How to Grow Lipstick Plant
iNaturalist
Lipstick Plant
Aeschynanthus radicosus
flowerAeschynanthus radicosus, commonly known as the Lipstick Plant, is a tropical trailing houseplant prized for its distinctive tubular flowers that resemble a tube of lipstick emerging from dark calyces. Native to Southeast Asia, it thrives as an epiphytic plant in humid, warm environments and is popular as an ornamental houseplant grown in hanging baskets. The plant features glossy, fleshy foliage and produces striking red, orange, or yellow flowers depending on 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
Mid-to-late summerBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 11-12; grown as a houseplant in cooler climates
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Get my Lipstick Plant timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
3-4 weeksNew plant develops root system and begins producing new foliage; stems are thin and few leaves present
Maintain high humidity, bright indirect light, and consistent moisture; avoid fertilizing; allow plant to acclimate for 2-3 weeks before any pruning
Vegetative Growth
6-12 monthsPlant produces multiple trailing stems with glossy, dark green, lance-shaped leaves spaced along vines; no flowers present yet
Provide bright, indirect light and warm temperatures (65-75°F); fertilize every 2-3 weeks with diluted balanced fertilizer; maintain humidity; pinch stem tips to encourage branching
Pre-flowering
4-8 weeksPlant matures with fuller, denser foliage; stems lengthen significantly and may reach 12-24 inches; buds begin forming at leaf axils
Continue regular fertilization; slightly reduce watering frequency to encourage flowering; ensure 10-12 hours of light daily; cool nights (55-60°F) promote bud set
Flowering
4-12 weeks (can be extended with proper care)Dramatic tubular flowers emerge from dark burgundy or purple calyces, appearing like tubes of lipstick; flowers typically red, orange, or yellow and last 2-3 weeks
Maintain consistent moisture and humidity; reduce nitrogen fertilizer and apply phosphorus-rich fertilizer to support blooming; deadhead spent flowers to encourage additional blooms; avoid moving plant during flowering
Post-flowering & Rest
4-8 weeksFlowers fade and drop; plant enters dormant or semi-dormant period; growth slows and foliage may look less vibrant
Reduce watering and fertilizing; provide cooler temperatures (55-65°F); maintain adequate light; prune back leggy or weak stems; this rest period is crucial for next cycle of blooming
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; isolate plant; wipe affected areas with alcohol-soaked cotton swab
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Increase humidity; spray leaves with water; apply neem oil or miticide if severe; improve air circulation
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Remove manually with soft brush; apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; quarantine plant
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Allow soil surface to dry slightly; use yellow sticky traps; apply gnat-specific insecticide if infestation is heavy
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7-10 days
Uses
Indoor ornamental houseplant
HouseholdThe Lipstick Plant is prized as a decorative indoor plant, particularly in hanging baskets or on shelves where trailing stems can cascade. Its dramatic flowers add tropical color and interest to interior spaces year-round. [source]
Floral arrangements and displays
CraftThe unique tubular flowers are striking additions to tropical-themed floral arrangements and can be used fresh in shallow water arrangements. The trailing stems with blooms create dramatic visual displays. [source]
Pollinator attraction indoors
WildlifeThe tubular flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and various pollinators in outdoor or conservatory settings. Growing the plant near windows can attract these beneficial visitors. [source]
Air purification and humidity regulation
HouseholdLike many tropical plants, Aeschynanthus radicosus contributes to indoor air quality and the regular misting required for care helps increase ambient humidity in dry indoor environments. [source]
Harvest Tips
Lipstick plants are grown for ornamental flowers rather than harvest. Enjoy flowers in place on the plant for 2-3 weeks. For propagation, take 3-4 inch stem cuttings just below a node after flowering; root in moist perlite or water in bright, indirect light with high humidity.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The common name 'Lipstick Plant' derives from the flower's appearance—the bright tubular corolla emerges from a dark, burgundy calyx like lipstick being applied, and the burgundy-black sepals resemble a lipstick tube.
- 🌱 Aeschynanthus radicosus is an epiphytic plant in its native tropical rainforests, meaning it naturally grows on tree branches rather than soil, which is why it prefers orchid-bark-based soil mixes that mimic this environment.
- 🌱 The plant is sometimes reluctant to bloom indoors; providing a cool, dry rest period of 4-6 weeks in winter with temperatures around 55-60°F is essential to trigger flower bud formation the following spring.
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