Care guide
Lipstick Plant
Aeschynanthus spp.
Glossy trailing stems tipped with buds that emerge like lipstick from its tube — a hanging plant that actually flowers indoors, generously.
At a glance
tap for detail ↓Just arrived?
Welcome home! A little settling-in is completely normal — here’s what to know in week one.
- A dropped leaf or a little droop in the first week is just travel shock — give it a calm, bright spot and time.
- Don’t repot for at least 4 weeks. It ships happy in its nursery pot — just sit that inside your decorative cover.
- Check the plant-specific watering guidance below before giving it a drink — different plants prefer very different levels of dryness.
Light
Bright, indirect light brings the flowers — near an east or west window is ideal. Too dark and you’ll get trailing greenery but no lipstick; harsh sun scorches the glossy leaves.
Watering
Check weekly and water when the top few centimetres have dried. It’s an epiphyte with fine roots — it wants regular small drinks that drain freely, never a waterlogged pot.
Humidity & temperature
Warmth and a little humidity keep it blooming — 18°C upwards, away from cold windows in winter. A bright bathroom is a happy home.
Feeding
Half-strength balanced feed monthly from April to September fuels repeat flowering.
Repotting & size
Repot only every two to three years — snug roots encourage blooms — into an airy peat-free mix with added bark. Trim stems lightly after each flowering flush to keep it full; it blooms on newer growth.
Something wrong?
Most problems are fixable — find the symptom below.
No flowers
Cause
Too little light, or too cold.
Fix
Brighter, warmer, plus a modest feed through the season — buds usually follow within weeks.
Buds dropping before opening
Cause
A sudden change — cold draught, a move, or drought at the wrong moment.
Fix
Keep conditions steady while budding and check the soil a little more often.
Leaves dropping
Cause
Cold or overwatering.
Fix
Warm, stable spot; let the top of the compost dry before each watering.
Bare stems at the base
Cause
Natural with age.
Fix
Prune stems back by a third after flowering — it regrows dense from the base.
Sticky or sooty leaves
Cause
Aphids or scale sneaking in on the soft new growth.
Fix
Wipe the leaves and treat with a mild soap spray weekly until clear.
Crispy leaf edges
Cause
Dry air combined with underwatering.
Fix
A more humid position and steadier watering routine.
Meet the plant
About Lipstick Plant
Common names include: lipstick plant, lipstick vine, basket vine.
- The buds really do emerge like lipstick winding out of its tube — deep red from a darker sheath.
- It’s a rainforest epiphyte, growing from tree branches — which is why it trails so beautifully from a shelf or hanger.
- Aeschynanthus 'Rasta' and 'Mona Lisa' are popular cultivars: Rasta with twisted curling leaves, Mona Lisa with generous red blooms.
Shop this plant
Seasonal care tips, four times a year
What to change as the light changes — no spam, ever.
