Extraordinarily striking, the little evergreen succulent Echeveria agavoides ‘Lipstick’ grows in spiky rosettes of fleshy, sharp-pointed, bright green leaves with vivid scarlet edges. Each leaf has a little spine at the tip, similar to an agave (hence the name). This Echeveria readily develops offsets that closely resemble the mother rosette, which adds to its allure. A flowering spike with red blooms and golden tips is visible in the spring and early summer. The crimson margins of this Echeveria become more noticeable the more sun it receives. a fantastic option for pots or sunny areas.
- up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall and 8 to 12 inches wide (20-30 cm).
- easily cultivated in soil that is rocky, well-drained, and receives some sunlight. Provide bright lighting indoors. once established, occasionally needs water in the summer. Every two to three years, in the early spring, divide clumps.
- Ideal for use in rock gardens and other pots for stunning floral combinations.
- virtually free of illness. Watch out for aphids, mealybugs, and vine weevils.
- In the spring or early summer, propagate plants using stem or leaf cuttings. distinct offsets in the spring
A lipstick plant is what sort of plant?
Aeschynanthus Radicans, also referred to as the lipstick plant, is a ubiquitous and eye-catching tropical evergreen houseplant.
Its bright red, tubular flowers, which emerge above a burgundy bud, are whence it derives its name. These flowers have a cascading, vine-like form, and they grow in groups along with the waxy, glossy, green foliage. They are therefore a great option for use in tall pots or hanging baskets.
These plants, an epiphytic species, are indigenous to Southeast Asia’s tropical areas. They can be found here sprouting from rock crevices and tree branches.
You may take advantage of a profusion of flowering for a large portion of the year provided they receive enough warmth, humidity, and filtered sunlight. However, summer and fall are typically the seasons when lipstick plants flower the most profusely.
It’s important to keep in mind that the lipstick plant shouldn’t be chosen if you want to fill your house with a pleasant scent. The aroma from the blossoms isn’t especially nice, despite how weak it is.
Which types of containers do lipstick plants prefer?
Here are some tips to guide you if you decide to try your hand at cultivating lipstick plants for a gardening project:
- For the cascading Aeschynanthus lipstick vine, a hanging basket is a suitable container. The vine can also be grown on wood planks, but if you do, make sure to water the plant properly.
- If you fertilize the plant and give it moderate watering, you may repot this plant from a few cuttings. Make sure it is situated where there is adequate light.
- The best temperature for lipstick plants to bloom at when you’re starting them out from cuttings is 70 F (21 C). The plant can withstand more light in the spring.
A lipstick plant can it be kept outside?
You’re aware of the saying, “Use flowers to express it? The lipstick plant, which is currently blossoming at our house, would say, “I’m here to give your shadowy corners some flair. (Or something comparable. We make an effort not to humanize our flora.)
The lipstick plant is a tropical Southeast Asian native with tubular flowers that bloom in red, yellow, orange, and pink hues, trailed by the plant’s cascades of glossy leaves. This plant is intriguing, slinky, and like a vine. In the jungle, Aeschynanthus radicans and closely similar cultivars can be seen growing between tree branches, taking nutrition from the nearby organic garbage. They are epiphytes, just like our favorite air plants. They can be multiplied through cuttings.
Our lipstick plant, which we think is an Aeschynantus ‘Thai Pink’ but are unsure of, is suspended from a branch of our strawberry guava tree in the upper left. Our fuchsia, jade, ferns, and natal lilies are located beneath it.
Es-kee-NAN-thus is how you pronounce aeschynanthus. Ours was purchased from Jose, a plant vendor whose tent of shade plants is the best-kept secret at Kobey’s Swap Meet. We were drawn to the plant’s shield-shaped leaves and convinced by Jose’s assurance that it would produce eye-catching blossoms in the summer. In a south-facing area of our yard, we suspended it in a basket on a branch of our strawberry guava tree. Although they like bright light and shelter from direct sunlight, these plants thrive in partial shade. (Important.)
Additional optimum conditions include 50 percent humidity, which is easily attained by routine misting, and well-drained, peat moss-based potting soil. Having said that, you can water less in the winter and let the soil dry out in between waterings. Although the lipstick plant makes a magnificent evergreen houseplant, it is only hardy in zones 10–12 and won’t survive temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit if grown outdoors.
Our lipstick plant first began displaying these lovely buds in late July, concealed beneath drab, dome-shaped calyces. And they began operations in August!
Yes, the blooms really indeed resemble lipstick extending out of a tube, true to their name.
The calyces, which are the sepals that shield the flower buds’ petals during the budding stage, were a light powder pink at the beginning. They gradually turned a stunning shade of dark.
Pupil up. The flowers erupt from their calyces above. (Despite how showy they are, the flowers we grow are not fragrant.)
The plant blooms best when it is slightly rootbound, just like the theatrical epiphyllum, which brings to mind another care suggestion we learnt. Additionally, from spring through fall, give it a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks. After they have finished blooming, cut the stems back to six inches to promote fresh growth.
Where should my lipstick plant be placed?
In order to produce beautiful, bright red or yellow blossoms, lipstick plants require lots of light. Place in a well-lit area of the house that is out of direct sunlight. The best circumstances for getting enough sunshine should be found in a room that faces south or west.
Make sure the sun doesn’t beam directly on a lipstick plant if it is located close to a window all day. Frizzled leaves that finally wither can be the result of this.
If there is not enough light, lipstick plants will often become lanky and straggly. Move to a brighter, sunnier place if you discover that your plant doesn’t blossom and the vines seem untidy. Leggy stems can be cut off and used as cuttings to create new plants.
You can hang your lipstick plant outside in the open during the hot summers.
Should my lipstick plant be misted?
They are simple to cultivate and entertaining to have in your collection. Your plant will flourish for many years if you adhere to a few fundamental guidelines.
The most crucial factors to take into account when growing lipstick plants inside are proper watering and sufficient sunlight.
Watering A Lipstick Plant
Lipstick plants prefer a somewhat dry soil, but never completely dry soil. The soil should never become wet or entirely dry; it should only be slightly moist.
Lipstick plants can tolerate some soil evaporation between waterings, but not excessive moisture.
The leaves will begin to turn brown and fall off if they are overly dried out. To prevent overwatering, be sure to carefully inspect the soil before you water your lipstick plant.
I urge you to invest in a cheap soil moisture gauge if you have trouble giving your houseplants the water they need.
Because lipstick plants prefer high humidity, they would do well in a well-lit bathroom or kitchen.
If your home’s air is particularly dry, you might grow your plant inside of a small indoor greenhouse instead of misting it regularly as part of normal lipstick plant maintenance routine.
Light Requirements
The lipstick plant does best in a lot of light and enjoys bright, indirect sunshine for best blooming. Mine flourishes next to a south-facing window in my living room where it receives year-round filtered sunshine.
Lipstick plants won’t bloom if they don’t receive enough sunlight. You can add a grow lamp to your home as a supplement if there isn’t a room that receives indirect, bright light.
During the summer, if you place your lipstick plant outside, make sure to keep it out of the direct sunlight. Lipstick plants cannot tolerate direct sunshine since it burns their leaf.
Best Potting Soil
Lipstick plants may typically be grown in regular potting soil without the need for special soil.
However, if you have a habit of overwatering your houseplants, I suggest adding perlite or pumice to your potting soil to improve drainage.
A quick-draining potting soil, such as succulent potting soil, is preferable in all other cases (you can also make your own potting mix using my succulent soil recipe). Growing lipstick plants in potting soil made for African violets would also be fantastic.
Additionally, to avoid overwatering, make sure your lipstick plants are grown in a container with drainage holes in the bottom, or use an African violet planter.
Fertilizer For Lipstick Plants
As part of your usual lipstick plant care routine, fertilize lipstick plants from spring through summer to obtain the greatest blooms.
Instead of using chemical plant fertilizers, I advise choosing organic ones because they function better and are less likely to burn delicate plants.
Compost fertilizer or a general-purpose liquid fertilizer for indoor plants would be ideal for blossoming lipstick plants.
For tropical blooming plants, you could also use time-release houseplant fertilizer granules. Lipstick plants would benefit greatly from fertilizer made for African violets.
Common Lipstick Plant Pests
Healthy lipstick plants often don’t have insect issues in the house, but aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs might cause issues. Make careful to cure your lipstick plant right away if you discover bugs on it.
Instead of utilizing harmful chemical pesticides, I advise employing natural, organic pest control techniques to get rid of these disgusting houseplant bugs.
Houseplant pests respond better to organic pest control methods, which are also healthier for us and our pets.
Neem oil is a natural insecticide that is excellent at getting rid of plant pests, so I would suggest applying it.
For killing these kinds of houseplant pests, organic insecticidal soap is also quite effective. Alternatively, you may prepare your own by combining 1 tsp. mild liquid soap with 1 liter of water.
Is the lipstick plant uncommon?
Despite the fact that we all adore plants, flowers among our tamed houseplants may offer numerous advantages. One of the numerous advantages that flora offers is the control of pests.
The lipstick plant is a robust creeping vine that has its origins in Malaysia. Red flowers consistently bloom provided optimum management methods are followed. If you desire constant color in your sunroom, you might adore this plant.
Although I would appreciate one in a hanging basket in the area with the houseplants, I have never owned one of these plants. The secret to creating a plant’s version of lipstick is having an adequate N-P-K ratio (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium).
If you decide to purchase this unusual houseplant, keep in mind that for best blooming, the regular soil temperature should be between 70F and 80F.
This plant is a standout among houseplants because of its extravagant red blossoms and hanging basket placement.
Plant Needs
- NPK fertilizer ratio of 3-2-1
- for additional aeration, perlite
- Water when the land is dry (death in this case from damp soil)
- To flower, it requires some direct or moderate sunshine.
- High/medium humidity
- Although plants can also be grown in grounded pots, hanging planters allow for a lot of creeping.
Does the lipstick plant grow indoors?
The attractive flowered lipstick plant is renowned for its glossy leaves and distinctive blossoms. Its name comes from the flower buds that resemble small lipstick tubes that poke out of the dark-colored tubes.
This tropical houseplant is a great option for bringing a pop of color to well-lit kitchens, bathrooms, and dining areas because it puts up a wonderful display in front of a bright window.
Lipstick Plant Concerns Growing houseplants like the lipstick plant is a topic that our indoor plant experts like discussing. Simply send us an email!
Lipstick Plant Growing Instructions
In a light to moderately bright area, grow lipstick plant. The better the lipstick plant blooms, the more light it receives. Try shifting your lipstick plant to a more sunny location if it isn’t blooming.
Water the lipstick plant just enough to keep the soil moist, but not so much that it becomes soggy or saturated. Keep the lipstick plant from wilting, but be careful not to overwater it. This houseplant will develop root rot if it is kept in excessive moisture.
In the spring and summer, fertilize the lipstick plant once a month to encourage it to bear lots of flowers. Use any fertilizer for indoor plants that is all-purpose. Just be certain to adhere to the directions printed on the product’s container.
Add these types to your Lipstick Plant to complete it:
Alsobia A related plant to lipstick plant called alsobia enjoys similar environmental conditions. It features pretty white blossoms.
With a companion planting of variegated ivy, the Ivy Accent lipstick plant produces lovely flowers.
How can I maintain my lipstick plant?
It is simple to understand how Aeschynanthus radicans obtained its popular name, Lipstick Plant, when it was covered in a lavish display of its scarlet blossoms. This easy-to-grow houseplant will adorn indoor areas with its powerful growth and vibrant blossoms for years to come if given the right growing conditions and care. Below, we’ve provided a brief explanation of how to take care of lipstick plants.
You should water your lipstick plant when the top quarter of the soil becomes dry and pot it in fertile, well-draining soil. Set up in bright, indirect light with high humidity and keep the temperature inside between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
When should a lipstick plant be repotted?
Easy-care A hanging basket is the best place for a Lipstick Plant. Its beautiful flowers and richly leafed trailing vines will be displayed if you place it at eye level.
Get to Know Lipstick Plant
These evergreen plants grow as epiphytes on trees in their natural habitat, a rain forest, where their long vines entwine over moss-covered branches. These indoor tropical flowering plants are quite simple to grow if you provide them with the same dappled sunlight and humidity.
The 2-4 in (5-10 cm) long, thick, glossy leaves cover the trailing stems, giving this vine its lush, tropical accent.
The plant’s brightly colored tubular flowers, which resemble lipstick tubes and emerge from a calyx, are what really draw attention. The most common color is red, but some uncommon types have blooms that are dark red, orange, yellow, or coral.
Aeschynanthus Varieties
Several Aeschynanthus species have labels that read “Lipstick Plant” or “Lipstick Vine.” Aeschynanthus radicans is one of the most well-liked plants for indoor cultivation.
‘Variegated’ boasts vibrant red blossoms and creamy white foliage variegation. The showy hybrids “Fireworks,” “Frostfire,” and “Flash” all have flaming red blooms. ‘Mona Lisa’ has clusters of red blooms and is a prolific bloomer.
Caring for Lipstick Plant Year-Round
Repoting, or not. Repotted plants don’t mind at all. Repot in the spring or summer when the roots have filled the pot, but only by 1 to 2 inches. The plant will flower more readily if you keep it in its pot.
Retrim it back. After flowering, cut stems as needed. To stop the plant from growing lanky and to promote branching, you can prune up to one-third of the plant. You’ll receive more blossoms if you plant new stems near the tips, where flowers thrive.
Pruning Tip
After a leaf node, always prune (the place where a leaf is attached to the stem). To prevent disease and jagged tears, use sharp, well-maintained pruning shears.
Intensify the humidity. Use a pebble tray or cool-mist room humidifier to provide moisture to the air if the relative humidity falls below 50%. Regular misting also benefits. Keep in mind that warmer air near the ceiling is exposed to hanging plants, which can cause them to dry out more quickly.
Give it a break this winter. Winter resting this plant in a little cooler, drier environment will encourage greater spring and summer flowers. During this time, discontinue fertilizing and maintain the plant in direct sunlight. The chilly drafts from doors and windows and heat vents should be kept away from it.