Try this - get a small laundrey basket at the dollar store. Plant your bleeding heart in that and then plant the whole thing in the ground. You can leave the rim above ground as a border or cover it completely. In late fall/early winter the plant loses most of it leaves and looks real woody. You can remover the entire thing from the ground and prune both the top and the roots. Replant in same place. Fertilize it when you see new growth in the spring. It should be in full bloom by late spring.

You might try posting this in the vines forum, or do a search to see if overwintering has already been discussed. I see on that it should be hardy to 30F or so. It looks like a beautiful plant. I do keep several tropicals inside over the winter (altho it never gets colder than 58F in my house!), some are dormant in pots in the cool basement (sweet potatoes, calla, dahlias, amaryllis) and others live in front of a sunny window being watered about once a week. I don't know which treatment would work for bleeding heart vine, but it sounds like it should be keep-able as long as your interior stays above 30F.

You don't sound foolish. Bottom heat is used to speed germination or help root cuttings. I use seed mats which are pretty much a heating pad specifically made for plants. I wouldn't use a regular heating pad. That's a fire hazard. The aren't made to withstand moisture or being used 24/7. You can find seed mats at some nurseries or you can find one on ebay. You shouldn't have to pay more then about $22 for a small seed mat. Karyn PS: Some people put their pots on top of the fridge.

I'd be happy to share, are you patient? My vine is new so it could be a while, it's healthy but little - just planted 4 weeks ago and beginning to grip the base of nearby fence. I haven't had any luck with these from seed, although I have one seed pot I haven't given up hope on yet (maybe my own fresh seed will make the difference next year). When I got the well-grown, well-rooted plant, I emailed the grower to thank him and tell him the plant had arrived in good condition. Also mentioned I hadn't been able to germinate d. scandens seed. They replied they didn't have results from seed for this vine either, their plants are cutting grown. Here is a link that might be useful: Lazy S's Farm