Aeschynanthus radicans

Lipstick Plant Care & Identification Guide

An eye-catching, cascading tropical beauty, the Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) is famous for its bright red, tubular flowers that emerge from dark purple sheaths, perfectly mimicking a tube of lipstick. Ideal for hanging baskets where its trailing, leathery green vines can drape gracefully, this pet-safe epiphyte brings a playful, high-contrast touch of tropical jungle drama indoors. It is widely celebrated by botanists for its distinct environmental adaptability and structural appeal.

Sunlight Bright Indirect

Watering Moderate

Soil Mix Lightweight

Temperature 18°C - 27°C

Toxicity Non-toxic

Botanical macro photography of Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) - Plant AI care database

How to Identify Lipstick Plant

A trailing, epiphytic tropical perennial featuring cascading, arching woody stems lined with thick, paired leaves, yielding spectacular tube-emerging red flowers.

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Key Visual Features: Trailing or arching vines with thick, leathery, dark-green ovate leaves arranged in opposite pairs; tubular flowers that emerge from dark maroon, cup-like calyces.
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Color Variations: Vibrant scarlet-red, crimson, and coral-orange flowers emerging from deep maroon, purplish-black tubular calyces.
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Common Confusions: Can be confused with Goldfish Plant (Nematanthus) or Hoya, but the Lipstick Plant is easily identified by its unique flower buds that emerge from a dark purple sheath like a tube of lipstick, and its paired, non-variegated matte-leathery leaves.

💡 Plant AI Tip: If you are not sure, take a photo with Plant AI to identify it instantly.

Complete Care & Cultivation Guide

Follow our detailed scientific care guide to keep your Lipstick Plant thriving and gorgeous all year round.

Lipstick Plant requires a highly measured water supply. Typically, water thoroughly until it drains out of the bottom holes only when the top soil layer becomes dry. Based on its specific characteristics: Moderate (Keep soil evenly moist but never wet; water when the top 1 inch of soil is dry; reduce watering slightly in winter). Never allow the roots to sit in stagnant water as it leads to root decay. Reduce watering significantly during autumn and winter dormant phases.

Regular deadheading is essential for Lipstick Plant. Snip off faded, spent flowers immediately to prevent seed production and redirect the plant's energy into producing fresh new buds. Trim yellowing or damaged foliage near the stem base using sterilized bypass shears.

Feed Lipstick Plant heavily in spring and summer with a fertilizer high in phosphorus to support prolific bud development and rich petal color. Apply a diluted balanced flower liquid fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks. Avoid excess nitrogen which results in massive green leaves but sparse blooms.

Lipstick Plant requires Bright, indirect filtered light (Enjoys bright conditions to stimulate heavy blooming; harsh direct sun will burn their fleshy leaves). Provide bright, consistent indirect filtered sunlight daily. Avoid exposing the foliage to harsh direct midday sun which can easily bleach, scorch, or dry out the delicate leaves.

The optimal substrate for Lipstick Plant is a loose, rich, exceptionally fast-draining potting soil. Based on requirements: Lightweight, highly porous, fast-draining potting mix (Equal parts peat moss, perlite, and coarse orchid bark). A standard high-aeration mix consists of 50% organic peat moss or coco coir, 30% chunky orchid bark or pumice, and 20% coarse perlite to facilitate excellent oxygen circulation.

Easily propagate Lipstick Plant using stem cuttings in spring. Cut a healthy 4-inch stem section just below a node, remove lower leaves, and submerge the node in clean water or moist perlite mix until active roots develop in 3 weeks.

Thrives in standard warm environmental conditions: 18°C - 27°C (64°F - 80°F); thrives in high humidity and warm temperatures, highly sensitive to cold drafts below 13°C (55°F). Keep the plant safe from cold drafts, drafty windows, air conditioning vents, or direct heaters. Ensure winter protection is maintained to prevent cellular damage and floppy leaf decay.

Choose a heavy unglazed clay or terracotta container with multiple bottom drainage holes. Terracotta allows excess soil moisture to breathe and evaporate safely. Repot the plant every 1 to 2 years in spring, upgrading to a container that is 2 inches wider.

Regularly inspect Lipstick Plant leaves for spider mites spinning fine webs under dusty leaves, cottony mealybugs hiding in leaf joints, or scale insects on stems. Treat immediately by wiping foliage with organic neem oil solution or spraying with mild insecticidal soap every 7 days.

Lipstick Plant can be affected by: • **Botrytis Blight (Gray Mold)**: Symptoms include Fuzzy gray fungal spots attacking leaves and flowers in excessively humid, stagnant air, causing them to turn mushy and drop.. *Action*: Improve air circulation around the hanging basket, avoid wetting the leaves, and trim away infected stems. | • **Root Rot (Pythium)**: Symptoms include Soggy, rotted roots and yellowing, dropping leaves caused by planting in heavy soil that retains water.. *Action*: Repot into a highly aerated orchid-bark and perlite potting mix, allowing the top soil to dry between waterings.. Always prioritize soil drainage and proper air circulation. Spray leaves with organic fungicides like copper fungicide or chamomile tea sprays to prevent bacterial leaf spot spreads.

The secret to a gorgeous Lipstick Plant is consistent placement and cleaning. Avoid rotating or moving the plant frequently as sudden environmental shifts can induce shock. Wipe leaves with a damp microfiber cloth monthly to clear dust and enhance natural photosynthesis.

Common Diseases & Treatment

Botrytis Blight (Gray Mold)

Symptoms: Fuzzy gray fungal spots attacking leaves and flowers in excessively humid, stagnant air, causing them to turn mushy and drop.

Action: Improve air circulation around the hanging basket, avoid wetting the leaves, and trim away infected stems.

Root Rot (Pythium)

Symptoms: Soggy, rotted roots and yellowing, dropping leaves caused by planting in heavy soil that retains water.

Action: Repot into a highly aerated orchid-bark and perlite potting mix, allowing the top soil to dry between waterings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I encourage my Lipstick Plant to bloom?

Give it bright light and humidity! The primary reason a Lipstick Plant fails to flower is low light. Hang it in a location that gets plenty of bright, filtered indirect sunlight (such as near an east-facing window) and mist it regularly or use a humidifier to mimic its native tropical jungle environment.

Is the Lipstick Plant safe for cats and dogs?

Yes! The Lipstick Plant is completely non-toxic to dogs, cats, and humans. It is one of the most stunning, pet-safe trailing plants you can hang in your home, allowing you to enjoy lush, cascading green vines and bright red blooms without worrying about pet safety.

Why is my Lipstick Plant shedding its leaves?

Cold drafts or wet feet! This tropical epiphyte is highly sensitive to sudden environmental changes. If it is exposed to cold window drafts (below 13°C/55°F) or if its roots are sitting in soggy, waterlogged soil, it will respond by rapidly dropping its leaves. Keep it warm and let the soil dry out slightly.

How do I propagate my Lipstick Plant?

Through stem cuttings! Propagating is incredibly easy. Cut a 4-inch healthy stem tip that has no flowers, remove the bottom leaves, and insert it into a moist mix of perlite and peat moss. Keep it warm, moist, and in bright indirect light; it will root within a few weeks.