Bleeding Heart Flower

Bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis, formerly Dicentra spectabilis) is a shade-loving, spring-blooming perennial prized for its arching sprays of pendant, heart-shaped pink-and-white flowers. Native to East Asia, it thrives in cool, moist, humus‑rich soils and typically goes summer-dormant after flowering.

Occasions & recipients

Find flowers by occasion

Best occasions

  • Valentine’s Day
  • Anniversaries
  • Sympathy/Remembrance
  • Spring birthdays
  • Mother’s Day

Suitable for

  • Spouse or long‑term partner
  • New romance/crush (gentle signal)
  • Close friend needing comfort
  • Family member during bereavement
  • Garden‑loving parent or grandparent
Color taboos
  • Avoid for get-well/hospital gifts due to the "bleeding" connotation.
  • Not ideal in formal/professional contexts because of strong romantic overtones.
  • Pink forms suggest romance—avoid if you need a strictly platonic message.
  • In some traditions it hints at heartbreak; avoid for superstition‑minded weddings.
Card messages
  • My heart blooms for you—today and always.
  • With deepest sympathy—may love and memories gently hold your heart.
  • Thinking of you this spring and sending compassion and care.
  • For the one who makes my heart skip a beat.
  • In loving remembrance—your memory lives in our hearts.

At a glance

Key details

Quick reference for habitat, gifting etiquette, and safety when choosing flowers for different occasions and recipients.

Use this section as a practical checklist: where they grow, how to present them thoughtfully, and what to keep in mind regarding toxicity and sensitivity.

Botanical info

Taxonomy
Kingdom: Plantae; Order: Ranunculales; Family: Papaveraceae (formerly Fumariaceae); Genus: Lamprocapnos; Species: L. spectabilis; Synonym: Dicentra spectabilis.
Distribution
Native to northeastern Asia (China, Korea, Japan, Russian Far East); widely cultivated in temperate regions; naturalized in parts of Europe and North America (hardy roughly USDA Zones 3–9).
Conservation
Not globally threatened and widely cultivated; prefer nursery‑propagated plants and avoid wild collection.
Presentation etiquette
These stems are delicate and short‑lived as cut flowers (about 3–7 days). Deliver well hydrated with water tubes or in a narrow‑neck vase for support, and keep cool. Present with airy woodland foliage (e.g., ferns) to cushion the blooms. Include care notes and be mindful of the romantic/bittersweet symbolism in sensitive settings.
Ideal delivery time
Early spring while stems are in bud or just coloring, delivered in the cool morning; keep cool and hydrated in transit.
Toxicity
Contains isoquinoline alkaloids; toxic if ingested by humans or pets (vomiting, drooling, tremors). Sap may irritate skin—wear gloves. Keep away from children and animals; deer-resistant due to bitterness.
Allergenicity
Low airborne allergen; pollen is minimal. Sap may cause mild contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals—handle with gloves.

Meaning & taboos

Symbolism & color
A tender emblem of enduring love and compassion that also speaks to heartache and unrequited love—romance and remembrance held in a single, bleeding heart.

Growing & tools

Care & gear
Growing tips
Site in partial to full shade with cool conditions and humus‑rich, well‑drained but consistently moist soil. Keep evenly watered in spring; mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool. Protect from hot afternoon sun and drought; plants often go dormant after flowering in early summer—allow foliage to yellow naturally. Deadhead spent blooms; cut back stems after dormancy. Divide established clumps in early spring or fall; propagate by division or root cuttings. Generally pest‑free and deer/rabbit resistant; occasional aphids or slugs may appear.
Recommended tools
  • Hand trowel
  • Bypass pruners/snips
  • Watering can with fine rose
  • Garden fork (for division)
  • Organic mulch/compost
Symbolizes
  • Enduring/true love
  • Compassion and empathy
  • Heartbreak or unrequited love
  • Romance and affection
  • Remembrance