Bleeding-heart Vine

If there’s a plant that looks like it was painted by a romantic artist with an eye for the dramatic, it’s the Bleeding-heart vine. With its vivid red petals spilling from delicate white calyxes, this tropical climber is an absolute showstopper in any garden or patio. Not to be confused with the herbaceous Dicentra spectabilis this vine belongs to a different genus and climate altogether — one that thrives in warm, humid environments and stuns with contrast, vibrance, and passion.

The beauty of Clerodendrum thomsoniae lies in its unique, two-toned flowers: Each flower cluster features white to pale cream calyxes shaped like small lanterns.From inside these lanterns emerges a bright crimson corolla, resembling a bleeding heart — hence the name.Flowers are borne in clusters (inflorescences) and bloom prolifically during the warm months, often from late spring to early fall.These vivid blooms are not just beautiful — they attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators, making this plant a favorite in tropical and subtropical gardens.

The foliage adds to the plant’s appeal: Leaves are dark green, opposite, and ovate with slightly wavy edges.The lush greenery provides a perfect backdrop to the dramatic flowers, enhancing their contrast and visual drama.When trained properly, the vine forms a dense green curtain, ideal for privacy screens, trellises, or pergolas.Though tropical by nature, the Bleeding-heart vine is fairly adaptable and can be grown both outdoors and in containers with the right conditions.