How to Grow Lipstick Plant 'Ruby'
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Lipstick Plant 'Ruby'
Aeschynanthus radicosus 'Ruby'
flowerAeschynanthus radicosus 'Ruby' is a tropical epiphytic plant prized for its vibrant deep red tubular flowers that resemble lipstick tubes emerging from dark calyces. This trailing houseplant features glossy, succulent-like foliage and is ideal for hanging baskets or as a cascading specimen. It blooms profusely under proper conditions, adding dramatic color to indoor spaces.
When should you plant Lipstick Plant 'Ruby' in your zone?
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Example Lipstick Plant 'Ruby' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Lipstick Plant 'Ruby'
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 'Ruby' blooms
Mid-to-late summerBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Lipstick Plant 'Ruby' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 10b-11; grown indoors as a houseplant in cooler climates
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Get my Lipstick Plant 'Ruby' timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
3-4 weeksYoung plant with small glossy leaves and developing root system establishing in soil mix.
Keep humidity high (60-70%), maintain consistent moisture, provide bright indirect light, and avoid temperature fluctuations. Delay fertilizing for 2-3 weeks.
Vegetative Growth
6-12 weeksPlant produces trailing stems with glossy green foliage; no flowers yet. Stems elongate and develop a cascading form.
Maintain consistent watering and humidity. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with diluted balanced or bloom-promoting fertilizer. Provide 12+ hours of bright indirect light daily.
Flowering Initiation
2-4 weeksBuds begin to form in the leaf axils, enclosed in dark red calyces. Flower buds gradually enlarge.
Reduce nitrogen slightly and increase phosphorus/potassium in fertilizer. Maintain warm temperatures (70-80°F), high humidity, and stable growing conditions. Avoid moving or disturbing the plant.
Flowering
4-12 weeks (can re-bloom multiple times yearly)Bright lipstick-red tubular flowers emerge dramatically from burgundy calyces. Multiple flowers bloom in succession along stems.
Continue consistent watering and feeding with bloom fertilizer. Maintain humidity and warmth. Provide bright indirect light to sustain blooms. Flowers last 1-2 weeks each.
Rest/Dormancy
2-3 monthsFlowering slows or stops, typically in fall/winter. Plant may drop some leaves and growth slows.
Reduce watering slightly but maintain soil moisture. Lower fertilizing frequency to monthly or stop. Maintain 60-70°F temperatures if possible. Reduce to 10-12 hours of light. Resume active care in spring.
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 leaves with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs
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Increase humidity, mist regularly, spray with water; use miticide if severe; improve air circulation
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Remove manually with soft brush; treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; repeat every 7-10 days
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Yellow sticky traps, insecticidal soap, neem oil; improve air circulation; isolate infested plant
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Repot in fresh well-draining soil, reduce watering, improve drainage; avoid water-logged conditions
Uses
Indoor decoration & air purification
HouseholdThe 'Ruby' lipstick plant serves as a striking trailing houseplant for hanging baskets, shelves, or moss poles, adding tropical elegance to interior spaces. Like other houseplants, it helps purify indoor air by filtering carbon dioxide. [source]
Hummingbird and pollinator attraction
WildlifeIn tropical and subtropical settings, the vibrant red tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and other nectarivorous species, making it valuable for pollinator gardens. [source]
Botanical specimen & propagation
CraftAeschynanthus radicosus 'Ruby' is popular among plant collectors for its striking appearance and rewarding propagation from stem cuttings, making it ideal for plant swaps and gift-giving. [source]
Edible flowers (decorative garnish)
CulinaryThe bright red flowers are technically edible and can garnish cocktails or desserts for visual appeal, though they have little nutritional value. [source]
Traditional herbal use
MedicinalIn some Southeast Asian traditional medicine systems, Aeschynanthus species are used in folk remedies, though scientific validation remains limited. [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 plant is ornamental and not harvested. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Trim back leggy stems after flowering to maintain shape and promote bushier growth. Can take cuttings in spring for propagation; root in water or moist sphagnum moss.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The common name 'Lipstick Plant' comes from the flowers' resemblance to lipstick tubes—the dark burgundy calyx looks like a lipstick case, and the bright red flower emerges like freshly applied lipstick.
- 🌱 Aeschynanthus is an epiphytic plant in nature, meaning it grows on tree branches in tropical rainforests rather than in soil, which explains its preference for well-draining, bark-based media.
- 🌱 The 'Ruby' cultivar is a specially selected variety bred for its particularly vibrant deep red flowers and improved blooming frequency compared to the species.
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