Lipstick Plant / Basket Vine
Aeschynanthus radicans
description
Lipstick Plant is a cascading tropical epiphyte with tubular red flowers emerging from dark buds.
benefits
- Pet-friendly, non-toxic to animals
- Flowering
- Suitable for containers
How to care for Lipstick Plant
sunlight
In tropical forests, Lipstick Plant trails from branches beneath a bright canopy. Give it the same bright, filtered light indoors to encourage healthy growth and flowering.
Bright indirect light
Place it near an east or north window, or a few feet back from a brighter south or west window behind a sheer curtain. A little gentle morning sun is usually fine, but strong afternoon sun can scorch leaves and fade flowers.
watering
Keep the mix lightly moist in active growth, but never leave this epiphytic plant sitting in water. Let the upper layer dry before watering thoroughly and empty the saucer.
Spring and summer
Water about every 5-8 days in bright, warm conditions. Check first: the top 1-2 inches of mix should feel dry and the pot should be lighter, while deeper soil remains slightly moist.
Autumn and winter
In lower light or cooler rooms, water roughly every 10-14 days. Wait until more of the mix has dried, but do not let the root ball stay bone-dry for long.
Watering speed changes with light, temperature, humidity, pot size and material, mix, and how actively the roots are growing. A chunky, fast-draining mix may dry sooner than a dense one.
humidity
Preferred humidity
As a tropical epiphyte, Lipstick Plant appreciates humid air. It usually manages at around 40% humidity in a bright, stable room, but grows and flowers best with moderately higher humidity.
Dry air can cause brown, crisp leaf tips or edges, curling leaves, and flower buds that dry up or drop. Keep it away from radiators, heating vents, and air conditioning.
- Run a humidifier during dry heating months, aiming for at least 50%.
- Group plants together or place it in a naturally humid room with bright indirect light.
- Maintain airflow and avoid keeping foliage constantly wet.
temperature
Preferred range
Winter minimum
This tropical epiphyte prefers steady indoor warmth. Keep it away from chilly windows and air-conditioning, especially in winter, as cool conditions can slow growth and trigger leaf drop.
nutrition
March - August
Feed about every 4 weeks while it is making new growth with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength. Stop feeding in autumn and winter unless it is still actively growing in warm, bright conditions.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen supports the glossy leaves and trailing stems. A balanced fertilizer supplies enough without pushing weak, overly soft growth.
Potassium
Potassium supports sturdy growth and flowering. Use a general flowering houseplant fertilizer if preferred, but avoid high-strength bloom boosters.
soil
Airy, moisture-retentive soil
As an epiphyte, Lipstick Plant needs roots that get both air and even moisture. Use a loose indoor potting mix amended with orchid bark or coco chips and perlite, so excess water drains freely without the mix drying out immediately.
pH 5,5 - 6,5
This is slightly acidic, which suits most peat- or coco-based houseplant mixes. Choose a fresh, well-draining mix rather than trying to adjust pH at home.