Lipstick Plant
Aeschynanthus radicans
A trailing tropical epiphyte named for its tubular red flowers that emerge from dark, lipstick-tube-shaped buds. It makes a lush, flowering hanging-basket plant when given warmth and bright light.
- Light
- Bright indirect light
- Water
- Keep lightly moist; let surface dry
- Difficulty
- Moderate
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Overview
The Lipstick Plant is an epiphytic vine in the gesneriad family, related to African violets. In its native rainforests it grows perched on tree branches, sending down trailing stems lined with waxy leaves.
Its signature feature is the bright red, tubular flower that pokes from a dark maroon calyx, looking remarkably like a lipstick emerging from its tube. With the right light and humidity it blooms repeatedly, making it a favorite for hanging baskets.
How to identify it
Identify it by trailing stems of thick, glossy leaves and clusters of red tubular flowers at the tips.
- Habit: trailing or cascading vine, stems 1-3 ft long
- Leaves: thick, waxy, dark green, oval, in opposite pairs
- Flowers: bright red, tubular, ~2 in long, emerging from a dark purple-maroon calyx
- Bloom clusters: form mostly at the ends of stems
- Roots: epiphytic, adapted to grip bark in the wild
Care & growing
Light: Bright, indirect light encourages blooming; avoid harsh midday sun.
Water: Keep the mix lightly moist in growth, letting the top inch dry; reduce in winter.
Soil: Light, airy, well-draining mix; an epiphyte blend works well.
Temperature: Warm, 65-80F, with good humidity.
Feeding: Dilute bloom-supporting fertilizer every 2-4 weeks while growing.
Propagation: Stem-tip cuttings root readily in moist mix. Prune after flowering to keep the plant full and encourage new blooms.
Habitat & origin
Native to the tropical forests of the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, and surrounding Southeast Asia, where it grows as an epiphyte on rainforest trees.
It is cultivated worldwide as a flowering houseplant, especially in hanging baskets where its trailing, blooming stems can spill freely.
Frequently asked questions
Why isn't my Lipstick Plant flowering?
Usually too little light. It needs bright, indirect light to set buds. A slightly pot-bound plant and regular feeding also help trigger blooms.
Why are the leaves dropping?
Leaf drop is typically caused by cold drafts, sudden temperature swings, or letting the soil get too dry or too soggy. Keep it warm and evenly moist.
Should I prune it?
Yes. Trim leggy stems after a bloom cycle to encourage branching, fuller growth, and more flowers.
How do I recognize a Lipstick Plant?
Look for trailing stems of thick, waxy, dark green paired leaves and bright red tubular flowers that emerge from dark maroon calyxes at the stem tips.
Lipstick Plant guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Lipstick Plant.
