Lipstick Plant — Aeschynanthus radicans — gets its name from how the bright red tubular flowers emerge from dark maroon calyxes, looking exactly like lipstick coming out of a tube. The plant itself is a trailing tropical epiphyte from Southeast Asian rainforests with glossy thick leaves on long cascading stems. Easier than orchids, more dramatic than pothos, and one of the most reliable blooming trailing houseplants when given enough light.
Quick Care Card
☀️ Light
Bright indirect (some direct OK)
💧 Water
Top inch dry; consistent moisture
💨 Humidity
50%+ (60% ideal)
🌡️ Temp
65–85°F
🪴 Soil
Well-draining epiphytic mix
🐾 Cat/Dog Safe
✅ Safe for cats & dogs
🎯 Difficulty
🟡 Intermediate
📏 Size
12–36 inches trailing
🌎 Zone
10–11 outdoors
🏞️ Origin
Southeast Asia & Pacific Islands
In this guide
About Lipstick Plant
Aeschynanthus is a genus of about 150 species of tropical epiphytic vines native to Southeast Asia, India, China, and the Pacific Islands. They grow on tree branches in rainforest canopies, with thick succulent leaves and trailing/climbing stems that produce dramatic tubular flowers.
The most common houseplant species is A. radicans — the classic red Lipstick Plant. Popular cultivars: ‘Mona Lisa’ (compact form), ‘Twister’ (curly leaves), ‘Curly Q’ (twisted leaves), ‘Black Pagoda’ (purple-tinted leaves), ‘Cassiopeia’ (smaller leaves), ‘Mira’ (variegated). Related species include A. longicaulis (Black Pagoda — dark-veined leaves) and A. speciosus (Orange Lipstick — orange-yellow flowers).
Lipstick Plant is in the same family (Gesneriaceae) as African violets, gloxinias, and streptocarpus. Despite the tropical origin, it’s a relatively easy houseplant when given adequate light and humidity. The dramatic red blooms can appear multiple times per year on healthy mature plants.
Care Guide
Light
Bright indirect light with some direct sun.
- Best: bright indirect light with 1–2 hours morning sun — east window or behind sheer curtains south/west.
- Direct afternoon sun bleaches leaves.
- Low light prevents flowering.
- Bloom requires bright indirect light minimum.
Water
Top inch dry between waterings.
- Water when top inch of soil is dry.
- Every 7–10 days in summer, every 10–14 days in winter.
- Thick succulent leaves store water — drought-tolerant for a tropical.
- Yellow leaves = overwatering. Wrinkled leaves = severely underwatered.
Humidity
Higher is better for blooming.
- Ideal: 50–60%.
- Tolerable: 40–50%.
- Bathrooms or near humidifiers are great spots.
Temperature
Warm tropical temperatures.
- Ideal: 65–85°F.
- Below 55°F damages leaves.
- Avoid AC vents.
Soil
Well-draining epiphytic mix.
- Easy mix: 50% potting soil + 30% perlite + 20% orchid bark.
- Hanging baskets ideal for trailing display.
- Repot every 2–3 years.
Pro tip — slight stress triggers blooming
Lipstick Plant blooms in response to slight stress: being slightly pot-bound, occasional dry-out periods, and bright light. Overly-pampered plants in oversized pots with constant watering produce lush growth but few flowers. To encourage blooming: keep the plant in a moderately-sized pot (don’t repot too eagerly), let soil dry out fully between waterings during summer, provide bright indirect light, and feed with bloom-boost fertilizer monthly during growing season.
Fertilizer
Moderate feeders.
- Bloom-boost fertilizer at half strength every 2–3 weeks during growing season.
- Skip fertilizing October–March.
- Brown leaf tips = salt buildup. Flush soil.
Seasonal Care
🌱 Spring & Summer
- New leaves and stems emerge from growing tips
- Red tube flowers appear multiple times per year on mature plants
- Water every 7–10 days
- Fertilize every 2–3 weeks
❄️ Fall & Winter
- Reduce watering to every 10–14 days
- Stop fertilizing
- Slightly cooler conditions (60–65°F) may help next bloom
Common Problems & Fixes
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No flowering | Insufficient light or too much fertilizer | Move to brighter spot; slight stress (dry-out) helps |
| Wilted leaves | Underwatered (despite thick leaves) | Water thoroughly; recovers in days |
| Yellow leaves | Overwatering or natural shedding | Reduce watering |
| Buds dropping before opening | Sudden environmental change | Stabilize location; avoid moving during bud development |
| Leggy growth | Insufficient light | Move to brighter window; pinch growing tips |
| Bleached patches | Direct sun scorch | Move from direct afternoon sun |
| Mealybugs | Common pest | Wipe with alcohol; insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Low humidity | Rinse; raise humidity |
| Stems rotting at base | Overwatering | Cut healthy stems for cuttings |
Lipstick Plant blooms when slightly stressed. Don’t pamper it — moderate pot, occasional dryness, bright light, and you’ll get the famous tube flowers all summer.
Propagation
Stem cuttings (easiest)
Cut 4–6 inch stem section with at least 3 leaves and 1 node.
Strip lower leaves; dip cut end in rooting hormone.
Insert into damp potting mix or stick in water.
Roots form in 3–6 weeks.
Pot up once established.
Featured Lipstick Plant Species
| Species | Common Name | Notable Trait | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeschynanthus radicans | Lipstick Plant | Classic red tubular flowers from dark calyxes | 🟡 Intermediate |
| A. radicans ‘Mona Lisa’ | Mona Lisa Lipstick | Compact form; same red flowers | 🟢 Beginner |
| A. radicans ‘Twister’ | Twister Lipstick | Curly twisted leaves | 🟡 Intermediate |
| A. radicans ‘Black Pagoda’ | Black Pagoda Lipstick | Purple-tinted dark leaves | 🟡 Intermediate |
| A. speciosus | Orange Lipstick Plant | Orange-yellow tubular flowers | 🟡 Intermediate |
| A. longicaulis | Black Pagoda (species) | Dark-veined leaves; species form | 🟡 Intermediate |
Shop Our Lipstick Plant Collection
Every Lipstick Plant we ship is greenhouse-grown, climate-acclimated, and packed with care for transit. Sold-out species? Use the Notify Me button on any product page — we’ll email you the moment it’s restocked.
Curly Lipstick Plant
Starting at $25.99Lipstick Plant ‘Black Pagoda’
Starting at $25.99Lipstick Plant
Starting at $25.99
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Lipstick plants safe for cats and dogs?
Yes — Aeschynanthus radicans is non-toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA listings. Pet-safe trailing option.
Why won’t my Lipstick Plant bloom?
Three usual causes: (1) insufficient light — needs bright indirect with some direct sun; (2) plant too young — first bloom often takes 1–2 years; (3) too much pampering — slight stress (pot-bound, occasional dry-out) triggers blooming. Try a smaller pot, brighter light, and bloom-boost fertilizer.
How do I propagate Lipstick Plant?
Stem cuttings root easily. Cut a 4–6 inch section with 3+ leaves and 1 node, dip cut end in rooting hormone, and insert in damp potting mix or water. Roots form in 3–6 weeks. Pot up multiple cuttings together for a fuller plant.
Why are my Lipstick Plant’s leaves wrinkled?
Underwatered. Despite the thick succulent leaves, Lipstick Plant wilts when soil dries out. Water thoroughly and leaves rehydrate over 1–3 days. If watering doesn’t fix it, check for root rot from previous overwatering.
Can I grow Lipstick Plant outdoors?
In USDA zones 10–11 (frost-free) yes. They’re tropical epiphytes from Southeast Asia. In cold climates, grow indoors or summer outdoors and bring inside before frost.
How often does Lipstick Plant bloom?
Mature plants in good conditions bloom multiple times per year, often in late spring and summer. Each flower cluster lasts 1–2 weeks. Pinching off spent flowers encourages new bloom production. Young plants may only bloom once a year or not at all until 2+ years old.
Related Care Guides
- Hoya Care Guide — another tropical trailing bloomer
- Nematanthus (Goldfish Plant) Care Guide
- Orchid Care Guide
- Peperomia Care Guide
