 10-12), it functions as an excellent vertical accent, quickly covering fences or pergolas with its unique foliage and flowers. Its status as a suggested annual in cooler regions means it can be grown heavily in large containers or window boxes, offering summer fireworks before being brought indoors for winter dormancy.
For container designs, the vine excels as a “thriller” element when paired with trailing “spillers” that can cascade over the edges of the pot. Training the Clerodendrum thomsoniae onto a small obelisk or a circular support inside a large pot creates a stunning, self-contained specimen. In the garden, plant it near seating areas to allow appreciation of its unique bloom structure up close.
If grown outdoors year-round, consider pairing it with plants that share its Part shade requirement but offer contrasting foliage texture or color, such as hostas or ferns, creating a lush, tropical understory effect. Even when grown as an annual feature plant, the dramatic flowering period makes the Bleeding heart a centerpiece.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Clerodendrum thomsoniae, commonly called Bleeding heart vine, is a twining evergreen shrub or vine that provides showy white flowers with dark red corollas giving a striking contrast, generally blooming during warm months. The foliage is smooth-edged, oval, and reaches about 6 inches long, making it a common houseplant in regions where it cannot survive winter outdoors. The genus name honors the Greek words for chance and tree, while the specific epithet honors Dr. Thomas Thomson.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Gardeners observing Clerodendrum thomsoniae should be vigilant for common houseplant and tropical vine pests. Specifically watch for infestations of mealybugs, which appear as white, cottony masses, and spider mites, which cause stippling damage on leaves.
Regular inspection of the undersides of leaves and stem joints is crucial for early detection. If pests are found, treat immediately using horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, ensuring thorough coverage, especially on dense foliage. Maintaining consistent medium moisture levels (water when the soil surface dries) can help reduce stress that invites pest outbreaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Clerodendrum thomsoniae suitable for?
The Bleeding heart vine is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 10 through 12, thriving in consistently warm environments.
How large does Clerodendrum thomsoniae grow?
This vigorous vine typically reaches heights and spreads between 12 and 15 feet at maturity, requiring adequate vertical space to climb.
What sun exposure does Clerodendrum thomsoniae need?
Clerodendrum thomsoniae performs best and flowers most freely when situated in Part shade.
When does Clerodendrum thomsoniae bloom?
It is a Seasonal bloomer, showcasing its signature White calyces with dark red corolla during the warm months of the growing season.
Conclusion
The Bleeding heart vine, Clerodendrum thomsoniae, offers incomparable floral drama with its unique red and white blooms atop vigorous green foliage. Its medium maintenance commitment is offset by its striking beauty, whether trained on a trellis or cherished indoors. Before planting, carefully assess your local climate to ensure you can meet its Zone 10-12 requirements or plan for its necessary winter care indoors.
Companion Planting
When incorporating Clerodendrum thomsoniae into a garden border in Zones 10-12, selecting compatible neighbors is key to creating a unified look. Since the vine requires Part shade, look for other plants that also prefer filtered sunlight and rich, moist soil profiles. Good companions include various shade-loving perennials, such as Astilbe or Hosta, which provide contrasting leaf textures to set off the large, ovate leaves of the vine.
For a lush, tropical look, pair the Bleeding heart with large-leafed foliage plants like Ginger or Caladiums (where climate allows). These plants share similar water needs and appreciate protection from intense afternoon sun, allowing the vine to frame them beautifully. Avoid overly competitive or aggressive groundcovers that might compete heavily for water and nutrients near the base of the vine.
Container Growing
Growing Clerodendrum thomsoniae in containers is an excellent strategy, especially for gardeners outside USDA Zones 10-12 who wish to overwinter the plant indoors. Use a large, heavy pot with excellent drainage to support the vine’s eventual 15-foot height and spread. A well-draining, rich potting mix is essential to accommodate its Medium water requirements without causing soggy conditions.
For training, either use a pre-made obelisk insert or wrap ties around a sturdy central support pole inserted deeply into the pot. As the vine grows, gently prune tips that stray too far or become leggy to encourage bushier growth at the base, which enhances overall visual appeal in a container setting. Remember the critical winter rest period for indoor care, adjusting light and temperature significantly.
