Written By Kiani Ned, Marketing InternÂ
Clerodendrum thomsoniae (bleeding heart vine) is a native flowering vine of West Africa but flourishes just fine in sunny and humid Florida. The plant gets its nickname from the brilliant red inner flower that emerges from within the pristine white sepals of the outer flower. The tropical vine is dependent upon warm weather to thrive. Though the interesting flowers of this vine can be seen year-round, they are most pronounced during the warmer months of the year.
The bleeding heart vine can be grown as a shrub or a vine, and as a vine, it can grow to 20 feet or longer in length. The leaves of the vine are alternate, ovate to slightly cordate with entire margins, and they allow the flowering vine to appear more voluminous. If pollinated, the flowers of the bleeding heart vine can produce a green fruit that will eventually ripen to a red to black color that harbors four black seeds nestled in a bright orange interior flesh.
