Fast growing heart shaped leaf plants include species like sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas), elephant ear (Colocasia and Alocasia), morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea), and catalpa trees. These plants are prized for their rapid growth and striking, heart-shaped foliage, making them an excellent choice for gardeners seeking lush greenery and bold visual impact. Learn about the best varieties, care tips, and how to choose the right plant for your garden below.
Understanding Heart Shaped Leaf Plants
Plants with heart shaped leaves are found across many plant families and can be either ornamental or edible. The classic heart-shaped (cordate) leaf is broadest below the middle, with a distinct notch at the base. This leaf shape is not only attractive but often associated with fast-growing, vigorous species. Many of these plants thrive in warm, moist conditions and can quickly fill garden beds, provide ground cover, or serve as striking focal points in landscape design.
Top Fast Growing Heart Shaped Leaf Plants
- Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas): An ornamental relative of the edible sweet potato, this vine boasts vibrant green, purple, or variegated heart-shaped leaves. It is fast growing, spreading rapidly in beds or containers, and is often used as a ground cover or trailing plant in hanging baskets.
- Elephant Ear (Colocasia and Alocasia): These tropical perennials are known for their huge, heart-shaped leaves that can reach up to three feet across. They are extremely fast growers in warm, moist soil and can create a dramatic, jungle-like effect.
- Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea): An annual vine with soft, heart-shaped leaves and showy trumpet flowers. Morning glories can climb trellises, fences, and arbors rapidly, covering structures within a single growing season.
- Catalpa Tree (Catalpa speciosa): A deciduous tree with large, heart-shaped leaves and clusters of white flowers. While slower than vines, catalpas are among the faster-growing shade trees and can reach significant size in a decade.
- Redbud Tree (Cercis canadensis): This small tree is cherished for its early spring flowers and attractive heart-shaped leaves. Redbuds grow quickly in their youth, making them popular in ornamental landscaping.
- Houttuynia cordata: A vigorous, spreading groundcover with heart-shaped leaves, often variegated in shades of green, yellow, and red. Known for its rapid spread, especially in moist soils.
- Philodendron hederaceum (‘Heartleaf Philodendron’): Although more commonly grown indoors, this vine can thrive outdoors in frost-free gardens, rapidly climbing or trailing with lush heart-shaped foliage.
How Fast Growth Works in These Plants
Fast-growing heart-shaped leaf plants typically possess vigorous root systems and high rates of photosynthesis, allowing them to produce new leaves and stems rapidly. Many are adapted to environments where quick growth is advantageous, such as tropical forests or disturbed soils. For example, sweet potato vines and morning glories are known for their ability to cover bare ground quickly, outcompeting weeds and stabilizing soil. Trees like catalpa and redbud invest energy in rapid early growth to reach sunlight above competing vegetation.
Growth rates will vary depending on climate, soil fertility, water availability, and sunlight. In optimal conditions, some of these species can double in size within a single season. For example, sweet potato vine can extend several feet in just weeks, while elephant ear plants may produce massive new leaves every few days during peak summer.
How to Choose the Right Plant for Your Garden
Selecting the best fast growing heart shaped leaf plant for your garden depends on several factors:
- Climate: Tropical and subtropical species like elephant ear and sweet potato vine require warm temperatures and may not survive frost. Catalpa and redbud trees are more cold-hardy.
- Space: Vines like morning glory and sweet potato vine need room to spread or climb, while trees require space for their mature canopy. Groundcovers like Houttuynia can be invasive in small gardens.
- Sunlight: Most of these plants prefer full to partial sun. Dense shade may reduce growth rates and leaf size.
- Soil Moisture: Elephant ears and Houttuynia thrive in moist to wet soils, while catalpa and redbud tolerate average garden conditions.
- Purpose: Decide if you want a fast-growing screen, groundcover, shade tree, or ornamental accent. Sweet potato vine is ideal for containers and borders, while catalpa provides shade and structure.
Care and Maintenance Tips
Fast-growing plants typically require regular maintenance to keep them healthy and under control. Here are some key care tips:
- Watering: Most fast growers need consistent moisture, especially during establishment and peak growth periods.
- Fertilization: Fast growth demands nutrients. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring, and supplement with compost or organic matter.
- Pruning: Vines may need trimming to prevent them from overwhelming nearby plants. Remove dead or damaged leaves to encourage new growth.
- Pest Management: Watch for common pests like aphids, caterpillars, and snails, which may be attracted to lush, tender foliage.
- Winter Protection: In colder zones, dig up tubers (elephant ear, sweet potato) or bring container plants indoors before frost.
Potential Problems and Considerations
While fast-growing heart-shaped leaf plants offer quick results, there are some challenges to consider:
- Invasiveness: Some species, such as Houttuynia cordata and morning glory, can become invasive in favorable conditions, spreading aggressively and outcompeting other plants.
- Size Management: Elephant ears and catalpa trees can become very large, potentially shading out smaller plants or interfering with structures.
- Maintenance Needs: Rapid growth means more frequent pruning, cleanup of fallen leaves, and potential for root spread beyond intended areas.
- Pest and Disease Susceptibility: Lush, fast-growing foliage can attract pests and may be prone to fungal diseases in humid climates.
Consider using root barriers, regular monitoring, and prompt intervention to minimize these issues.
Comparing Popular Options
Here’s how some of the most common fast-growing heart-shaped leaf plants stack up:
- Sweet Potato Vine: Extremely fast, suitable for annual beds and containers, not cold hardy, easy to control by trimming.
- Elephant Ear: Dramatic size, loves wet soils, dies back in cold but can be overwintered indoors, may need staking.
- Morning Glory: Rapid climber, self-seeds prolifically, annual in most climates, best for vertical spaces.
- Catalpa Tree: Fast for a tree, large size at maturity, provides shade, deciduous with showy flowers, minimal maintenance once established.
- Redbud Tree: Smaller tree, fast early growth, beautiful spring display, suitable for smaller gardens.
Groundcovers like Houttuynia offer quick coverage but should be planted with caution due to their aggressive nature.
Cost and Availability
Most fast-growing heart-shaped leaf plants are affordable and widely available at garden centers or online nurseries. Sweet potato vine and morning glory seeds are inexpensive and easy to start. Elephant ear tubers and catalpa saplings may cost more, especially for larger or specialty varieties. Redbud trees can be found as bare-root or potted plants, with prices varying by size and cultivar. Always check if a species is considered invasive or restricted in your region before purchasing.
Alternatives for Different Needs
If you’re concerned about invasiveness or want lower maintenance, consider slower-growing heart-shaped leaf plants such as:
- Lilac (Syringa vulgaris): Shrubs with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant flowers, moderate growth rate.
- Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense): Native groundcover for shade, slow spread, attractive heart-shaped foliage.
- Brunnera macrophylla: Shade-loving perennial with bold, heart-shaped leaves, slower and more contained growth.
These alternatives provide similar leaf shapes with less risk of aggressive spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which heart-shaped leaf plant is best for quick ground cover?
Sweet potato vine and Houttuynia cordata are among the fastest ground covers, spreading rapidly in warm, moist conditions. However, monitor Houttuynia carefully as it can become invasive. - Can I grow these plants indoors?
Some, such as heartleaf philodendron and sweet potato vine, can be grown indoors in containers with adequate light. Elephant ear can also be grown as a houseplant if provided with humidity and space. - Are fast-growing heart-shaped plants safe for pets?
Many, including philodendrons and elephant ears, are toxic if ingested by pets. Always research toxicity before planting if you have cats or dogs that may chew on foliage. - How do I control the spread of invasive species?
Use containers, root barriers, or regular pruning to contain vigorous spreaders like Houttuynia or morning glory. Remove unwanted shoots promptly and avoid letting seeds disperse. - Do these plants require a lot of fertilizer?
They benefit from regular feeding, especially in poor soils, but avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to weak, leggy growth. Use a balanced fertilizer as directed. - What’s the fastest growing heart-shaped leaf tree?
The catalpa tree is one of the fastest-growing options, often reaching significant heights within a decade and providing large, showy leaves and flowers.
Conclusion
Fast growing heart shaped leaf plants offer gardeners a quick way to achieve lush, attractive landscapes. With choices ranging from vines and groundcovers to shade trees, there’s a heart-leafed plant for nearly any garden setting. Consider your climate, space, and maintenance preferences when selecting a species, and take steps to manage their vigorous growth. With proper care, these plants can become show-stopping features in your garden within a single season.