Lipstick Plant Care: Keep This Bold Bloomer Happy Year-Round

The Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) is a showstopper among indoor tropicals. With glossy green leaves and vibrant red tubular flowers that emerge from dark buds — resembling tubes of lipstick — this trailing plant brings personality and drama to hanging baskets, high shelves, or window ledges.

Native to Southeast Asia, it thrives in humid rainforests, clinging to trees and rocks as an epiphyte. Indoors, it rewards attentive care with bold color, glossy foliage, and blooms that can appear multiple times a year.

This guide covers everything you need to keep your Lipstick Plant thriving — from light and watering to long-term maintenance and common issues.

What Kind of Plant Is Lipstick Plant?

Lipstick Plant is an epiphytic tropical vine, meaning it naturally grows on trees without taking nutrients from them.

Its cascading vines and bright blooms make it an ideal houseplant for decorative arrangements.

It belongs to the Gesneriad family, related to African violets, and grows best in a semi-humid environment with plenty of indirect light.

🛒 Great for hanging pots — a decorative macrame hanger or ceramic wall planter really shows off its trailing vines. You can find beautiful ready-to-hang options online.

How Much Light Does Lipstick Plant Need?

Getting the light right is key to healthy foliage and frequent blooming.

Indoors:
Bright, indirect light is ideal. Place near an east- or west-facing window, where the plant receives morning or late afternoon sun.

Outdoors (warm climates only):
Filtered light or partial shade — direct sun can scorch the leaves.

Avoid low-light corners or direct, harsh sun. Without enough light, the plant may become leggy and stop blooming.

How Often Should You Water?

Lipstick Plants prefer a steady rhythm of moisture, but they hate being soggy.

Getting the balance right is essential to prevent both wilting and root rot.

Here’s a good watering rhythm:

• Water when the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch

• In warm months: every 7–10 days

• In cooler months: every 2–3 weeks

When watering, thoroughly soak the soil until water runs from the bottom, then allow it to drain completely.

Always empty saucers to avoid standing water.

Tip: Use room-temperature filtered or rainwater if possible — hard tap water can cause leaf spotting.

What Soil Is Best for Lipstick Plant?

Lipstick Plants prefer a light, well-draining mix that mimics their natural epiphytic environment.

Here’s a recommended blend:

• 50% indoor potting soil or African violet mix

• 25% orchid bark or coco chips

• 25% perlite or pumice for drainage

This combination retains moisture while offering excellent airflow around the roots — a must for tropical vines.

Ideal Temperature and Humidity

Being tropical, Lipstick Plants enjoy warm, humid conditions year-round.

Temperature:

• Ideal: 65–80°F (18–27°C)

• Minimum: Don’t expose to temps below 55°F (13°C)

Humidity:

• Preferably 50–60% or higher

• Will tolerate standard indoor humidity but thrive near humidifiers or in bathrooms

🛒 Consider a small desktop humidifier or humidity tray — both can improve health and encourage more blooms.

Fertilizing Tips

Lipstick Plants are moderate feeders and benefit from regular but light fertilization during the growing season.

Use this approach:

• Balanced liquid fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10 like this one or 20-20-20 like this one)

• Dilute to ¼ strength

• Feed once every 4 weeks from spring through early fall

• Skip feeding in winter when growth slows

Avoid overfertilizing — it can cause leggy growth and reduce flowering.

Pruning and Maintenance

Regular pruning helps keep your Lipstick Plant looking full and encourages bushier growth.

Here’s how:

• Trim leggy stems just above a leaf node

• Prune in early spring for shape and fullness

• Remove spent flowers and yellowing leaves

You can propagate healthy cuttings while pruning — it’s a great way to expand your plant collection.

Repotting Tips

Lipstick Plants like being slightly root-bound, but repotting every 2–3 years helps refresh the soil and support healthy blooms.

Follow these repotting guidelines:

• Best done in spring

• Use a pot only 1–2 inches larger than the current one

• Gently loosen roots and remove any rotting or tangled sections

• Let the plant settle for a few days before resuming normal watering

Choose a pot with good drainage and consider a hanging container for best display.

Common Issues and How To Fix Them

Most Lipstick Plant problems are caused by environmental imbalances. Here’s how to recognize and correct them:

• No blooms: Usually due to insufficient light or nutrients

• Yellowing leaves: Often caused by overwatering or poor drainage

• Leaf drop: May result from drafts, low humidity, or inconsistent watering

• Browning leaf tips: Likely from dry air or hard tap water

Adjusting light and humidity levels typically brings the plant back to health quickly.

Is Lipstick Plant Pet Safe?

✅ Yes — the Lipstick Plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
However, keep it out of reach to prevent trailing stems from being tugged or chewed, especially in playful homes.

Does It Flower Indoors?

Yes — when happy, Lipstick Plants can bloom several times per year.

Flowers are tubular and emerge from deep maroon calyxes, resembling actual lipstick tubes.

To encourage blooms:

• Provide bright indirect light

• Use a balanced fertilizer during spring/summer

• Keep humidity high

• Let the plant become slightly root-bound

Blooms typically last 2–3 weeks and appear in clusters along the vine tips.

Final Word

With the right care, the Lipstick Plant becomes a striking indoor companion — full of life, color, and texture.

Its glossy foliage and bright blooms are easy to maintain with just a few consistent habits: bright light, moderate watering, and humidity support.

🧭 Ready to multiply this trailing beauty? The Lipstick Plant Propagation Guide walks you through rooting cuttings and creating new plants with ease.