How to Grow Lipstick Plant
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Lipstick Plant
Aeschynanthus longicaulis
flowerAeschynanthus longicaulis, commonly known as lipstick plant, is a tropical epiphytic trailing vine prized for its distinctive tubular flowers that emerge from dark burgundy calyces, resembling lipstick tubes. Native to Southeast Asian rainforests, it thrives as a houseplant in hanging baskets or on shelves where its long, arching stems can cascade gracefully. The plant produces glossy, dark green foliage and vibrant red, orange, or yellow flowers depending on the variety.
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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
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
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 11-12; grown as a houseplant in cooler climates
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Establishment
4-6 weeksYoung plant with small stems and limited foliage; may appear delicate with sparse leaf coverage
Maintain high humidity and consistent moisture. Use rooting hormone for cuttings. Avoid fertilizing for first month. Keep in warm conditions (65-75°F).
Vegetative Growth
8-12 weeksStems lengthen and fill in with glossy dark green leaves; plant becomes fuller and trailing stems extend noticeably
Feed monthly with diluted balanced or flower-promoting fertilizer. Maintain bright indirect light and humidity. Pinch growing tips to encourage branching.
Pre-flowering
3-4 weeksLeaf nodes darken or may develop slight reddish tones; new growth appears slightly slower as plant redirects energy
Continue consistent watering and humidity. Switch to phosphorus-rich fertilizer to promote blooming. Ensure adequate light (minimum 10 hours daily).
Flowering
6-12 weeks (can repeat if conditions are ideal)Distinctive tubular flowers emerge from dark burgundy calyces along the stems; flowers range from red to orange or yellow depending on variety
Maintain high humidity and bright light to sustain blooms. Continue watering when soil surface dries slightly. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
Rest/Post-bloom
4-8 weeksFlowering slows; plant may appear less vigorous; older stems may lose lower leaves naturally
Reduce watering slightly and allow brief drying between waterings. Reduce fertilizer frequency. Provide cooler temperatures (60-65°F) for 4-6 weeks to reset flowering cycle. Prune leggy growth.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7-10 days; isolate affected plant; manually remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swab
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Increase humidity significantly; spray leaves with water; use miticide or neem oil if infestation is severe
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Manually scrape off with soft brush; treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; repeat every 2 weeks as needed
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase air circulation
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Improve drainage immediately; repot in fresh, dry medium; reduce watering frequency; remove affected roots; consider fungicide treatment
Uses
Indoor Ornamental Display
HouseholdLipstick plant is an excellent tropical houseplant for hanging baskets, shelves, or macramé hangers, adding vibrant color and elegant trailing foliage to indoor spaces. Its stunning red, orange, or yellow tubular flowers make it a striking focal point in bright rooms. [source]
Living Floral Arrangements
CraftThe cut flowers of lipstick plant can be used in fresh floral arrangements, corsages, and botanical displays due to their distinctive waxy texture and long-lasting tubular blooms. The trailing stems create graceful cascading effects in mixed arrangements. [source]
Hummingbird and Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeThe tubular flowers of Aeschynanthus longicaulis are specially adapted to attract hummingbirds and certain bee species in tropical regions. Growing this plant outdoors in warm climates can support local pollinators and create a living nectar source. [source]
Traditional Ethnobotanical Uses
MedicinalIn Southeast Asian traditional medicine, some Aeschynanthus species have been used in herbal remedies, though scientific validation is limited. The plant is valued in its native regions for various applications in folk medicine practices. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
This ornamental plant is not harvested for yield but enjoyed for continuous flowering. Pinch stem tips regularly to encourage branching and fuller growth. Remove spent flowers and dead stems to redirect energy to new blooms. For propagation, take 4-6 inch stem cuttings just below a leaf node in spring or summer; root in humid conditions or water.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The common name 'lipstick plant' refers to the striking resemblance of the flower to an open lipstick tube—the tubular red or orange corolla extends from a dark burgundy or maroon calyx that looks like a lipstick case.
- 🌱 Aeschynanthus longicaulis is an epiphytic plant in its native rainforest habitat, meaning it grows on tree branches and trunks rather than in soil, which is why it thrives in loose, chunky potting media that mimics its natural growing conditions.
- 🌱 The plant can bloom nearly year-round under ideal conditions with consistent warmth, humidity, and bright light, making it one of the more rewarding tropical houseplants for continuous flower production.
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