What Type of Fertilizer for Bleeding Hearts?

The bleeding heart is a beautiful perennial woodland plant that gets its name from the lovely pillow-like heart shaped pendulous flowers that it produces in the spring. The plant’s Latin name is Dicentra spectabilis. A shade-loving plant, the blooms come in white, pink, yellow and red. The type of fertilizer used on this plant makes a huge difference in its potential success.

Organic Fertilizers

• The bleeding heart thrives best in an environment that replicates the native woodland habitat it is accustomed to. Applying an organic compost of well-rotted matter such as manure, peat moss or chopped leaves to the base of the plant will give it a great start. Also, it’s recommended to add 2 to 3 inches of mulch like bark chips, pine needles or grass clippings to reduce weed growth and help retain moisture in the soil.

Slow Release Pellets

• Bleeding hearts are considered heavy feeders. An organic slow release granular fertilizer in pellet form applied in early spring onto the soil around the bottom of each plant will provide consistent nutrition throughout the growing season.

Chemical Fertilizers

• If you love these plants, do not use chemical fertilizers of any kind. Chemical fertilizers are not recommended because they will burn the plant and eventually kill it.