How to Care for a Lipstick Plant: A Complete Guide

The lipstick plant, also known as Aeschynanthus radicans, is a popular and easy-to-care-for houseplant prized for its cascading vines and vibrant red tubular flowers resembling a tube of lipstick. This evergreen perennial plant is native to tropical regions of Asia and is actually an epiphytic vine that grows on trees and rocks in humid forests. With the right care, the lipstick plant can thrive indoors and provide a lush, exotic look and months of blooms.

Providing the Right Growing Conditions

Here are some key tips for caring for a lipstick plant and helping it thrive:

• Light Lipstick plants need bright, indirect light to support growth and flowering East or west-facing windows are ideal. Direct hot sunlight can scorch the leaves. Insufficient light leads to sparse blooms and leaf drop

• Temperature: Ideal temperatures are 65-75°F. Cooler temperatures below 50°F can cause leaf drop. Avoid cold drafts and heating/AC vents.

• Humidity: High humidity mimicking the plant’s tropical origins is preferred. Use a humidifier or place the plant on a pebble tray. Regular misting of the leaves also helps.

• Soil: Use a loose, well-draining soil or potting mix. Adding perlite, vermiculite or sand improves drainage. Potting mixes for African violets also work well.

• Water: Water thoroughly when the top few inches of soil become dry. Avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot. Dump out excess water in the saucer after watering.

• Fertilizer: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer at 1/4 strength every 2-4 weeks in spring through fall. Slow release pellets also work.

Providing Support for Optimal Growth

The long cascading stems of the lipstick plant lend themselves perfectly to hanging baskets Choose a basket with good drainage. You can also grow them in pots using plant supports Some options are

• Bamboo stakes
• Moss poles
• Trellises
• Wall mounted supports and hangers

Position the support early before vines get too long and unwieldy. Gently tie the growing stems to the supports using soft plant ties or twine. Don’t wrap too tightly.

Encouraging Flowering

Lipstick plants flower most prolifically in spring and summer but can bloom year-round in optimal conditions Here are some tips to maximize blooms

• Ensure the plant gets enough bright, filtered sunlight. Insufficient light leads to reduced flowering.

• Use a fertilizer higher in phosphorus to promote blooming. African violet fertilizers work well.

• Provide moderate water, avoiding extremes of too dry or too wet.

• Keep daytime temperatures around 70-75°F and nights around 65°F. Cooler winter nights encourage new flower buds.

• Prune back long stems by 1/3 after flowering to stimulate new growth and blooms.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are some common problems you may encounter and how to fix them:

• Drooping leaves: This can indicate overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings. Insufficient light can also cause drooping.

• Leaf drop: Low temperatures, below 50°F, often cause leaf drop. Keep the plant away from cold drafts.

• Few flowers: Increase light exposure and ensure optimal temperatures. Fertilize regularly in spring through fall.

• Slow growth: Repot in a larger container if the plant is rootbound. Check for circling roots at drainage holes.

• Pests: Watch for aphids, mealybugs and spider mites. Wipe leaves with soap and water or use horticultural oils.

• Yellowing leaves: Overwatering and soggy soil leads to root rot and yellowing leaves. Allow soil to dry between waterings.

Tips for Pruning and Propagating

• Prune leggy stems back to 6 inches after flowering to encourage bushy regrowth. Remove dead or damaged growth at any time.

• Propagate new plants from 5-6 inch tip cuttings in spring or summer. Dip cut end in rooting hormone and plant in potting mix. Keep moist until rooted.

• Repot every 2-3 years or when potbound into a slightly larger container in fresh potting mix amended with sand or perlite.

Ideal Growing Areas and Companion Plantings

Lipstick plants are ideal for warm, humid areas like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. Group them with other tropical-looking plants like philodendrons, ferns and bromeliads. The red blooms also pop against greens like pothos.

Their dangling vines look fantastic in hanging baskets alone or mixed with trailing scaevola, fuchsias or petunias.

Key Takeaways

• Provide bright, indirect sunlight, high humidity, warm temperatures and well-draining soil.

• Water thoroughly but avoid extremes of too dry or wet.

• Fertilize regularly in the growing season and prune after flowering.

• Watch for pests, overwatering and cold drafts.

• Repot when potbound every 2-3 years.

With the proper care, the colorful flowers and lush dangling vines of the lipstick plant will add a dramatic tropical vibe to your indoor garden!

Yes, you can trim your lipstick plant, and it’s often beneficial for promoting bushier growth and more blooms. Pruning is especially helpful after the plant has finished flowering.