Lipstick Plant is a trailing plant grown for its flowers: waxy, tubular blooms in bright red that emerge from dark buds like lipstick from a tube — which is exactly where the name comes from. When it is in flower, with the red blooms hanging among glossy green leaves, it is one of the most striking hanging plants you can own. It is also a plant that needs good light to flower at all. In a dim spot it grows leaves and nothing else, and many owners never see a flower. Give it bright light, steady water and a little patience, and it flowers in flushes through the year. This guide covers exactly what it needs: light, watering, humidity, temperature, soil, repotting, feeding, propagation and the common problems that show up when something is off.
Lipstick Plant at a glance
| Care factor | What this plant needs |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Aeschynanthus radicans |
| Light | bright indirect |
| Water | every 1–2 weeks; let top soil dry |
| Humidity | moderate |
| Temperature | 65–80°F (18–27°C) |
| Repotting | every 2–3 years |
| Pet safety | non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Light
Give your Lipstick Plant bright indirect light. Light is what makes it flower — in too little light the plant grows leaves but no blooms, and the stems stretch and go sparse. A spot near a bright east- or west-facing window is ideal, or a metre or so back from a bright south-facing window. Our grow-light calculator can help work out whether your spot is bright enough.
A little gentle direct sun — early morning or late afternoon — usually suits lipstick plant and helps it flower, but harsh midday sun through glass can scorch the leaves, leaving pale, bleached patches that do not heal. Use a sheer curtain on a south-facing window, and rotate the hanging basket a quarter turn every couple of weeks so it grows evenly instead of leaning towards the light.
Watering
Water every 1–2 weeks; let top soil dry. Lipstick plant likes its soil to dry out at the top between waterings, but it does not want to dry out completely — the glossy leaves go limp and the flower buds drop when it is thirsty. Water thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes, then empty the saucer so the plant never sits in standing water. Our watering calculator gives a starting point for your pot size, and the watering schedule generator can help you build a routine around it.
In winter, when growth slows, ease off slightly and let the soil dry a little more between waterings. Push a finger into the mix before you water, since the surface of a hanging basket can look dry while the middle is still damp. Avoid getting water on the flowers themselves, which can mark them.
Humidity and temperature
Lipstick Plant needs moderate humidity and temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C). Ordinary indoor humidity suits it, though the leaf edges will crisp a little in very dry, heated air in winter — grouping plants together or using a pebble tray under the pot helps. Our humidity and temperature checker can tell you whether your room suits this plant.
Keep it away from cold draughts from doors and windows, and from radiators and air-conditioning vents that blast hot or cold air directly at it. Lipstick plant is a tropical plant that dislikes sudden temperature changes, and a chill can make it drop its flower buds — a steady, warm spot is worth more to it than any amount of fussing.
Soil and potting
Indoors, this plant needs a light, free-draining potting mix. Standard potting soil mixed with perlite or orchid bark works well — the mix should hold some moisture but let excess water drain away quickly, because lipstick plant roots rot fast in a heavy, wet mix. A pot with drainage holes is not optional. Our potting-mix calculator can work out the parts for a homemade mix for your pot size.
A hanging basket suits lipstick plant best, because the stems trail and the flowers hang down where you can see them. Do not let the stems sit in a puddle of water after watering — good drainage matters more for this plant than for most, because wet roots mean dropped buds.
Repotting
Repot every 2–3 years, in spring, or sooner if roots are circling the drainage holes. Lipstick plant is a moderate grower and actually flowers best when it is slightly snug in its pot, so do not rush to repot it. Move up only one pot size, and use fresh, free-draining mix. Our repotting calculator can help you work out the next pot size and how much fresh mix you will need.
Feeding
Feed during the growing season, in spring and summer, with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser at half the strength on the label, roughly once a month while the plant is actively growing. Do not feed in autumn and winter when growth slows. Always follow the directions on the label — more fertiliser is not better, and excess salts build up in the soil and burn the roots, which often shows up as brown leaf edges. Our fertiliser calculator can work out the right dose for your pot size.
Propagation
Lipstick Plant is propagated by stem cuttings, taken in spring or early summer. Take a healthy stem tip about 10 cm long, remove the lower leaves, and place it in water or moist mix. Keep it warm and bright, out of direct sun — roots usually appear within a few weeks, and the cutting can be potted up as soon as the roots are a few centimetres long.
Because it roots fairly easily, lipstick plant is a good plant to propagate when you trim it back after flowering. Pinch the tip of a young cutting once it is established to encourage it to branch, and you will have a fuller plant that flowers sooner than a single trailing stem.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Leaves | overwatering | Let soil dry more between waterings; check drainage. |
| Brown Leaf Tips | low humidity | Raise humidity; keep away from radiators; flush soil if over-fertilised. |
| Slow Growth | too little light or pot-bound | Move to brighter light; repot if pot-bound. |
Yellow Leaves
Likely cause: overwatering. Yellow leaves, especially lower ones, most often mean the soil has stayed wet for too long. Let the top of the soil dry out before watering again, check that the pot drains freely, and remove the yellow leaves. If several leaves yellow at once, check the roots — soft, black roots mean rot, and you should cut the rot away and repot in fresh, dry mix.
Brown Leaf Tips
Likely cause: low humidity. Brown, crispy tips and edges usually mean the air is too dry, particularly in a heated room in winter. Raise the humidity by grouping plants together or using a pebble tray, and keep the plant away from radiators. Brown tips can also come from over-fertilising, so flush the soil with plain water if you have been feeding heavily.
Slow Growth
Likely cause: too little light or pot-bound. Lipstick plant grows slowly in a dim spot, and it will not flower at all without good light. Move it to a brighter spot — but not into harsh direct sun — and check whether the roots have filled the pot. A badly pot-bound plant has no room to grow, so repot into a pot one size larger in spring.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Lipstick Plant?
Water every 1–2 weeks and let the top soil dry first. Water thoroughly until it runs out of the drainage holes, then empty the saucer. In winter, water less often, and always check the soil with a finger before watering.
How much light does Lipstick Plant need?
It needs bright indirect light — and it needs it to flower. In too little light it grows leaves but no blooms; in harsh midday sun the leaves scorch. A little gentle morning sun helps it flower.
Is Lipstick Plant safe for cats and dogs?
According to the data used for this guide, this plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it a good choice for a home with pets.
Why won't my Lipstick Plant flower?
The most common reason is too little light — lipstick plant needs bright indirect light to flower. Move it to a brighter spot, feed it during the growing season, and be patient: a young plant can take a season or two before it flowers well. Bud drop is usually caused by a chill or by letting the soil dry out completely.
How long do the stems on Lipstick Plant get?
A healthy plant can trail 60 cm or more indoors. Trim the longest stems after flowering to encourage branching — the cuttings root fairly easily, so nothing goes to waste.