Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia)

Also known as: Wild Bleedingheart, Bleeding-Heart, Fringed Bleeding Heart, Staggarweed

Dicentra eximia, known as fringed bleeding heart or wild bleeding heart, features delicate, fern-like foliage and clusters of small, pink, heart-shaped flowers. Native to the Appalachian Mountains, it thrives in shady garden areas. Note that this plant is toxic if consumed.

In This Article

Care Tips Water Sunlight Temperature Soil Fertilize Prune Propagation Repotting Toxicity

Attributes of Bleeding Heart

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

30 cm to 45 cm

Spread

30 cm to 45 cm

Leaf Color

Green Gray

Flower Size

2 mm to 5 mm

Flower Color

Pink White Purple Red

Images of Bleeding Heart

Quickly Identify Bleeding Heart

Heart-shaped, pink to purple flowers on erect-spreading inflorescence.

Fern-like foliage finely dissected in a ternately decompound manner.

Distinct pendulous, white to deep pink, heart-shaped flowers with reflexed petals.

Modest, elongated fruit capsule, brown to greenish, less than 1 inch (2.54 cm).

2-pinnately divided, fern-like leaves with prominent veins and delicate texture.

Scientific Classification of Bleeding Heart

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Ranunculales

Family

Poppy

Genus

Bleeding-Hearts

Species

Bleeding Heart

Planting and Growing of Bleeding Heart

Care Difficulty

Easy

Watering Schedule

Every 4 days

Sunlight Requirements

Partial sun

Sunshine Duration

6-8 hours

Ideal Temperature

60-75℉

Soil Type

Potting Mix, Peat Mix

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Fertilizer Type

Balanced

Pruning Season

Spring, Summer

Pruning Area

Branches, Leaves

Pruning Frequency

2 times a year

Repotting Season

Spring

Pot Type

Plastic, Ceramic

How to Water Bleeding Heart?

When watering Dicentra eximia, aim to provide around 250 milliliters per session, ensuring that the soil is consistently moist but not soggy. This plant thrives in a well-balanced watering regimen and appreciates the soil being evenly damp, mimicking its natural woodland habitat. It's essential to water until you notice a slight rundown from drainage holes, indicating the roots have received sufficient moisture.

What are the symptoms of an underwatered Bleeding Heart? ›

What should I do if my Bleeding Heart is not getting enough water? ›

What are the symptoms of an overwatered Bleeding Heart? ›

How to save an overwatered Bleeding Heart? ›

What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Bleeding Heart?

Sunlight Requirements: Partial sun, Full shade

Duration of light: 3 to 6 hours

Dicentra eximia favors partial sun to full shade, benefiting from a balanced mix of diffused and mild direct light. This range promotes robust foliage and abundant flowering, ensuring healthy and aesthetic growth.

What is the best light condition for Dicentra eximia? ›

How can I achieve this lighting condition indoors? ›

What benefits can be observed when Dicentra eximia receives ideal light? ›

What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Bleeding Heart?

Ideal Temperature: 60 ~ 75℉

The ideal temperature range for growing Dicentra eximia is between 60°F and 75°F. This plant thrives in a controlled environment where daytime temperatures are warm but not hot, ensuring optimal growth and blooming conditions. Maintaining these temperatures helps replicate the plant’s natural habitat and encourages healthy foliage and vibrant flowers.

What Soil is Best for Bleeding Heart?

Soil type: Loam, Sandy loam

Soil PH: 6.5 ~ 7.5

Dicentra eximia thrives in well-drained soil to prevent root rot. The delicate roots need an environment where water doesn't accumulate and cause decay. Well-drained soil ensures healthy growth, averting waterlogging problems that could stunt development. This plant prefers soil that retains moisture yet isn’t waterlogged. Maintaining moderate moisture levels helps in ensuring consistent hydration, which is crucial for sustaining the plant’s lush foliage and preventing the drooping of its striking flowers. A nutrient-rich soil ensures that Dicentra eximia receives adequate sustenance for its vigorous growth. This nutrient abundance supports the development of lush, vibrant leaves and robust flower production, making the plant a vibrant addition to any garden.

How to Fertilize Bleeding Heart?

Fertilizer type: Balanced

When fertilizing Dicentra eximia, it's important to apply only a moderate amount to prevent root burn. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer with a ratio like 10-10-10 or similar. Mix it to half the recommended strength on the package to keep the plants healthy without overwhelming them. In early spring, as new growth begins, make your first application to provide necessary nutrients for the growing season.

How to Prune Bleeding Heart?

Pruning Time: Spring, Autumn

Identify and remove any stems that are devoid of leaves or withered. Cut them close to ground level to encourage fresh growth. This maintains plant aesthetics and directs energy to healthier parts. Once the flowering season is over, trim back the flowering stems to prevent seed formation. This redirects energy to growth and future blooms, maintaining the plant's vigorous appearance.

How to Propagate Bleeding Heart plant?

Propagate Time: Late spring,Early summer

Clean the seeds thoroughly and allow them to dry for a few days. Stratify by placing them in a damp towel in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks to break seed dormancy and improve germination rates.

Carefully dig up the plant clump using a spade. This is best done when the plant is dormant, removing any dead foliage. Split the clump into smaller sections with healthy roots.

Plant stratified seeds in quality seed trays filled with seed-starting mix. For division, plant clump sections in prepared garden beds, ensuring roots are covered with soil and watered well.

How to Repot Bleeding Heart plant?

Repotting frequency: Biennially or triennially

Dicentra eximia should be repotted when you notice the plant is root-bound or has outgrown its current container. A clear sign is roots emerging from drainage holes. Spring, just before it starts its growth spurt, is the optimal season for repotting. This timing minimizes stress and allows the plant to thrive in its new environment.

Choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the current one, with excellent drainage. Materials like terracotta or ceramic with drainage holes are ideal as they prevent moisture accumulation, reducing the risk of root rot. Ensure the pot size accommodates future growth yet avoids excessive space where water may stagnate.

Opt for a well-draining, loamy soil mix which mimics Dicentra eximia’s natural habitat. Including perlite or coarse sand can enhance drainage. This type of soil prevents waterlogging, maintaining necessary aeration for the roots while providing adequate nutrients.

Toxicity of Bleeding Heart

Is Bleeding Heart toxic to humans?

The bleeding Heart is a plant known for its toxicity, which can lead to low to moderate poisoning if consumed in significant amounts, and can also provoke mild to severe skin irritation upon physical contact. Its toxic effects are primarily significant when ingested in large quantities, making the risk to humans generally low. Every part of this plant possesses slight poisonous characteristics due to the presence of isoquinoline alkaloids, with the highest concentrations found in the leaves. Internal poisoning symptoms may manifest as vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, unsteadiness, breathing difficulties, trembling, staggering, and overall weakness. Additionally, skin irritation may arise from contact with the plant's sap, though this irritation usually diminishes after a brief period.

Is Bleeding Heart toxic to cat?

The Bleeding Heart plant is toxic to cats. If a cat consumes any portion of this plant, it may experience physical discomfort or exhibit symptoms of illness, since every part of the Bleeding Heart poses potential risks. Cats might unintentionally eat leaves, flowers, or stems, creating a poisoning situation. Swift medical intervention at a veterinary facility is crucial for any suspected ingestion of Bleeding Heart to reduce the effects of the toxicity and safeguard the health of the cat.

Is Bleeding Heart toxic to dog?

The Bleeding Heart plant is considered toxic to dogs, presenting a serious hazard if any part of it is ingested. Dogs may inadvertently eat sections of this plant, resulting in poisoning. The entire plant carries harmful properties, which means that any part consumed can lead to negative health consequences. Signs of poisoning can include, but are not limited to, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, lethargy, and stomach pain. It is essential for dog owners to keep a close watch on their pets and prevent them from accessing the Bleeding Heart. If ingestion is suspected, prompt veterinary attention is vital to ensure the best possible prognosis for the affected dog.

WARNING

The judgment on toxicity and danger is for reference only. We DO NOT GUARANTEE any accuracy of such judgment. Therefore, you SHALL NOT rely on such judgment. It is IMPORTANT TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE in advance when necessary.