How to Grow and Care for the Red Lipstick Plant

The Red Lipstick Plant, Aeschynanthus radicans, is a trailing houseplant admired for its distinctive blooms. The plant earns its common name from the vibrant red, tubular flowers that emerge from a darker, maroon calyx, resembling a lipstick extending from its case. Native to Southeast Asia, it grows as an epiphyte on other plants, absorbing moisture from the air. This origin informs its needs, and its cascading vines are well-suited for hanging baskets or high shelves.

Red Lipstick Plant Care

Light

For the Red Lipstick Plant to flourish indoors, it requires bright, but filtered, light. An ideal location is near a window where it can receive gentle morning sun but is shielded from direct afternoon sunlight, which can scorch its leaves. The plant’s native habitat under a tropical canopy provides a model for its light needs. If the plant is exposed to too much direct sun, the leaves can burn, while insufficient light may lead to slower growth and fewer flowers.

Soil

Given its epiphytic nature, the Red Lipstick Plant thrives in a potting medium that is light, airy, and well-draining. A heavy, dense potting soil will retain too much moisture and can lead to root rot. To create a suitable mix, combine a standard potting soil with components like perlite or sphagnum moss to improve aeration and drainage. A pre-made mix designed for orchids can also provide the coarse structure these plants prefer.

Water

This plant appreciates consistent moisture but is highly sensitive to being overwatered. Water thoroughly when the top inch or two of the soil feels dry to the touch. After watering, ensure that any excess water is drained from the saucer to prevent the roots from sitting in saturated conditions, which can cause root rot. During the winter months, when growth naturally slows, you can reduce the frequency of watering.

Temperature and Humidity

As a tropical native, this plant prefers warm and humid conditions. It performs best in temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Protect the plant from sudden temperature fluctuations and cold drafts from windows or air conditioning vents, as this can cause leaves to drop. To increase humidity, you can group it with other plants, place a humidifier nearby, or use a pebble tray filled with water beneath the pot.

Fertilizer

During the active growing season of spring and summer, regular feeding supports healthy growth and flower production. Use a balanced, all-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer, but dilute it to half the recommended strength. Apply this diluted fertilizer every other week while the plant is actively growing. Always water the plant before fertilizing to ensure the soil is damp, which prevents the fertilizer from burning the roots.

Encouraging Blooms

Sufficient bright, indirect light is one of the most significant factors in promoting blooms. A plant in a location with inadequate light may appear healthy but will likely produce few, if any, flowers. The plant also tends to flower more readily when it is slightly root-bound in its container, as this can signal the plant to shift energy to flower production.

Regular feeding with a phosphorus-rich fertilizer during the growing season provides nutrients for developing buds. Removing spent flowers promptly can also encourage the plant to produce additional blooms.

Propagating the Lipstick Plant

The most straightforward method for propagating a Red Lipstick Plant is through stem cuttings, best performed during spring or summer. Select a healthy, non-flowering stem and take a cutting that is four to six inches long with several leaves. Remove the leaves from the lower portion of the cutting.

The prepared cutting can be rooted in either water or soil. To root in water, place the cutting in a jar of water in indirect light, making sure no leaves are submerged. For soil propagation, dip the cut end in rooting hormone and plant it in a well-draining potting mix, keeping the soil moist until new growth appears.

Common Problems and Solutions

A common issue is leggy growth, where stems become long and sparse with few leaves. This is often a result of insufficient light, prompting the plant to stretch. Pruning the elongated stems can encourage bushier, more compact growth and stimulate more flowering.

Yellowing leaves are frequently a sign of overwatering, which can lead to root rot if not addressed. The plant can also attract pests such as mealybugs or spider mites. These can be managed by wiping them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or by treating the plant with an insecticidal soap.