How to Grow Lipstick Plant
Wikimedia Commons
Lipstick Plant
Aeschynanthus radicosus
flowerLipstick Plant is a tropical trailing houseplant prized for its striking tubular flowers that emerge from dark red calyces, resembling lipstick tubes. Native to Southeast Asian rainforests, it features glossy green leaves and vibrant red or orange blooms that appear in clusters. This epiphytic plant thrives as a hanging basket specimen or trailing container plant indoors.
When should you plant Lipstick Plant in your zone?
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Example Lipstick Plant timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Lipstick Plant
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Lipstick Plant blooms
Mid-to-late summerBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Lipstick Plant dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 10b-11 outdoors; best grown as a houseplant in cooler climates
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Get my Lipstick Plant timeline →Growth Stages
Propagation/Rooting
2-4 weeksStem cuttings develop roots in warm, humid conditions with no visible above-ground growth initially
Use 3-4 inch stem cuttings with 3-4 nodes; maintain humidity with plastic dome or bag; keep at 70-75°F; change water if water-rooting every 3-4 days
Establishment
4-8 weeksYoung plant develops multiple leaf nodes and begins trailing vine growth; root system establishes in soil
Provide bright, indirect light; maintain consistent moisture; increase humidity to 60%+; pinch tips to encourage bushier growth if desired
Vegetative Growth
Several monthsTrailing stems lengthen with glossy green foliage; no flowers present; plant builds leaf canopy
Feed monthly with diluted balanced houseplant fertilizer; maintain bright indirect light; support trailing growth with stakes or allow to cascade from hanging basket
Pre-Flowering
2-4 weeksPlant matures; stem tips harden; buds begin to form in the red calyces at branch ends
Reduce watering slightly to encourage flowering; ensure 12-14 hours of bright light daily; maintain cool temperatures (65-70°F at night); reduce nitrogen fertilizer
Flowering & Fruiting
4-12 weeks (can repeat seasonally with rest periods)Distinctive red tubular flowers emerge from lipstick-shaped red calyces; blooms appear in clusters; flowers last several weeks
Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging; continue bright indirect light; feed with bloom-boosting fertilizer (higher phosphorus); maintain 50-70% humidity; remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; isolate infected plant; remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; repeat every 7-10 days
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Increase humidity to 60%+; spray leaves with water to dislodge; apply neem oil; ensure good air circulation
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Remove manually with toothpick or soft brush; apply horticultural oil or neem oil; repeat treatment every 7-14 days
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; improve air circulation
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Reduce soil moisture; use sand top-dressing; apply mosquito dunks to soil; use yellow sticky traps
Uses
Ornamental Houseplant Décor
HouseholdLipstick Plant's striking red and orange tubular flowers make it a dramatic accent piece for hanging baskets, shelves, or window displays. The trailing growth habit and exotic blooms add tropical elegance to indoor spaces. [source]
Hummingbird & Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeThe tubular red flowers are specifically adapted to attract hummingbirds and other nectar-feeding birds in tropical regions. Indoor growers may observe insect visitors to indoor blooms. [source]
Floral Arrangement & Cut Flower
CraftThe unique calyces and flowers can be used in fresh floral arrangements or as long-lasting cut flowers that remain vibrant for 1-2 weeks in water. [source]
Traditional Tropical Medicine
MedicinalIn Southeast Asian traditional medicine, Aeschynanthus species have been used for various herbal remedies, though scientific validation is limited. [source]
Air-Purifying Tropical Plant
HouseholdAs a leafy houseplant, Lipstick Plant contributes to indoor air quality while adding humidity through transpiration, beneficial for respiratory health. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Lipstick Plant is grown for ornamental flowers rather than harvest. Deadhead spent flowers by gently pinching off or cutting just below the calyx to encourage continued blooming. For propagation, take 3-4 inch stem cuttings just below a node in spring or early summer; cuttings root readily in water or moist soil mix within 2-4 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The plant's common name 'Lipstick Plant' comes from the distinctive bright red calyces (sepals) that resemble a tube of lipstick, with the tubular flower emerging from the top like lipstick being applied.
- 🌱 Aeschynanthus radicosus is an epiphytic plant, meaning it naturally grows on tree branches in rainforests rather than in soil, which is why it prefers light, well-draining orchid-like potting media.
- 🌱 The flowers are specifically adapted to hummingbird pollination with their tubular shape, bright red color, and copious nectar production—a relationship that evolved over millions of years in Southeast Asian rainforests.
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