Flowers That Look Like Hearts

Unusual heart-shaped flowers make thoughtful gifts.

Flowers and hearts seem to go hand in hand as many people give flowers to loved ones on special occasions or...just because. Although many plants boast heart-shaped leaves, not many flowers bloom in the shape of a heart. Fortunately, there are several easy-to-grow plants available with heart-shaped flowers that make perfect gifts.

Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart

The flower of the Bleeding Heart.

Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart, Dicentra spectabilis, is probably the most famous of the heart-shaped flowers. These pink or white heart-shaped flowers hang from arching branches over green, fern-like foliage. Bleeding Heart thrives in rich, well-drained soil in partial or full shade. This herbaceous perennial grows to about 3 feet high and blooms in the summer. Bleeding Heart is hardy from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hardiness zones 2 to 9.

Calla Lily

Calla lily has soft, heart-shaped flowers.

Large, soft white flowers wrap around a large stamen and form a heart if viewed from above. Calla lilies grow from rhizomes and are a hardy plant that needs full sun and grows in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11. Calla lilies are not a true lily, but a member of the Arum family. They grow to 48 inches tall with one large flower per stem. Calla lilies make excellent cut flowers, and bloom from late winter into spring. They need consistently moist, organic rich soil. All parts of this plant are poisonous and may cause skin irritation if handled, according to the University of Illinois. Calla Lilies are available in miniature form with flowers that bloom in shades of rose, yellow and even green.

Cane Begonias

Cane begonias, or Angel Wing begonias, are a tropical plant commonly grown as houseplants, though they can grow outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11. Although these plants are grown primarily for their decorative, colorful spotted or striped leaves, when conditions are favorable they also bear tiny pink flowers that are heart-shaped before opening. Some species of Cane begonia can grow up to 12 feet high though most are considerably smaller. Outside, this plant needs partial to full shade and indoors, it needs moderate indirect light. If cane begonias get too much sun, the leaves will burn. Allow the top one-half inch of soil to dry between watering.

Anthurium

The Anthurium is a popular houseplant.

Anthuriums, also known as Flamingo Lilies, are tropical plants commonly grown as houseplants in most regions of the United States. A dark red, heart-shaped disc called a spathe, which is a type of bract, grows on a long stem over green foliage. A long spike called a spadix grows from the spathe and contains the plant's actual flower. Anthuriums are relatively easy to grow, according to HawaiiTropicals.com. They require warm daytime temperatures between 78 and 90 degrees F. and nighttime temperatures around 70 to 75 degrees F., which is commonly what you'd find indoors. Anthuriums need well-drained, course soil. Water your plant when the top inch of soil is dry. This tropical plant needs bright indirect sunlight and, according to Hawaii Tropicals, will take as much light as you can offer. Most growers fertilize Anthurium heavily before selling, so you won't need to fertilize your plants for several months after purchase, and then use a one-quarter dose of a 3-1-2 fertilizer every few months.

References

• University of Illinois: Common Perennials: Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart
• Hawaii Tropical: Anthurium Plant Care Instructions
• University of Illinois Extension: Plant Palette: Calla Lilies
• American Begonia Society: Cane Begonias

Resources

• USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map