Lamiaceae
Red Bleeding Heart Vine — Clerodendrum × speciosum
Clerodendrum × speciosum
Grow in partial shade with bright indirect light, fertile well-draining soil, and regular watering to keep the substrate consistently moist without waterlogging. Resistant to most pests and diseases when given good airflow.
Every 4 days
Partial shade
10° - 30°C
50% - 70%
Categories
What is Red Bleeding Heart Vine?
Red Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum × speciosum) is a easy-care plant from the Lamiaceae family. Clerodendrum × speciosum, commonly known as the Red Bleeding Heart Vine, is an ornamental hybrid between the Bleeding Heart Glory Bower (Clerodendrum thomsoniae) and the Scarlet Glory Bower (Clerodendrum splendens). This vigorous scandent shrub produces dense clusters of tubular red flowers wrapped...
Red Bleeding Heart Vine grows up to 4.5m, watering every 4 days, 10°C – 30°C, 50–70% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Red Bleeding Heart Vine tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Red Bleeding Heart Vine is safe to keep around pets. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 8 days.
How to Care for Red Bleeding Heart Vine?
TLDR: Red Bleeding Heart Vine needs Partial shade, watering every 4 days, and temperatures between 10-30°C with 50-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Red Bleeding Heart Vine?
Water 2-3 times per week during spring and summer, keeping soil evenly moist; cut back watering in winter, letting the top inch dry between waterings.
How Much Light Does Red Bleeding Heart Vine Need?
Prefers dappled shade or bright indirect light; tolerates full sun with ample moisture, but needs at least 4-6 hours of bright light daily to bloom well.
What Is the Best Soil for Red Bleeding Heart Vine?
Use rich, fertile, well-draining soil amended with organic matter — a mix of garden soil, compost, and coarse sand works well.
What Pot Should You Use for Red Bleeding Heart Vine?
Large well-draining pot with a trellis or support for its climbing habit.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 30 days
Misting
Every 7 days
Repot
Every 730 days
What Is Red Bleeding Heart Vine and Where Does It Come From?
Clerodendrum × speciosum, commonly known as the Red Bleeding Heart Vine, is an ornamental hybrid between the Bleeding Heart Glory Bower (Clerodendrum thomsoniae) and the Scarlet Glory Bower (Clerodendrum splendens). This vigorous scandent shrub produces dense clusters of tubular red flowers wrapped in persistent white calyces that blush pink with age, resembling a bleeding heart. Being a sterile hybrid, it produces no viable seed and is propagated only by cuttings or division.
How to Propagate Red Bleeding Heart Vine?
Stem Cutting
Use clean, sharp tools; a greenhouse-like environment speeds up rooting.
- 1 Cut a 10-15 cm stem section with at least two nodes
- 2 Remove the lower leaves
- 3 Place in moist substrate or water in a protected spot with bright indirect light
- 4 Keep humidity high until roots form
Materials needed:
Shoot Division
Choose shoots that already have roots for the best success rate.
- 1 Locate spontaneous shoots around the mother plant
- 2 Separate with some roots attached using a clean spade or knife
- 3 Replant immediately in fertile, well-draining soil
- 4 Water thoroughly after transplanting
Materials needed:
How Big Does Red Bleeding Heart Vine Grow?
TLDR: Red Bleeding Heart Vine can reach up to 4.5m tall with Fast growth rate.
Max height
4.5m
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Evergreen
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Red Bleeding Heart Vine?
TLDR: Red Bleeding Heart Vine is susceptible to 7 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids (less than 1/20 inch long) related to spiders and ticks that feed on plant sap. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause significant damage to ornamental and vegetable plants. During severe infestations, crop losses can reach 14% or higher as these pests disrupt vital plant processes including photosynthesis, carbon dioxide absorption, and transpiration.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.
Whiteflies
Whiteflies are small, soft-bodied, winged insects closely related to aphids and mealybugs. They are moth-like in appearance, about 1/16 inch long, triangular in shape, and gray-white in color. These sap-sucking pests feed on plant tissue, causing yellowing, stunted growth, and wilting. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold growth. Whiteflies can transmit serious plant viruses.
Meaning & Symbolism
Symbolizes passionate love and lasting devotion, its red flower emerging from a pale heart-shaped calyx.
Fun Facts
It is a sterile hybrid that produces no viable seed, so it is propagated only by cuttings or division.
The white calyx surrounding the red flower gradually blushes pink as it ages.
It can reach 3.6 to 4.7 meters (12-15 ft) in length when trained on a support.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Red Bleeding Heart Vine toxic to pets?
Why is my plant not flowering?
How do you propagate this plant?
What pests commonly affect it?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
| Cushion Bush | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
