Lipstick Plant: How To Grow And Care For This Lovely Flowering Plant

When given proper care, a Lipstick plant rewards its master with blooms that are unique in each stage of its development. Its flowers, hanging off its stems are bright red and tubular.

The blooms are a constant feat of the plant all year long. The name of the plant was derived from the way its flowers look—open tubes resembling a lipstick.

Aeschynanthus, the genus where lipstick plant belongs to, is also known as the Basket vine because of its trailing stems which are best suited for hanging baskets.

Native to the damp forest of Asia, the Aeschynanthus has more than 170 species. Many of them are epiphytic—growing from branches of trees.

Its genus has varying appearance.

• It can be planted as indoor plants in hanging baskets or trailing a structure or tree.

• A Famous specie of the plant, Aeschynanthus lobbianus has sleek leaves and hard surfaces. Its flower, red in color emerges from the tube-like calyx, which are dark red.

• The Aeschynanthus radicans species have leathery foliage and its flowers are scarlet with yellow throats.

Variants such as Aeschynanthus speciosus are huge, while Aeschynanthus micranthus are smaller and trailing kind. The Aeschynanthus hildebrandii has softer leaves and bright orange flowers.

Humidity Needs:

The plant is relatives with African violets and Cape primrose. They all need higher humidity levels. To care for its humidity level, misting the plant will prove helpful.

• One indication that it is not given the right humidity is when flower turn black or the leaves turn brown.

When provided with bright and indirect sunlight, the plants grow best. If cultivated as indoor plant, it should not be exposed to direct sunlight as it could burn the leaves.

Water Needs:

For its water requirements, the plant should be moist at all times. But it should not be soggy.

• If the leaves start falling off from their stems, it is a sign that the plant is not given the right amount of water.

In winter though, the water requirement is lower than in summer. In summer, the leaves should be moistened as well.

Fertilizer Needs:

To enhance the flowering capacity of the plant, feeding it with fertilizer will prove effective.

• Apply nitrogen-free fertilizer at half the recommended strength every other week in spring and summer seasons.

During fall and winter, fertilizer should be reduced for the plant to get a resting period. Trimming the plants after every flowering season will ensure next batch of blooms.

Climate Needs

• The temperature requirement of a lipstick plant is 75 degrees in daytime and between 65 and 70 degrees at night.

If the plant is potted, the soil must be loose and well-drained.

Also, it should be high in potassium for healthy and strong root growth.

Growing a lipstick plant is very rewarding. It can grace the garden or the indoor atmosphere with its phenomenal blooms. Its blooms can also lure butterflies to frequent their visits in the garden.

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