Lipstick plants are common flowering houseplants that are very unique and beautiful, but they also really easy to grow indoor plants. This detailed guide will show you everything you need to know about how to care for lipstick plants.
If you’re looking for a beautiful and unique houseplant to add to your collection, I highly recommend getting yourself a lipstick plant.
They are gorgeous, with lovely waxy leaves and unique flowers – and they bloom profusely with the right care.
The cascading vines of lipstick plants look beautiful in a hanging basket, or spilling over the top of a pillar or shelf.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn all about this fantastic plant including watering, fertilizer, potting soil, lighting, troubleshooting problems, and much more!
Table of Contents
What Is A Lipstick Plant?
A lipstick plant (aeschynanthus radicans) is an unusual indoor houseplant that you don’t normally see in garden centers.
I’m not sure why they’re not more commonly sold, they easy to care for flowering houseplants. Plus, they are also pet friendly houseplants that are safe for cats and dogs.
The blooms are very unique – as they open, the flower resembles a tube of lipstick – hence the common name of lipstick plant.
Common Lipstick Plant Varieties
There are several different lipstick (aeschynanthus) plant varieties on the market, here are a few of the most common ones you might find…
- Red lipstick plant
- Black pagoda
- Curly leaf
- Mona Lisa
- Rasta (aka “twisted lipstick plant”)
When Do Lipstick Plants Bloom?
The lipstick plant generally blooms during the late summer and early fall, but can bloom throughout the year. Mine continues to bloom on and off all winter, and it’s one of my favorite winter flowering plants.
They will bloom better when they’re root bound, so don’t repot your lipstick plant until it’s absolutely necessary.
Are Lipstick Plants Toxic?
No. Lipstick plants are not toxic to humans or pets making them an ideal indoor houseplant.
Lipstick Plant Care Instructions
Lipstick plants are easy to grow, and they are fun to have in your collection. As long as you follow a few basic requirements, your plant will thrive for years to come.
Proper watering and adequate lighting are the most important things to consider when growing lipstick plants indoors.
Lipstick plant flower looks like a tube of lipstick
Watering A Lipstick Plant
Lipstick plants prefer to have their soil kept on the dry side, but never left totally dry. Ideally the soil should stay lightly moist, but never wet or completely dried out.
Lipstick plants are tolerant of the soil drying a bit out between waterings, but are not tolerant of being overwatered.
However, if left dried out for too long, the leaves will start to turn brown and drop off. Be certain to always check the soil before you water your lipstick plant to avoid overwatering.
If you struggle with properly watering your houseplants, I highly recommend you get an inexpensive soil moisture gauge to help you out.
Lipstick plants also like high humidity, so a bright bathroom or kitchen would make a great home.
Otherwise, you can mist your plant regularly as part of your lipstick plant care routine, run a humidifier near it, or even grow it inside of a mini indoor greenhouse if the air in your home is extremely dry.
Light Requirements
The lipstick plant prefers bright, indirect sunlight, and will bloom its best when given plenty of light. Mine thrives near a south facing window in my living room, where it gets filtered sunlight all year long.
When they don’t get enough sunlight, lipstick plants won’t bloom. If you don’t have a room in your home that gets indirect, bright light, then you can add a grow light to supplement.
If you put your lipstick plant outdoors during the summer, be sure to keep it out of the direct sun. Direct sunlight is too intense for lipstick plants, and it can burn their foliage.
Red lipstick plant (aeschynanthus radicans)
Best Potting Soil
Lipstick plants don’t require any special soil, and will usually grow just fine in general potting soil.
But if you tend to over water your houseplants, then I would recommend amending your potting soil with perlite or pumice to add extra drainage.
Otherwise, it’s best to use a fast draining potting soil, like succulent potting soil (you can also make your own potting mix using my succulent soil recipe). African violet potting soil also would work great for growing lipstick plants.
Also, be sure to grow your lipstick plants in a pot that has drainage holes in the bottom to prevent overwatering, or use an African violet pot.
Fertilizer For Lipstick Plants
To get the best blooms, lipstick plants should be fertilized in the spring through summer as part of your regular lipstick plant care routine.
I recommend using organic plant fertilizer rather than chemical ones because they work better, and there’s less of a chance of burning sensitive plants.
A general purpose liquid fertilizer for indoor plants, or compost fertilizer would work great for blooming lipstick plants.
You could also use a time release houseplant fertilizer granules for tropical flowering plants. African violet fertilizer would also work great on lipstick plants.
Lipstick plant blooms just starting to open
Common Lipstick Plant Pests
Healthy lipstick plants don’t usually have problems with houseplant pests, but aphids, spider mites and mealybugs can become a problem. If you find bugs on your lipstick plant, be sure to treat the plant immediately.
To fight these yucky houseplant bugs, I recommend using natural, organic pest control methods rather than toxic chemical pesticides.
Organic pest control products work better to get rid of houseplant pests, and they are also safer for us and our pets too!
I would recommend using neem oil, which is a natural pesticide that works great for getting rid of plant pests.
Organic insecticidal soap also works great for killing these types of houseplant pests, or you can make your own by mixing 1 tsp mild liquid soap per 1 liter of water.
Hot pepper wax repellent or horticultural oil also work to help control bugs on lipstick plants.
How To Prune Lipstick Plant
Lots of people ask me “how do I prune a lipstick plant?”. The good news is that you don’t have to worry too much about them.
Pruning lipstick plants will encourage the plant to grow fuller, rather than longer vines, but it’s usually not a necessary part of lipstick plant care.
If your plant is looking untidy, or not very full, then you can prune off the vines to the desired length. The best time to prune a lipstick plant is right after it’s done blooming, or any time in the early spring through summer.
Be sure to use a sharp pair of precision pruners, or use bonsai shears to prune the delicate lipstick vines.
Lipstick hanging plant
Aeschynanthus Lipstick Plant Propagation
As for how to propagate lipstick plants, well I have some great news for you. Propagating lipstick plants is actually really easy by taking cuttings and rooting them, and it’s fun too!
Lipstick plant cuttings can easily be rooted using a propagation chamber (or you can make your own DIY propagation box). Be sure to dip the cuttings in rooting hormone before rooting them, this will help to speed things up.
Troubleshooting Lipstick Plant Problems
- Lipstick Plant Dropping Leaves – The most common cause of your lipstick plant leaves falling off is improper watering. Check the soil by sticking your finger one inch down and if it’s dry then water it. If the soil is wet, then allow it to dry out a bit before watering it again. I recommend getting a soil moisture gauge to help you with watering. Refer to the watering section above for more details.
- Flowers or buds dropping off – Bud or flower drop is also usually caused by improper watering, either too much or too little. It can also be caused by sudden change of temperature, or change of environment (like if you recently moved the plant to a new location).
- Leaves turning yellow on lipstick plant – If the leaves on your lipstick plant are turning yellow, that means it either needs more water, more light or maybe both. Check the soil to see how dry it is before watering it, and if it’s wet then don’t water. If your plant is in a low light location, move it closer to a sunny window or add a grow light to give it more light. See the lighting and watering sections above for more details.
- Lipstick plant won’t bloom – If your lipstick plant won’t bloom, then it’s not getting enough light or needs to be fertilized. Move the plant to a brighter spot, or add a grow light. If you’ve never fertilized your plant, then try giving it a weak dose of liquid fertilizer to give it a boost. See both the lighting and fertilizing sections above for more information.
Where To Buy Lipstick Plant
It can be difficult to find a lipstick vine plant for sale at a local garden center, but fall or winter would be the best time to look.
Of course, you can always find a variety of lipstick plants for sale online, and order a few of your favorites!
Lipstick plants are fun indoor flowering plants that are also pretty easy to grow! Add a few different varieties to your collection for constant blooms throughout the year! In order to be successful with lipstick plant care, be sure to give it the right amount of light, water and fertilizer.
If you struggle with indoor plant care during the winter months, then my Winter Houseplant Care eBook is for you! It has detailed information that will show you exactly how to care for your houseplants during the most difficult time of the year. Stop killing your houseplants, and keep them thriving all year round! Download your copy today!
More Plant Care Guides
- How To Care For An Orchid Plant
- How To Care For An Amaryllis
- How To Care For A Peace Lily Plant
- Cyclamen Plant Care Guide: How To Take Care Of A Cyclamen Plant
- How To Care For String Of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
Do you grow lipstick plants? Share you lipstick plant care tips in the comments section below.
Shay Vhal says
My daughter’s lipstick plants stem are turning brown and then the green leaves are falling off. What is wrong with it.
Amy Andrychowicz says
When the leaves drop off a lipstick plant, it’s almost always due to improper watering. They like the soil to dry slightly between waterings (but never be bone dry) in the winter, and then be consistently moist (be never wet or soggy) in the summer. So the first thing to do is check the soil by sticking your finger at least an inch down. If it feels wet then let it dry more, if it’s dry then give it a drink, and water a bit more often. They also like a lot of humidity, so make sure it’s in a humid location, or you can try misting it regularly.
Cynthia Shewchuk says
Hello, hope you can figure this one out !
My lipstick plant has been dropping some green leaves. Although it flowers profusely which is refreshing in the winter, I notice that some of the green leaves are wrinkled even though the soil is moist. Any idea what is the reason ? I’m stumped ! I have had the plant in the same location for about 2 yrs. But bcuz some leaves have dropped, it is getting some spindley areas on the plant.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Wrinkly or dropping leaves on a lipstick plant are both signs of improper watering (either too much or too little). If the soil is moist, then I recommend allowing it to dry out more between waterings. They don’t need as much water during the winter as they do in the summer. Also, check the base to make sure there’s no sign of rot. In extreme cases, they can slowly die from the base up after being overwatered for a period of time.
Sarah B says
Just curious at the growth rate of these plants! I just got a Black Pagoda and am hanging it over my kitchen sink in the window, but might have to move it if it starts to grow too fast.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Lipstick plants can grow fairly fast in the perfect conditions. But indoors, they are usually slower. If the vines get too long for the spot you have it, you can always trim the back to keep them the size you want rather than moving it. Enjoy!
georgie says
My lipstick plant keeps getting dark leaves. It came by mail 3 weeks ago Im giving it light humidity and moisture meter says moist Im at loss I dont know how to get it to perk up. There is no bug mold its just not happy and I do not know what to do.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Dark leaves can mean a few things. If they are turning more of a black color than brown, then it’s likely due to overwatering. Lipstick plants don’t need as much water during the winter as they do in the summer. So it’s better to let the soil dry slightly between waterings, rather than keeping it moist at all times. However, black leaves on a lipstick plant could also be caused by exposure to freezing temps. So, if you live somewhere cold, then check to make sure it’s not touching the window, or getting blasted with cold air near an exterior door. On the other hand, dry brown leaves could be caused by chemicals in the water (softener salt, chlorine, etc), or over fertilizing. Use filtered or distilled water, switch to an organic fertilizer (rather than a synthetic one), and don’t feed them during the winter. Good luck!
MEM says
i too am in zone 4, the UP of Michigan, and my Hummingbirds love the lipstick plants…
This year I am bringing them indoors, I divided the plant into 2 and gave it fresh dirt and new pots
before I brought them in. I have 1 room with East exposure that is available for the newly divided plants, and hope that works
When I bought my plants they were the only 2 left at the store and I had to fight a lady for them so I want to make sure I have a couple with Spring coming up..
If I have any questions, for sure I will come back here to read this article again and again…
Thank you so much, wish this plant was easier to come by in the garden centers
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome! I never understood why it’s so hard to find lipstick plants at the garden centers either. It’s such a lovely, low maintenance plant. Everybody should have one! Enjoy yours indoors this winter, hope they will all thrive for you! 🙂
HRose says
I cut back my lipstick plant to much. There is new growth from the center of the plant. On the other side of the plant there is no growth and no stems. Will the plant regenerate itself. It does have many roots left in the soil. I received this and it was probably in shock and then I caused even more of a problem. Thanks for any advise you can send me.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Oh no, sorry you’re having trouble with your lipstick plants. As long as it still has some healthy stems, then it should grow back. It may take some time to recover, so be patient.
Majed Suhrab says
Thanks for very informative information presented. Frankly speaking after I went through your article I felt I were an expert in lipstick plant care.
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome! So glad you found the article helpful, and now you’re a lipstick plant expert. 🙂
Annabel says
My plant has a lot of red blooms right now but i am noticing a lot are falling off, about 1-2 a day. When they fall they dont appear dead blooms, like it is shedding fresh blooms. Is this normal?
Amy Andrychowicz says
If it’s only losing one or two flowers, then it may not be a big concern. However, if your lipstick plant is dropping buds or healthy flowers daily, then that’s not normal. Bud or flower drop is usually caused by improper watering, either too much or too little. It can also be caused by sudden change of temperature, or change of environment (like if you recently moved the plant to a new location).
Erin Douglas says
I have a cutting that I got from my uncle a few years ago. It rooted well, but all I get is one long spindly branch. so I pruned it hoping that it would produce more foliage or “arms.” If I do get an extra branch it doesn’t grow and the all the energy goes into one shoot! What the heck am I doing wrong. I’m about to toss it and look for a new plant but I also have some sentimental attachment to it since my uncle has passed.
Amy Andrychowicz says
It sounds to me like your lipstick plant may not be getting enough light, and that’s why the branch is spindly. Make sure it’s in a spot where it gets bright, indirect sunlight. They don’t like direct sun, but won’t grow well in low light either. Also, check to make sure you’re watering it correctly. They prefer to be kept slightly on the dry side, and don’t like to be overwatered. So, stick your finger once inch into the soil. If it’s really dry, then you should give it a bit more water. If it’s wet, then you’re overwatering it. Hope this helps!