How to Care for a Bleeding Heart Plant

The bleeding heart is a perennial plant with small, heart-shaped flowers that open and display inner petals, usually white, that dangle down. The plant can grow to 6 inches to 2 feet, but some will grow larger and may even need a trellis to climb up. Read on for tips on how to care for a bleeding heart plant so that it continues to thrive and grow year after year. You will find about 20 varieties of bleeding hearts and they all have the same care requirements.

Instructions

1. Plant the bleeding heart in an area with medium to light areas of sun. Do not plant it in an area with hours of direct sunlight.

2. Maintain moisture in the soil but do not overwater. The soil where the bleeding heart is planted should hold moisture and be cool.

3. Add a layer of compost to the ground around the plant every year in spring. A layer of mulch can be added after the compost. About an inch of compost and 2 inches of mulch will help the plant grow healthy.

4. Add water to the soil in dry climates every day in the morning if no rain is expected.

5. Prune back the bleeding heart stems in fall. This should be done right after the first frost. Cut the stems down to about 2 inches above the ground.

References

• Caring for a Bleeding Heart