Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The White Bleeding Heart blooms during the summer and features some of the most darling and showy flowers. Delicate pure-white heart-shaped flowers have a pillow-like texture and hang below the thin, string-like stems like a row of pendants. Deeply lobed leaves are a medium shade of green. After several weeks, the flowers will fade, and in hot or warm climates, the entire plant will fade away after flowering is complete. This charming plant also goes by Dicentra spectabilis and Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Alba.’
The White Bleeding Heart has a mounded, upright growth habit. This shade-loving plant does best in beds, borders, or mass plantings. Feature in a container so the lovely flowers can be displayed and admired up close. Grow this beautiful plant as a perennial in USDA zones 3 through 8.
White Bleeding Heart Care
Plant this perennial in full to partial shade in moist, well-drained, rich soil. The White Bleeding Heart will do best in slightly acidic soil, but it can handle neutral soil. Water when the top few inches of soil are dry. This plant will require more frequent watering during the summer, especially when grown in warm regions. Top dress the soil in the spring with fertile, organic compost.
Deadheading is unnecessary. Leave the blooms in place, and the plant will go to seed. Cut back the growth when it starts to fade, but plants grown in warm climates may die back soon after blooming is complete.
White Bleeding Heart Spacing
White Bleeding Heart is an upright perennial that will reach 24 to 30 inches tall and wide. Plants can be grown as close as 22 to 28 inches apart or grow 1 to 2 plants in a 12- to 14-inch container.
White Bleeding Heart Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Shade to Part Sun (0-6 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 2 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 2 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Mounded, Spreading
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- White
- Bloom Time
- Spring
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Herbaceous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- White Bleeding Heart
- Botanical Name
- DICENTRA SPECTABILIS 'ALBA'
- Plant Type
- Perennial
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!