Bleeding Heart Vines, Delivered and Planted in SW Florida
Bleeding heart vine is a twining tropical vine with white, balloon-like calyces and crimson flowers, and it does well in Southwest Florida's warm, humid shade. It needs a trellis, arbor or fence, protection from hot afternoon sun and frost, and steady moisture. We deliver and plant 7 gallon vines for lanais, pergolas and shaded fence lines.
- Light:
- Part shade to bright shade; morning sun is fine
- Water:
- Moderate to regular; keep evenly moist
- Salt:
- Low; keep out of direct salt spray
Bleeding Heart Vine sizes we deliver and plant
Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.
| Plant | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Bleeding Heart Vine | 7 Gallon |
Bleeding Heart Vine in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- 8 to 12 ft tall on a support and 3 to 5 ft wide
- Light
- Part shade to bright shade; morning sun is fine
- Water
- Moderate to regular; keep evenly moist
- Salt tolerance
- Low; keep out of direct salt spray
- Cold tolerance
- Tender; leaves burn and drop near freezing and frost can cut it to the ground, though it usually resprouts. Cover it inland on frost nights
- Growth rate
- Moderate to fast
- Spacing
- 4 to 6 ft apart along a fence or trellis
- Florida native
- No, native to tropical West Africa
- Botanical name
- Clerodendrum thomsoniae
Where Bleeding Heart Vine works in a SW Florida yard
Train bleeding heart vine on a trellis, arbor or fence in bright shade, such as the east side of the house or under a high oak or palm canopy where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade.
It twines on its own but needs something to wrap around. Underplant with ginger, bromeliads and ferns, and keep it a few feet off the house wall so air moves through it.
- Trellis and pergola color
- Shady fence lines
- Lanai and patio screening
- Container vine on a support
How our crew plants it
Set the 7 gallon vine 6 to 12 inches from the base of its support, with the top of the root ball level with the soil. Blend compost into the bed, since it likes moist, rich soil, and mulch lightly away from the stems.
Tie the first stems to the support. Water in well, since Lee and Collier rules allow extra watering for new plantings.
Care after planting
- Water evenly, especially through the November to May dry season, since dry spells cause leaf and flower drop.
- Prune after the main spring and summer bloom to keep it in bounds and thin tangled stems.
- Feed in spring and again in October with a slow-release fertilizer, since Lee County, Naples and Marco Island ban nitrogen and phosphorus products from June 1 to September 30.
- Cover or move it on frost nights; if frost burns it, wait for warm weather before cutting back dead growth, since it often regrows from the base.
What to watch for
- Sap-feeding insects such as whiteflies, mealybugs and spider mites can build up on the leaves in hot, dry stretches, so wash the plant and treat early.
- Hot afternoon sun and salt spray scorch the leaves, so keep it in bright shade, away from the waterfront edge.
Bleeding Heart Vine questions we hear
Does bleeding heart vine grow in Cape Coral and Fort Myers?+
Yes, in bright shade with support and steady moisture. It is a tropical West African vine, so it enjoys zone 10 warmth and humidity, but it burns in frost and dislikes drought and hot afternoon sun. On the coast it is easy; inland, protect it in cold snaps.
When does bleeding heart vine bloom?+
Blooming is heaviest in spring and summer, and the vine flowers on and off in warm spells at other times. The white calyces and red flowers show best against green leaves. Bright shade with some morning sun gives the most blooms.
What kind of support does bleeding heart vine need?+
It twines around its support but does not cling, so give it a trellis, arbor, fence or wires. A support 6 to 8 feet tall suits a 7 gallon plant, and the vine can reach 10 feet or more with room. Tie the first stems on at planting.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on Bleeding Heart Vine
Tell us what and how many. Quinten prices it from the nursery's live list and texts you back, usually within the hour during the day.
Only need the plant delivered, no planting? It is on our nursery's list at Palm & Plant Co.
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We deliver and plant across Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs and about an hour around.