Aeschynanthus radicans (Lipstick Plant)

Aeschynanthus radicans is a delightful addition to any indoor plant collection, offering visual interest with its unique flowering habit and glossy, verdant foliage. Its easy-going nature makes it suitable for novice gardeners yet still satisfying for more experienced ones seeking to expand their indoor gardens.

Aeschynanthus radicans – Lipstick Plant: An In-depth Look

Aeschynanthus radicans, commonly known as the Lipstick Plant, is a popular houseplant admired for its glossy foliage and vibrant, tubular flowers. It’s particularly prized in ornamental horticulture for its unique blossoms and vining growth. The plant boasts thick, waxy leaves that grow along trailing stems, making it ideal for hanging baskets. It is named for its distinct flowers, which emerge from dark, tube-like structures resembling lipstick tubes.

Native: This species is native to the humid tropical forests of Southeast Asia, including areas in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, where it thrives in the warm, moist understory of the forest canopy. It belongs to the gesneriad family, Gesneriaceae, which includes Achimenes (Hot Water Plant), Streptocarpus (Cape Primrose), and the popular Sainpaulia (African Violet).

Plant Type and Habit: The Lipstick Plant is a spreading, trailing, evergreen perennial and epiphyte, meaning it naturally grows on other plants or trees.

Size: In cultivation, the plant typically grows to about 2-3 feet (60-90 cm)in length, but its vines can extend much longer under ideal conditions, sometimes reaching up to 6 feet (180 cm).

Flowers: The flowers of the Lipstick Plant are its most striking feature. They are bright red, tubular, 2 inches long (5 cm), and emerge from dark maroon calyces resembling lipstick tubes. These blooms are both dramatic and long-lasting. The Lipstick Plant blooms intermittently from spring to fall.

Foliage: The leaves, measuring up to 3 inches (7 cm) long, are smooth, dark green, thick and leathery. They are arranged densely along the trailing stems, adding to the plant’s lush appearance.

Award: Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Hardiness: If grown outdoors, it is best suited for USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11. As a houseplant, it requires temperatures between 65°F (18°C) and 75°F (24°C) and high humidity to thrive.

Uses: The Lipstick Plant is primarily used as an ornamental plant, ideal for hanging baskets and indoor containers where its trailing vines can cascade beautifully.

Toxicity: Aeschynanthus radicans is non-toxic to both humans and pets, making it a safe choice for households with children and animals.

Drought: This plant does not tolerate drought well. Consistent moisture is necessary, but be careful to avoid waterlogging.

Invasiveness: It is not considered invasive. As a tropical plant, it does not survive outside its preferred temperature and humidity ranges, limiting its spread in non-tropical environments.

Benefits: Besides its aesthetic appeal, Aeschynanthus radicans can help improve indoor air quality. Its dense foliage is excellent for filtering indoor air pollutants.

Lipstick Plant: How to Grow and Care

The Lipstick Plant is a charming and colorful addition to any indoor garden, where it thrives with the right care and conditions. Here’s how to successfully grow and care for your Lipstick Plant:

Light: Lipstick Plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight. Direct exposure can scorch the leaves, while too little light may prevent flowering. A spot near an east or west-facing window is ideal.

Soil: Use a well-draining, rich organic potting mix. A mix designed for orchids or succulents can work well, as it allows air to reach the roots.

Water: Water your Lipstick Plant when the top inch of soil feels dry. They like humidity and consistent moisture but be cautious of overwatering which can lead to root rot. Ensure the pot has good drainage to prevent water from sitting at the roots.

Temperature: Lipstick Plants perform best in temperatures between 65°F and 75°F (18°C to 24°C). Avoid sudden temperature drops and cold drafts which can stress the plant.

Humidity: Lipstick Plants thrive in humid environments, which can be achieved by placing a humidity tray under the plant, using a room humidifier, or regularly misting the plant.

Fertilizer: During the growing season (spring and summer), fertilize your Lipstick Plant every two to four weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength. Reduce feeding in the winter months.

Pruning: Prune back leggy stems after flowering to encourage a bushier plant. This not only keeps your plant looking tidy but also promotes more vigorous growth and flowering.

Lipstick Plant: Propagation

Lipstick Plants can be propagated by softwood cuttings in spring or semi-ripe cuttings in summer.

Choose the Right Time: The best time for propagation is during the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing.

Select a Healthy Stem: Choose a healthy, non-flowering stem for propagation. The stem should have at least 2-3 leaf nodes (points on the stem where leaves are or were attached).

Cut the Stem Using a clean, sharp pair of scissors or a knife, cut a section of stem about 4-6 inches long. Make sure your cutting includes at least 2-3 leaf nodes.

Prepare the Cutting: Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting to expose the nodes. This area is where roots will form.

Rooting Hormone (Optional): Though not necessary, applying a rooting hormone to the cut end can enhance rooting success. Dip the end of the cutting into the rooting hormone powder or solution.

Plant the Cutting: Insert the cutting into a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix, such as a mix used for succulents or orchids. You can also use perlite or vermiculite. Ensure that the leaf nodes where you removed the leaves are buried in the soil.

Maintain Humidity and Temperature: Cover the pot with a plastic bag or place it in a mini greenhouse to create a humid environment, which is crucial for rooting. Keep the cutting in indirect light and at a warm temperature, ideally between 65°F and 75°F (18°C to 24°C).

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Use a spray bottle to mist the soil if it begins to dry out, ensuring the environment stays humid.

Check for Roots: After about 3-4 weeks, gently tug on the cutting. Resistance indicates that roots have formed. You can also carefully lift the cutting to check for root growth.

Transplanting: Once the cutting has established a good root system, you can transplant it to a larger pot if necessary and gradually acclimate it to less humid conditions.

Lipstick Plant: Pests and Diseases

The Lipstick Plant can be susceptible to certain pests and diseases, especially when not provided with optimal growing conditions. Here’s how to identify and manage common issues:

Mealybugs: These pests appear as small, white, cottony masses on the stems and undersides of leaves. They suck sap from the plant, weakening it. Remove them by wiping the plant with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or by using insecticidal soap.

Spider Mites: These tiny pests are hard to see but can cause the leaves to appear speckled and faded. They thrive in dry conditions, so increasing humidity around the plant can help prevent infestations. If an infestation occurs, treat the plant with neem oil or an appropriate acaricide.

Aphids: These small, soft-bodied insects cluster on new growth and the undersides of leaves, sucking plant juices. They can be rinsed off with water or treated with insecticidal soap.

Root rot: Overwatering is a common cause of root rot in Lipstick Plants. Symptoms include wilting, yellowing leaves, and a mushy base. Prevent this by ensuring the pot has good drainage and the soil does not remain soggy. Affected plants need to have all decayed roots trimmed off, and be repotted into fresh, sterile potting mix.

Gray Mold or Botrytis: This fungal disease can occur in humid conditions, appearing as gray mold on leaves and stems. Improve air circulation around the plant and reduce humidity levels to manage this issue. Infected parts should be removed and discarded.

Common Problems

The Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) is generally easy to care for but can experience a few common problems, especially if its specific care requirements aren’t met. Here’s how to identify and address these issues:

Leaf Drop: Often a result of too much or too little water, drastic temperature changes, or insufficient light. Ensure consistent watering— allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the plant in a stable environment without extreme temperature fluctuations and provide bright, indirect light.

Leaf Yellowing: Overwatering is the most common cause, but nutrient deficiencies or poor drainage can also lead to yellow leaves. Check the soil moisture level and adjust your watering schedule accordingly. Improve soil drainage by adding perlite or sand, and consider using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every month during the growing season.

Failure to Bloom: Insufficient light is the most common reason for a lack of flowers. Lipstick Plants need bright, indirect sunlight to bloom. Move the plant to a brighter location where it receives ample indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sun exposure which can scorch the leaves.

Leggy Growth: Not enough light, causing the plant to stretch towards the light source. Increase the amount of light the plant receives. If the situation doesn’t improve, consider supplementing with a grow light.

Crispy Leaves: Too low humidity or excessive direct sunlight. Move the plant away from direct sunlight and increase ambient humidity around the plant through misting, a humidity tray, or a room humidifier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do lipstick plants like sun or shade?

Lipstick Plants prefer bright, indirect light. They thrive in environments that mimic the dappled sunlight of their natural jungle habitat. Direct sunlight can scorch their leaves, so a spot with filtered light is ideal.

Do hummingbirds like Lipstick Plant?

In their natural habitat, the bright, tubular flowers of Lipstick Plants do attract hummingbirds. However, indoors or outside their native range, attracting hummingbirds might not be as feasible unless the conditions mimic their natural environment closely.

How to make a lipstick plant fuller?

To encourage a fuller Lipstick Plant, regularly pinch back the tips of the vines after a flowering cycle. This promotes branching, resulting in a bushier appearance. Regular pruning and adequate light also support denser growth.

Do lipstick plants like to be root bound?

Lipstick Plants can tolerate being slightly root-bound, which can even encourage more prolific flowering. However, they should not be left overly constricted for too long, as this can stress the plant and impede its growth. Repotting every few years or when the roots crowd the container is beneficial.

Can I put my lipstick plant outside?

You can put your Lipstick Plant outside during the warmer months if conditions are similar to its native environment (temperatures between 65°F and 75°F or 18°C and 24°C, high humidity, and protected from direct sunlight). However, be cautious of temperature changes and bring it indoors when night temperatures begin to drop below this range.