Little heartleaf is an evergreen herbaceous perennial in the pipevine family (Aristolochiaceae) native to Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. It is found in woodlands. It is a member of the pipevine family (Aristolochiaceae). The species epithet is Latin for “smaller,” and references the size of the leaves relative to other species. Little heartleaf prefers dappled shade to partial shade, but not full shade, in moist, well-drained soil that is not allowed to dry out. Propagate by seed or division. If conditions are right, it will self-sow. The leaves grow directly from the underground rhizomes and are heart-shaped, green with silver markings and up to 5 inches long. The unusual flowers lie along the ground from leaf axils and are chestnut brown and bell-shaped, with a constriction near the base. They are slightly malodorous, but the odor is noticeable only close to the flower. The leaves and stems have a slight ginger or peppery smell but should not be eaten. Use as a groundcover in a woodland or shade garden, native garden, rock garden or winter garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Snails and slugs are occasionally troublesome. More information on Asarum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 10 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Creeping
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cordate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are attractively patterned with silver variegation overlaying the green.
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flowers are tubular to bell-shaped and widest near the middle of the tube. The three sepal lobes (there are no petals) are spreading and speckled on their interior.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Green
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is a fleshy capsule that opens irregularly.