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Heart Seed

Cardiospermum halicacabum
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Cardiospermum halicacabum (Heart Seed) — botanical photograph
Pl. B31D — Cardiospermum halicacabum
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I

Overview

Heart Seed, scientifically known as Cardiospermum halicacabum, is a climbing vine native to regions including Angola and various parts of Asia and South America. This plant thrives in full sun and moist conditions, preferring light to heavy soil types, and can grow up to 3 meters tall. Its native range extends across many countries from Africa to Southeast Asia, including parts of South America. One distinctive feature of Heart Seed is the heart-shaped seedpod that gives it its common name. The leaves and shoots of Heart Seed are edible and can be prepared fresh in salads or cooked as a green vegetable, making it a valuable food source in some areas. This plant is native to regions such as Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, and Benin, and has been introduced to many other areas including Alabama, Albania, and Andaman Islands. It can grow in zones 8-11 and is known for its climbing habit, reaching up to 3 meters in height. While not medicinal, Heart Seed is an ornamental and edible plant that can be cultivated for its edible parts.

Quick answers

What is Heart Seed?

Heart Seed, scientifically known as Cardiospermum halicacabum, is a climbing vine native to regions including Angola and various parts of Asia and South America. This plant thrives in full sun and moist conditions, preferring light to heavy soil types, and can grow up to 3 meters tall.

Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

Heart Seed thrives in full sun and prefers moist, well-draining soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 8-11 and can grow up to 3 meters tall. Propagate via seeds or cuttings. This plant is native to regions including Angola, Argentina, and parts of Asia, and is known for its edible leaves and shoots.
Light
Full sun
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
8-11
Mature size
3.0 m tall
For first-time growers

How to grow Heart Seed for the first time

8steps

Start with Heart Seed as a simple, low-maintenance plant for beginners.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Seeds or seedlings, small pots if starting indoors, potting soil.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in spring when the last frost has passed and temperatures are warm.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Use a well-draining potting mix. Ensure containers have drainage holes.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost, then transplant outdoors after danger of frost passes.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Keep soil moist and provide partial shade to help seedlings establish. Protect from strong winds.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Provide full sun for best growth. Prune occasionally to maintain shape.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune after flowering to encourage new growth and prevent the plant from becoming too leggy.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, not providing enough sunlight, neglecting regular pruning.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:LeavesShoots
Edible uses: The heart seed plant's leaves and shoots are edible. Typically, they are prepared fresh in salads or cooked as a green vegetable.
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

129 native · 54 introduced
Distribution across5 continents· 129 native· 54 introduced
Europe4 regions
introduced (4)AlbaniaGreeceRussiaSpain
Asia21 regions
native (17)BangladeshCambodiaChinaIndiaLaosMaldivesMyanmarNepalOmanPakistanPhilippinesSaudi ArabiaSri LankaTaiwanThailandVietnamYemen
introduced (4)GeorgiaIraqSouth KoreaTurkey
Americas21 regions
native (21)BahamasBoliviaColombiaCosta RicaCubaDominican RepublicEcuadorEl SalvadorFrench GuianaGuatemalaGuyanaHaitiHondurasJamaicaNicaraguaParaguayPeruPuerto RicoSurinameUruguayVenezuela
Africa39 regions
native (39)AngolaBeninBotswanaBurkina FasoBurundiCabo VerdeCameroonChadComorosCôte d'IvoireEgyptEswatiniEthiopiaGabonGhanaGuineaGuinea-BissauKenyaLesothoLiberiaMadagascarMalawiMaliMauritaniaMauritiusMozambiqueNamibiaNigerNigeriaRwandaSenegalSierra LeoneSomaliaSudanTanzaniaTogoUgandaZambiaZimbabwe
Oceania4 regions
native (1)Fiji
introduced (3)New CaledoniaTongaVanuatu
Broader regions
native:Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, Cayman Is., Central African Repu, Chile Central, Congo, East Himalaya, Free State, Gulf of Guinea Is., Hainan, Jawa, KwaZulu-Natal, Laccadive Is., Leeward Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maluku, Marquesas, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Nansei-shoto, New Guinea, Northern Provinces, Northern Territory, Queensland, Réunion, Society Is., Solomon Is., Sulawesi, Sumatera, Trinidad-Tobago, Turks-Caicos Is., Venezuelan Antilles, West Himalaya, Western Australia, Windward Is., Zaïre
introduced:Alabama, Andaman Is., Arkansas, Ascension, Bermuda, Christmas I., Connecticut, Cook Is., Delaware, District of Columbia, East Aegean Is., Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Louisiana, Marianas, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New South Wales, New York, Nicobar Is., Niue, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South China Sea, Tennessee, Texas, Tuamotu, Tubuai Is., Virginia, Wallis-Futuna Is., Yugoslavia
IX

Specimen gallery

1 image
Cardiospermum halicacabum (Heart Seed) — botanical photograph
Heart Seed (Cardiospermum halicacabum)
XI

Explore further

Companion planting
Growing zone
XII

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