The bleeding heart vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae) is a tropical plant known for its striking, bi-colored flowers. These distinctive blooms feature a white, inflated calyx from which a bright red corolla emerges, resembling a heart with a “drop of blood.” This fast-growing vine can be cultivated indoors, but requires specific environmental conditions and consistent care.
Indoor Growing Essentials
Light
Bleeding heart vines thrive in bright, indirect light indoors. A south or west-facing window provides sufficient illumination for robust growth and abundant flowering. Direct, intense sunlight can scorch leaves, so diffuse harsh rays with sheer curtains. Insufficient light leads to leggy growth and hinders bloom production.
Watering
Consistent moisture is important for the bleeding heart vine, especially during its active growing season (spring through fall). Keep the soil evenly moist, but never waterlogged, to prevent root rot. Check the top inch or two of soil for dryness before watering. During winter dormancy, reduce watering to about twice a month, allowing the soil to dry out between applications.
Soil and Potting
A well-draining potting mix rich in organic matter is ideal for bleeding heart vines. Amending the mix with compost enhances fertility and drainage. Use a pot with ample drainage holes to prevent water accumulation. Bleeding heart vines bloom best when slightly pot-bound; repot only when roots visibly emerge from drainage holes.
Temperature and Humidity
Bleeding heart vines prefer warm conditions, with ideal indoor temperatures from 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18-29 degrees Celsius) during the growing season. Temperatures below 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit (7-10 degrees Celsius) can damage the plant. It appreciates high humidity, ideally around 50% or higher. To increase humidity, use a pebble tray, a cool-mist humidifier, or regular misting.
Fertilizing
During the active growing season (spring and summer), bleeding heart vines benefit from regular fertilization to support vigorous growth and flowering. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer or one with higher phosphorus every two to four weeks. Alternatively, incorporate a slow-release granular fertilizer every two months. Withhold fertilization about one month before and throughout the winter dormant period.
Ongoing Care and Support
Pruning
Pruning helps bleeding heart vines maintain shape, encourage bushier growth, and promote abundant blooms. Since flowers emerge on new growth, prune vines back in early spring before new shoots appear, or after a bloom cycle. Stems can be cut back by up to half to manage size and stimulate new flowering branches. Minor shaping and removal of dead wood can be done anytime.
Providing Support
The vining nature of Clerodendrum thomsoniae benefits from indoor support. Provide a trellis, stakes, or allow it to trail from a hanging basket to accommodate its climbing habit. Guide new shoots onto the support as they grow, gently tying them if necessary to encourage upward or outward growth. This supports the plant’s structure.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Lack of Blooms
A lack of blooms in an indoor bleeding heart vine can stem from several factors. Insufficient light is a common cause; move the plant to a brighter, indirect light location. Improper fertilization, especially too much nitrogen (which promotes leafy growth over flowers), can also be a reason. Use a fertilizer with higher phosphorus during the growing season to encourage blossoms. A plant that is too young or recently transplanted may also take time to establish before flowering.
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves can indicate various issues, including overwatering and underwatering. Soggy soil causes root suffering and yellowing. Insufficient moisture also causes leaves to yellow and wilt. Nutrient deficiencies, such as a lack of iron or magnesium, can result in yellowing, especially if soil pH is too high. Pests like spider mites or aphids can also cause discoloration as they feed on plant sap.
Pest Infestations
Bleeding heart vines can occasionally attract common indoor plant pests such as spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids. Spider mites manifest as tiny holes or yellow spots on leaves, sometimes with fine webbing. Mealybugs appear as white, cottony masses on stems and leaf axils. Aphids are small, pear-shaped insects that cause distorted or yellowing foliage. Organic treatments like wiping affected areas with soapy water or applying neem oil help control these infestations.
Propagation
Propagate bleeding heart vine through stem cuttings. Take 3 to 6-inch (7.5-15 cm) semi-ripe stem cuttings in late spring or early summer, just below a leaf node. Remove leaves from the bottom half to expose nodes; dipping the cut end in rooting hormone is optional. Cuttings can be rooted in water or directly planted into a moist, well-draining potting mix (e.g., peat and perlite or sand). Maintain high humidity around the cutting, possibly with a plastic bag cover, and provide bright, indirect light to encourage root development within weeks.