The lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) is a popular, striking, evergreen perennial, often grown as a houseplant. It gets its name from its vibrant red, tubular flowers that resemble a tube of lipstick. In the tropical areas where it lives naturally, this species grows on tree branches and in cracks in rocks. As a houseplant, it should be planted in a well-draining potting mix. You can enjoy a lot of flowers all year long if you give the plant enough warmth, humidity, and filtered sunlight. The summer and fall months will have the most flowers.
The lipstick plant, also known as Aeschynanthus radicans, is a popular and visually striking houseplant. Native to tropical Southeast Asia, it’s loved for its glossy leaves and bright red tubular flowers that resemble lipstick coming out of a tube.
Caring for a lipstick plant is easy as long as you can provide the right growing conditions. Here is a complete guide to successfully growing this eye-catching plant in your home.
Choosing the Right Potting Mix
Lipstick plants are epiphytes meaning they grow on other plants and obtain moisture and nutrients from the air and debris around them rather than through their roots. To mimic this environment they need a lightweight, airy potting mix that drains quickly.
The best potting mixes for lipstick plants include:
- African violet mix amended with perlite or orchid bark for extra drainage
- Equal parts peat moss, perlite, and bark or charcoal
- Commercial epiphyte mix
Avoid regular potting soil, as it will be too heavy and retain too much water. The potting mix should feel light and fluffy.
Providing the Right Light Conditions
In their native habitat, lipstick plants grow under the forest canopy. This provides bright but indirect light filtered through the trees above.
To encourage blooms and healthy growth, place your lipstick plant in a spot with similar conditions. East or west-facing windows are ideal. Protect the plant from direct midday sun which can scorch the leaves.
If light levels are too low, the plant may fail to flower or drop its leaves. Give it as much bright, indirect light as possible.
Maintaining the Ideal Temperature
Lipstick plants prefer warm temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C). Cooler temperatures below 55°F (13°C) can cause leaf drop.
Keep your plant away from drafty windows, air vents, and other sources of cold air. Moving it to a warmer location in winter can help stimulate blossoms.
Providing Consistent Moisture
As epiphytes, lipstick plants prefer moist but not soggy soil. Allow the top inch or two to dry out between waterings, then soak thoroughly until water drains from the pot.
Remove any water in the drainage saucer after 30 minutes so the roots don’t sit in standing water. American Violet Potting Mix combined with crushed charcoal is a good, commercially available mix for lipstick plants.
Increasing Humidity
The tropical environment of lipstick plants is warm and humid. Recreate these conditions as much as possible to prevent leaf loss and encourage blooms.
Ideas for increasing humidity around your plant include:
- Placing it on a pebble tray filled with water
- Using a humidifier
- Grouping plants together to create a humid microclimate
- Misting the leaves daily
- Growing it in a terrarium or Wardian case
Aim to keep the humidity around 40-50%. The bathroom is an ideal spot since showers and baths naturally boost ambient humidity.
Fertilizing for Healthy Growth
Feed lipstick plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every two weeks in spring and summer. This provides the nutrients they need for lush foliage and prolific flowers.
Reduce to monthly feedings in fall and winter when growth slows. Flush the soil monthly to prevent buildup of mineral salts.
Slow release fertilizer pellets mixed into the soil are another option. Follow label directions, usually applying 1-2 tablespoons per pot.
Supporting the Vining Stems
Lipstick plants have long, trailing stems that can reach several feet in length. Give yours proper support by providing stakes, trellises, hanging baskets, or other structures.
Pinching back the tips encourages fuller, bushier growth. Pruning also keeps the plant from becoming leggy or uneven.
Repotting When Rootbound
Check your lipstick plant’s roots annually in spring. Repot into fresh potting mix if it’s severely rootbound or pushing roots out the drainage holes.
Choose a pot one size larger and replenish about 1/3 of the roots when repotting. This reduces stress and encourages new growth.
Propagating from Cuttings
Take 4-6 inch tip cuttings from your lipstick plant in spring or summer for easy propagation. Remove the bottom leaves and place in water or moist potting mix.
Roots will emerge in a few weeks, allowing you to pot up the cutting in soil. Misting and using a rooting hormone can boost success rates.
Common Pests and Problems
Lipstick plants are prone to the same pests as other indoor plants, including:
- Aphids
- Mealybugs
- Scale
- Spider mites
Isolate and treat infested plants with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or other organic pesticides.
Overwatering is the most common cultural problem. Ensure the potting mix drains freely and allow more time between waterings if needed.
With the proper care, lipstick plants will thrive for many years in your home. Their sculptural stems and vibrant blooms make a stunning display. Follow this complete growing guide for success with this unique tropical plant.
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Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Lipstick plants don’t usually have major pest problems, but aphids, mealybugs, and mites can show up from time to time. These are best treated with horticultural oils or by washing off the pests with water spray.
If plants are allowed to get overly wet, they can be prone to fungal problems and leaf spot. The leaves should not be left damp, and the potting medium should be well-drained.
How Long Does Lipstick Plant Bloom?
Each bloom can last anywhere from a few days to a week, depending on how well the conditions are. The bloom season lasts for a long time, and these beautiful flowers will be in bloom nonstop for a few weeks.
Lipstick Plant Care Tips & Tricks | Lipstick Aeschynanthus Houseplant Care
FAQ
How often should I water a lipstick plant?
Can I put my lipstick plant outside in the summer?
Do lipstick plants like full sun?
How do you keep lipstick plants healthy?
How do you care for a lipstick plant?
Even with its impressive, tropical appearance, the lipstick plant is generally considered to be an easy-to-care-for flowering houseplant. Here are the main care requirements for growing a lipstick plant: Place in a position with bright, filtered light. Keep higher-than-average humidity levels and protection from sudden temperature changes.
How do I fix chapped lips?
Cold, dry weather and excessive exposure to sunlight can cause dry, chapped lips. Using non-irritant lip balms that contain sun protective agents like zinc oxide, shea butter, and mineral oil can help in healing chapped lips. Licking and pricking of lips should be avoided. Drinking plenty of water can be helpful.
How do you keep a lipstick plant from rotting?
This keeps the keep the soil light and airy. Sand or perlite are champions when it comes to improving the drainage of your soil mixture. These ingredients don’t hold onto very much water and let most of it drain to the bottom of the pot. These ingredients are essential to helping you prevent root rot with your Lipstick plant.
How do you repot a lipstick plant?
Pour 1 inch of African violet potting mix into the new container. Gently grasp the lipstick plant’s stems with your fingers at the soil line, tilt the container sideways, and pull the plant out of the old container. Use sharp scissors to snip off any excess roots growing out from the main root mass.
How to grow lipstick plants?
A mixture of perlite and sand is an excellent medium for starting your lipstick plant seeds. This combination ensures good drainage, reducing the risk of root rot, a common issue with these plants. For lipstick plants, the pot selection is crucial as they prefer to grow in a basket vine style.
Should I fertilize my lipstick plant?
During the fall and winter, when your plant isn’t growing very quickly, you should not fertilize your Lipstick plant at all, because this could put your plant at risk of overfertilizing. Overfertilizing causes the burning of your plant’s roots and could lead to your plant dying.