Bleeding Heart vs Impatiens

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Bleeding Heart

Lamprocapnos spectabilis

Papaveraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Impatiens

Impatiens walleriana

Balsaminaceae · flowers

Low Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Bleeding Heart (Zones 3-9)

Impatiens (Zones 10-11)

No zone overlap — these plants cannot be grown in the same climate

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Bleeding Heart	Impatiens
Scientific Name	Lamprocapnos spectabilis	Impatiens walleriana
Family	Papaveraceae	Balsaminaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	1' 6"
Spread	2'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Pink, White	Mixed
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	East Africa
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Bleeding Heart

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Impatiens

No — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Bleeding Heart

✓Plant ferns nearby to fill space when bleeding heart goes dormant.
✓Prefers cool, moist conditions.
✓Self-seeds in ideal conditions.
✓Toxic if ingested.

Impatiens

✓Keep soil consistently moist.
✓No deadheading needed — self-cleaning.
✓Pinch for bushier growth.
✓Watch for downy mildew — choose resistant varieties.
✓Feed monthly.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Bleeding Heart if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

Choose Impatiens if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 10–11.

View Bleeding HeartProfile →View ImpatiensProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Bleeding Heart and Impatiens grow in the same hardiness zone?

Bleeding Heart grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Impatiens grows in zones 10-11. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Bleeding Heart and Impatiens have the same sun and water needs?

Bleeding Heart needs part shade and medium water, while Impatiens needs part shade to full shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Bleeding Heart or Impatiens?

Bleeding Heart grows taller at 3' compared to Impatiens at 1' 6". Bleeding Heart spreads 2' while Impatiens spreads 1' 6".

Are Bleeding Heart and Impatiens deer resistant?

Bleeding Heart is deer resistant, but Impatiens is not. If deer are a concern, Bleeding Heart is the better choice, or protect Impatiens with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Bleeding Heart or Impatiens?

Both Bleeding Heart and Impatiens have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Bleeding Heart	Impatiens
Scientific Name	Lamprocapnos spectabilis	Impatiens walleriana
Family	Papaveraceae	Balsaminaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	1' 6"
Spread	2'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Pink, White	Mixed
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	East Africa
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Bleeding Heart

✓Plant ferns nearby to fill space when bleeding heart goes dormant.
✓Prefers cool, moist conditions.
✓Self-seeds in ideal conditions.
✓Toxic if ingested.

Impatiens

✓Keep soil consistently moist.
✓No deadheading needed — self-cleaning.
✓Pinch for bushier growth.
✓Watch for downy mildew — choose resistant varieties.
✓Feed monthly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Bleeding Heart and Impatiens grow in the same hardiness zone?

Bleeding Heart grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Impatiens grows in zones 10-11. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Bleeding Heart and Impatiens have the same sun and water needs?

Bleeding Heart needs part shade and medium water, while Impatiens needs part shade to full shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Bleeding Heart or Impatiens?

Bleeding Heart grows taller at 3' compared to Impatiens at 1' 6". Bleeding Heart spreads 2' while Impatiens spreads 1' 6".

Are Bleeding Heart and Impatiens deer resistant?

Bleeding Heart is deer resistant, but Impatiens is not. If deer are a concern, Bleeding Heart is the better choice, or protect Impatiens with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Bleeding Heart or Impatiens?

Both Bleeding Heart and Impatiens have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.