Overview of Bleeding Heart Vine
Bleeding heart vine is a twining evergreen vine from tropical west Africa. Other common names include glory bower, bagflower, bleeding glory bower, tropical bleeding heart, and glory tree. Scientifically it is Clerodendrum thomsoniae, a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), but some references still include it in the verbena family (Verbenaceae). This species is not related to the common bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos (= Dicentra) spectabilis). The common name comes from the flowers which look like a drop of red blood exuding from the heart-shaped calyx.
The glossy, dark green, oval leaves are 5 to 7 inches long with smooth edges and pointed ends.
Bleeding heart vine is a spectacular plant when in flower. The small, slightly flat flowers have inflated, balloon-like white calyxes from which emerge brilliant crimson or dark red corollas with prominent stamens and style (the elongated part of the pistil) that extend way beyond the petals. The flowers are borne in terminal clusters (cymes) of 8 to 20 flowers.
The flowers last several months, although the red corolla is short lived. As they age, the flowers turn from white to pale pink or lavender, then eventually become tan as they dry up. It will bloom most of the year given sufficient light and warmth, but flowering is most prolific in summer.
If pollinated, the flowers will produce fruits. The green fruits ripen to a red to black color before splitting open to reveal four black seeds against a fleshy, bright orange interior.
Landscape Use of Bleeding Heart Vine
Even though it is vine or liana, it is a somewhat bushy climber. In its native habitat it can grow 10 to 15 feet tall, but as a container plant will remain much smaller.
Provide some type of support, such as a trellis, if you want to let it climb as a vine. It can also be kept pruned or pinched back into a shrub-like form (or be left to mound up on itself). It also works well in a large hanging basket. It is a vigorous grower when provided with sufficient water and fertilizer.
General Care of Bleeding Heart Vine
This plant needs direct sun in order to bloom well; a sunny window may be sufficient if you don’t move the container outdoors for the season. Water and fertilize regularly when actively growing.
Use an organic-rich but well-drained potting medium, and keep it moist but not wet. Since C. thomsoniae blooms on new growth, it is best to cut the plant back after blooming. Thin out old overcrowded shoots and any other far-reaching growth to keep the vine in bounds – don’t be afraid to prune severely. Bleeding heart vine has few pests but mealybugs and spider mites can occasionally be problems.
Although it is root hardy to zone 9a, it really is a tropical plant and needs protection from freezing. If grown outdoors, move inside when temperatures fall below 45 °F. When temperatures are cool (even indoors), the plant will shed its leaves. New leaves will resprout from the roots or what looks like dead wood in spring. If bleeding heart vine goes dormant in the winter, withhold water until the new growth starts, watering just enough to keep the soil from drying out and don’t fertilize.
Propagating Bleeding Heart Vine
Bleeding heart vine is easy to propagate by cuttings or serpentine layering. Semi-woody tip cuttings taken in late spring or late summer can be rooted in water, moist sand, or another growing medium. Roots generally appear in about 2 weeks.
Seeds can also be planted indoors spring. Soaking seeds overnight in warm water helps to improve germination. Plant seeds about ½ inch deep in moist, well-drained potting media.
Cultivars of Bleeding Heart Vine
There are only a few cultivars of this species available.
- ‘Delectum’, sometimes called Java red glory bower, has very large clusters of light red flowers with violet purple calyxes.
- ‘Variegata’ has green leaves with cream margins and red flowers with white calyxes.
Author: Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Reviewers: Allen R. Pyle, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Extension, Bruce Spangenberg, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Extension
Revised: June 2026
