Lipstick Plant Care And Growing Guide

The lipstick plant, scientifically known as Aeschyananthus radicans, is a popular and beginner-friendly houseplant known for its attractive cascading foliage and unique tubular flower that resembles lipstick.

It is an epiphytic plant, meaning it naturally grows on other plant-like trees and prefers well-draining, humid conditions. Similarly, the plant gets its common name from its unique flower-dark-colored tubes that open to reveal bright red blooms, reminiscent of a tube of lipstick.

These plants are also known for their fragrant aroma when in bloom.

Popular Varieties

Lipstick plants come in several attractive varieties with different leaf shapes and flower colors, making them a versatile and eye-catching addition to any indoor plant collection. Some of them are given below;

1. Curly Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans 'Curly'): This cultivar has wavy, curly leaves that give it a unique and eye-catching appearance, differentiating it from the standard smooth-leaved varieties.
2. Variegated Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans 'Variegata'): The leaves of this variety feature attractive variegation, with patterns of green, yellow, and white, which adds visual interest.
3. Tangerine Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans 'Tangerine'): It stands out with its bright orange-yellow flowers, rather than typical red blooms.
4. Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus longicaulis 'Black Pagoda'): The dark green, almost black foliage of this variety creates a striking contrast with its vibrant orange-red flowers.
5. Mona Lisa Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans 'Mona Lisa'): This cultivar has a more compact, bushy growth habit compared to the trailing varieties, making it well-suited for growing in containers.
6. Rasta Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans 'Rasta'): This unique variety features densely curled leaves that resemble dreadlocks, adding a whimsical touch to the plant.

These are just a few of the many interesting lipstick plant varieties available, each with its distinct characteristics and appeal. Regardless of the specific cultivar, lipstick plants make for beautiful, eye-catching houseplants that are relatively easy to care for.

Planting this plant is easy and enjoyable. To do so, follow these steps:

Choosing the Right Pot and Soil

• Pot Selection: Fill the pot with your chosen soil mix, leaving about an inch from the top.
• Soil Mix: Use a well-draining potting mix. A combination of peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark works well. This mix ensures proper aeration and prevents water logging, which can lead to root rot.

Planting Process

• Prepare the pot: Fill the pot with your chosen soil mix, leaving about an inch from the top.
• Planting: Gently remove the Lipstick Plant from its nursery pot, loosening the roots if they are compacted. Place it in the new pot, filling around the roots with soil. Press the soil down lightly to secure the plant.
• Watering:  Water the plant thoroughly until water drains from the bottom. This initial watering helps settle the soil around the roots.

While growing this beautiful plant, it's crucial to focus on the following aspects to ensure its healthy development and vibrant appearance:

Lighting

Lipstick plants need bright, indirect light to thrive. They should be placed 6-8 feet from a west or east-facing window where they can get sun for part of the day. Likewise, avoid direct scorching sun which can burn the leaves.

If a lipstick plant is not blooming, try giving it more light. Bright, filtered light is ideal to boost flowering, with sheer curtains helping to manage sun exposure.

Further, this plant can tolerate lower light conditions, but this will result in slower growth and fewer blooms. They do not do well in deep shade.

To supplement natural light indoors, lipstick plants can be grown under LED or fluorescent grow lights. Position the lights above the plant, keeping them close enough to mimic the sun but not so close as to scorch the leaves.

Watering

Lipstick plants need consistent moisture but should not be overwatered. Allow the top 25% of the soil to dry out before watering again. Likewise, make sure to empty any excess water from the sauces to prevent root rot.

Also, avoid getting water on the leaves as lipstick plants and susceptible to foliar fungal diseases.

Similarly, during the growing season of spring and summer, water about once a week. In the cooler months of fall and winter, reduce watering to every 2-3 weeks to avoid overwatering. Lipstick plants are better able to tolerate underwatering than overwatering, so it's best to err on the side of caution.

Soil

These plants thrive in a well-draining potting mix. A combination of perlite, sand, and a bit of regular potting soil works well to mimic their natural growing conditions and prevent root rot.

The soil should have good aeration and drainage. For this, avoid heavy, dense mixes that can become waterlogged.

Similarly, you can add peat moss to the soil mix to help retain some moisture. However, the soil should never be allowed to become soggy. As we know, this plant is epiphytic, so they prefer a coarse, airy potting medium.

Temperature and Humidity

Lipstick Plants flourish in warm, humid environments, preferring temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C). So, bypass exposing the plant to cold drafts or sudden temperature changes, as this can cause leaf drop.

To increase humidity, mist the plant regularly, use a pebble tray, or place it in a bathroom or kitchen.

Repotting

Repot your lipstick plant every 2-3 years, in the spring because it provides fresh soil and allows for growth. While repotting, choose a pot only slightly larger than the previous one to avoid overwatering.

Proper and healthy care is essential for this plant, so make sure to nurture it with adequate attention and affection. Thus, follow these steps:

Fertilization

Feed your Lipstick Plant every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Dilute the fertilizer to half the recommended strength to avoid over-fertilizing, which can harm the plant.

Pruning

Lipstick plants benefit from occasional pruning to maintain their shape and encourage bushier growth.

1. When to Prune?

The best time to prune lipstick plants is after they have finished flowering, typically in late spring or early summer. Pruning during the active growing season will stimulate new growth.

2. How to Prune?

Use clean, sharp pruners or scissors to make your cuts. Aim to remove up to one-third of the plant's length, cutting just above a leaf node or bud. This will promote branching and a fuller, more compact appearance.

Be sure to remove any dead, damaged, or overly long stems. Likewise, cutting back the longest vines will help the plant maintain a tidy, bushy habit.

3. Pruning Techniques

For a more sculpted look, use selective pruning. Identify the stems you want to move and make clean cuts. Plus, avoid haphazard or over-pruning, as this can stress the plant.

You can also pinch or trim the stem tips to encourage lateral branching and a fuller shape. Do this by snipping just above a leaf node.

Grooming 

In addition to pruning, regular grooming helps keep lipstick plants looking their best.

1. Deadheading

Remove spent flower blooms by snipping them off at the base. This redirects the plant's energy into producing new growth and flowers.

2. Leaf Cleaning

Wipe down the leaves periodically with a damp cloth to remove dust and debris. This improves the plant's appearance and photosynthesis.

3. Stalking and Trellising

Provide support for trailing or vining lipstick plants by staking or trellising them. This keeps the plant tidy and prevents the stems from becoming tangled.

With the right pruning and grooming techniques, you can maintain a healthy, attractive lipstick plant that will reward you with abundant blooms. Just be sure to time your pruning correctly and use clean, sharp tools.

Here are the key details on troubleshooting common problems when growing a lipstick plant:

Troubleshooting Lipstick Plant Issues

Despite their relatively easy care requirements, lipstick plants can sometimes encounter problems. Here are some common issues and how to address them:

1. Yellowing Leaves

Yellowing leaves on a lipstick plant are often a sign of overwatering or poor drainage. So, ensure the soil is allowed to partially dry out between waterings and that the pot has adequate drainage holes. Plus, reduces watering frequency, especially in cooler months.

Yellowing can also be caused by nutrient deficiencies. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season to provide necessary nutrients.

2. Drooping or Wilting Leaves

This sign usually indicates that the plant is not getting enough water. Check the soil moisture and water thoroughly when the top inch or two becomes dry. Avoid letting the plant sit in standing water.

Wilting can also occur if the plant is getting too much direct sun. Move it to a spot with bright, indirect light.

3. Lack of Blooms

If your lipstick plant is not producing flowers, it may need more light. Move the plant to a brighter location, ideally 6-8 feet from an east or west-facing window. Supplemental grow lights can also help stimulate flowering.

Insufficient nutrients can also inhibit blooming. Feed the plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.

Here are the essential details on pests, common diseases, and their solutions to ensure the healthy growth of a lipstick plant:

Pests

Lipstick plants can be susceptible to a few common pests:

• Aphids: Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of the plant, causing leaves to yellow and curl. To control aphids, spray the plant with a strong stream of water or use insecticidal soap.
• Mealybugs: They are white, cottony pests that feed on the plant's juices. They can cause stunted growth and leaf drop. Treat mealybugs by wiping them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or using neem oil.
• Spider Mites: Spider mites are tiny pests that spin fine webs on the undersides of leaves. They can cause leaves to yellow and drop. Increase humidity around the plant and spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil to get rid of spider mites.

Diseases

These plants can be susceptible to a few common fungal diseases:

• Leaf Spot: Leaf spot appears as dark, necrotic spots on the leaves. It's caused by fungal infections and can spread rapidly. Remove affected leaves and improve air circulation around the plant to prevent leaf spots.
• Root Rot: Overwatering or poor drainage can lead to root rot, causing the roots to decay. Symptoms include wilting, yellowing leaves, and a foul odor from the soil. Repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil and trim off any damaged roots.
• Botrytis Blight: Botrytis blight causes a gray, fuzzy mold to form on the leaves and stems. It thrives in cool, humid conditions. Improve airflow, reduce watering, and use a fungicide to control botrytis blight.

Solutions

• Inspect plants regularly and address issues promptly.
• Maintain proper growing conditions - bright, indirect light, and well-draining soil.
• Avoid overwatering and ensure good air circulation.
• Use insecticidal soaps, neem oil, or fungicides as needed.
• Remove and dispose of any severely affected plant parts.

With attentive monitoring and the right care, you can keep your lipstick plant healthy and thriving.

Let's discuss the key details of propagating this stunning plant by following these steps:

1. First, take stem cuttings from a healthy, vibrant lipstick plant. After that, cut just below a leaf node and remove the lower leaves, leaving the top leaves intact.
2. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth.
3. Plant the cutting in a well-draining potting mix in a pot with drainage holes. Ensure the leaf node is buried in the soil. 
4. Water the cutting and place it in a warm location with bright, indirect light[1][3]. Maintain high humidity around the cutting.
5. Roots should form within a few weeks. Once the roots are 2-3 inches long, transplant the cutting into a larger pot with regular potting mix.
6. After transplanting, water the plant regularly, which allows the soil to slightly dry out between waterings, Likewise, provide bright, indirect light and avoid direct sun which can burn the leaves. 
7. Fertilize the plant every 2-3 months during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.

Lipstick plants can also be propagated in water. For this, simply place the cutting in a glass of water, changing the water every few days. Once roots form, transplant them into the soil. Be patient, as rooting can take several weeks.

With proper care, your lipstick plant cutting will grow into a beautiful, trailing vine adorned with its signature red, tubular flowers. Propagation is an easy way to multiply your collection or share with friends.

Here are several reasons to add this dazzling plant to your home. Take a look,

Attractive Appearance

Lipstick plants (Aeschynanthus spp.) are prized for their vibrant, tubular red flowers that emerge from burgundy buds, creating a striking display. The glossy green foliage and trailing, vine-like habit also make them visually appealing as houseplants.

Air Purification

Lipstick plants are effective at removing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from indoor air, helping to improve air quality. This makes them a great choice for cleansing the air in your home.

Low Maintenance

 Lipstick plants are generally considered easy to care for, requiring only moderate watering, bright indirect light, and occasional fertilizing. They are a good option for those new to houseplant care.

Non-Toxic

Unlike many common houseplants, lipstick plants are non-toxic to pets, so they can be safely grown in homes with dogs, cats, or other animals.

Versatile Growth Habit

The trailing, vine-like growth of lipstick plants allows them to be displayed in hanging baskets, on shelves, or allowed to cascade down from high surfaces. This makes them suitable for a variety of indoor settings.

Symbolic Meaning

In some cultures, the lipstick plant is seen as a symbol of good fortune, growth, and nurturing peace in one's daily life. Growing this plant can have a positive psychological impact.