Bleeding heart Lamprocapnos spectabilis
Bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Papaveraceae family, native to Northern China, Korea, Siberia and Japan. It grows 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) tall and 50–90 cm (20–35 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -34 °C (-29 °F). Space plants about 70 cm (28 in) apart.
Plan Bleeding heart in your garden →
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Bleeding heart at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Papaveraceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Spacing | 70 cm (28 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -34 °C (-29 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Northern China, Korea, Siberia and Japan |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇳🇴 Norway |
Is Bleeding heart toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: all parts, roots, foliage
Isoquinoline alkaloids can cause vomiting, tremors and convulsions if eaten in quantity; sap may irritate skin.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bleeding heart
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Bleeding heart
- How far apart should I plant Bleeding heart?
- About 70 cm (28 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–90 cm (20–35 in).
- Does Bleeding heart need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bleeding heart need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Bleeding heart?
- It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Bleeding heart flower?
- From about April for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Bleeding heart poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Isoquinoline alkaloids can cause vomiting, tremors and convulsions if eaten in quantity; sap may irritate skin.
- What grows well with Bleeding heart?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Bleeding heart. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Goes dormant in midsummer heat; plant among later foliage plants to fill the gap.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Field poppy Papaver rhoeas
- California poppy Eschscholzia californica
- Oriental poppy Papaver orientale
- Himalayan blue poppy Meconopsis betonicifolia
- Matilija poppy Romneya coulteri
- Arctic poppy Papaver radicatum
- Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis
- Dutchman’s breeches Dicentra cucullaria