Finding and Caring for a Lipstick Plant of Your Own

With its vibrant flowers resembling tubes of lipstick, the aptly named lipstick plant is an eye-catching indoor plant Its unique blossoms and elegant foliage make it a popular choice to add charm and color to any space If you’re looking to incorporate a lipstick plant into your home, here’s what to know about buying one and providing the right care.

Where to Purchase a Lipstick Plant

Lipstick plants are not always easy to find at standard garden centers or big box stores. Check out these options for where to buy a lipstick plant for your home:

• Specialty Plant Nurseries – Visit local independent nurseries that focus on unique indoor plants, These often carry more rare varieties beyond everyday species,

• Online Retailers – Order a lipstick plant from an online indoor plant shop. Reputable sellers offer healthy guaranteed plants and overnight shipping.

• Local Plant Swaps – Connect with plant enthusiasts in your area and watch for lipstick plants offered at plant swaps and sales. This allows you to acquire locally grown specimens.

• Ethnic Grocery Stores – Many Latin American and Asian food markets sell plants, Search for these shops in your city and check if they stock lipstick plants

• Big Box Stores – While not always available, sometimes you can get lucky finding lipstick plants at large retailers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Walmart. Check seasonally.

What to Look for When Selecting a Lipstick Plant

When buying a lipstick plant, inspect it closely to ensure you choose a healthy specimen that will thrive in your care. Seek plants that exhibit:

• Full shaped leaves with no curling, spots, or browning
• Bright green leaves and stems with no discoloration
• Firm compact soil that is not mushy or excessively dry
• Established root system visible at the base
• Signs of new growth like buds forming
• No evidence of pests, webbing, or other issues

Avoid lipstick plants with damaged leaves or limp stems. Also beware of excessive dry soil or rootbound plants that need repotting. Select an actively growing plant.

Providing Optimal Growing Conditions

Lipstick plants require specific care to continue producing their signature blooms. Follow these tips to meet their needs:

• Light – Bright indirect light from an east or west window works best. Avoid direct hot sunlight.

• Temperature – They prefer warm temps between 65-80°F. Keep away from drafty areas.

• Water – Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Take care not to overwater.

• Humidity – Maintain average humidity around 40-50% to prevent leaf tip browning. Group plants or use a humidifier.

• Fertilizer – Feed monthly during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

• Soil – Use a well-draining potting mix and repot every 2-3 years as needed.

Encouraging Lipstick Plants to Bloom

Getting a lipstick plant to flower takes some persistence. Here are a few tricks to trigger blooming:

• Ensure the plant gets 12-14 hours of uninterrupted darkness daily. Keep in a dark room or cover at night.

• Provide bright light of around 1000 foot candles, using supplemental grow lights if needed. Strong light intensity promotes flowering.

• Allow the soil to dry out more between waterings when buds are forming. Drought stress can encourage blooms.

• Feed weekly with bloom-boosting fertilizer to fuel flower production. Use one made for orchids or African violets.

• Prune back any time except when buds are forming. Pruning stimulates new growth and future blooms.

Enjoying Gorgeous Lipstick Plant Flowers

With velvety crimson, pink, or coral blooms, it’s easy to see why the lipstick plant is so admired. A flowering lipstick plant can beautify any space with its vibrant display. To keep your plant flowering happily, give it the care it craves. Then you’ll be rewarded with an ongoing parade of these exotic beauties!