The lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) is a trailing gesneriad, a relative of African violets, with glossy leaves and clusters of red tubular flowers that push out of dark “lipstick tube” calyces. It grows on trees in the forests of Southeast Asia, so it likes bright filtered light, warmth, humidity and a loose mix that drains fast. Lipstick plant care is not complicated; the most common complaints are no flowers and dropping leaves or buds. This guide follows NC State, the RHS and the ASPCA.
Lipstick Plant Care at a Glance
| Need | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright indirect light, not full sun (NC State); bright, filtered light for best growth and flowering (RHS) |
| Water | Water often but keep the mix well drained (NC State); water freely, sparingly in winter (RHS) |
| Temperature | About 65 to 70°F in the growing season; cooler and drier in winter; leaf drop below 50°F (NC State); under glass above 15°C (RHS H1A) |
| Humidity | High, with good air circulation (NC State) |
| Compost | Peat-free houseplant compost (RHS); high organic matter, well-drained (NC State) |
| Feeding | Half-strength liquid feed monthly, mid-spring to late summer (RHS); dilute orchid-type fertilizer (NC State) |
| Flowering | Spring to autumn, intermittently (RHS, NC State) |
| Pets | Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses (ASPCA) |
Sources: NC State Extension; RHS (Aeschynanthus radicans); ASPCA.
NC State lists its native range as Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. It is a natural for hanging baskets, where the stems can trail.
Lipstick Plant Light Requirements
The RHS recommends bright, filtered light for the best growth and flowering, and NC State says bright indirect light, but not full sun. An east or west window, or a spot set back from a south window behind a sheer curtain, works well. Too little light is the most common reason for few or no flowers; see our grow light guide if your room is dim.
Watering
NC State says to water often but keep the potting mix well drained, and the RHS says to water freely while growing and sparingly in winter. In practice, water thoroughly when the top of the mix starts to dry, let the pot drain, and never leave a hanging basket dripping into a full saucer. Use water at room temperature. NC State also advises keeping the leaves dry and off the potting mix to help prevent fungal problems.
Soil, Pots and Feeding
The RHS recommends a peat-free houseplant compost, and NC State lists a well-drained mix high in organic matter that tolerates occasional wetness. As an epiphyte, it likes an airy mix: a houseplant mix with added bark or perlite drains well. Use a pot or basket with drainage holes.
For feeding, the RHS suggests a half-strength general liquid feed monthly from mid-spring to late summer, and NC State says a dilute orchid-type fertilizer during the growing season encourages blooming. Don’t feed in winter.
How to Make a Lipstick Plant Bloom
- Bright, filtered light. The RHS links bright, filtered light to the best flowering.
- Feed during the growing season. NC State says a dilute orchid-type fertilizer encourages blooming; the RHS suggests half-strength feed monthly from mid-spring to late summer.
- Give it a winter rest. NC State says it can be kept a bit cooler and drier in winter, and the RHS says to water sparingly in winter. Keep it above about 15°C (59°F), and well above 50°F, below which NC State says leaves drop.
- Trim after flowering to encourage fresh stems (see pruning below).
The RHS says lipstick plants flower intermittently from spring to autumn, so a healthy plant in good light often blooms several times a year.
Why Is My Lipstick Plant Not Flowering?
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Not enough light | Move to bright, filtered light (RHS) |
| No feeding in the growing season | Dilute orchid-type or half-strength feed, spring to late summer (NC State, RHS) |
| No winter rest | Keep it a little cooler and drier in winter (NC State) |
| Long, straggly stems | Trim after flowering to encourage new growth |
| Cold drafts or temperatures below 50°F | Move somewhere warmer (NC State) |
Sources: NC State Extension; RHS.
Other houseplants that need a nudge to flower include the Christmas cactus and the hoya.
Buds and Leaves Falling Off
NC State says leaf drop occurs below 50°F, and lipstick plants, like most flowering houseplants, react to cold drafts, sudden moves and uneven watering by dropping buds and leaves. Keep the plant in one warm, bright spot while it is in bud, water evenly, and keep it away from doors, cold windows and heating vents. NC State also lists Botrytis blight and leaf spot, which are more likely in stagnant, humid air, so make sure the plant has some air movement.
Check for pests too: NC State lists aphids, mealybugs and mites, and the RHS aphids and mealybugs. See our aphids guide and mealybug guide.
Pruning
The RHS says to trim back weak or overly long shoots as necessary. Trimming long, bare stems after a flush of flowers encourages new branching from lower down, which gives a fuller plant and more stems to flower on. Use clean scissors and cut just above a leaf pair.
Lipstick Plant Propagation
NC State describes taking a soft stem cutting with three nodes, keeping the top two to four leaves, dipping the cut end in rooting hormone and potting it in equal parts vermiculite and perlite; roots should appear in about two weeks. The RHS lists softwood cuttings in spring and semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Trimmings from pruning make good cuttings, and several rooted cuttings planted in one basket fill it out faster. See our sphagnum moss propagation guide for another option.
Is the Lipstick Plant Toxic to Cats?
No. The ASPCA lists the lipstick plant as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. A pet that chews a lot of any plant may still get a mild stomach upset. See our cat-safe plants list.
For more trailing and hanging plants, see our guides to string of pearls. It is also on our list of plants safe for dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are lipstick plant light requirements?
Bright, filtered or indirect light, never full sun (RHS, NC State). An east or west window or a shaded south window works well.
How do I get my lipstick plant to bloom?
Give it bright, filtered light, feed it during the growing season (NC State suggests a dilute orchid-type fertilizer), and let it rest a little cooler and drier in winter. Trim long stems after flowering.
Why is my lipstick plant dropping leaves?
NC State says leaf drop occurs below 50°F. Cold drafts, uneven watering and moving the plant are other common triggers.
How do you do lipstick plant propagation?
Take a soft stem cutting with three nodes, keep the top few leaves, and root it in equal parts vermiculite and perlite; NC State says roots appear in about two weeks.
Is the lipstick plant toxic to cats?
No. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
How often should I water a lipstick plant?
Water freely while it is growing and sparingly in winter (RHS), keeping the mix well drained (NC State).