Lipstick Vine Aeschynanthus radicans
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Lipstick Vine:
Previously known as:
- A.pulcher or A.lobbianus
- Trichosporun radicans (Jack) Nees
- Phonetic Spelling
- es-keh-NAN-thus RAD-ih-kans
- Description
-
Lipstick Plant is a tropical epiphyte that is a popular and striking houseplant with ts bright red tubular flowers. Its name comes from the Greek word auschune, meaning shame, anthos, meaning flower, and radicans meaning having rotting stems.
Place the plant in bright indirect light, where soil temperatures will stay between 65-70 degrees, spring through fall. During the winter, it can be kept a bit cooler and drier. If the temperature falls below 50 degrees, leaf drop will occur. The Lipstick Plant enjoys regular misting, but be aware that this should be done early in the day when the mist will dry quickly to avoid fungus. Water them often, but be sure the potting soil has good drainage.
Using a 3:1:2 slow release liquid fertilizer during the growing season will encourage leaf growth and blooming.
This is an easy plant to propagate and share with friends, by taking a three node soft stem cutting at a 45-degree angle. Remove all but 2-4 leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone, then put the cutting in a container of vermiculite and perlite mix. Roots should appear in two weeks.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insects affecting Lipstick plant include aphids, mealybugs, and mites. Botrytis blight and leaf spot are diseases that can occur. Fungal problems can be avoided by keeping leaves dry and out of contact with potting medium.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Curly'
Leaves curl and twist. - 'Mona Lisa'
Orange-red flowers - 'Rasta'
Densely curled leaves. - 'Tangerine'
Orange-yellow flowers. - 'Variegata'
Cream and green variegated leaves.
- 'Curly'
- 'Curly', 'Mona Lisa', 'Rasta', 'Tangerine', 'Variegata'
- Tags:










- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Curly'
Leaves curl and twist. - 'Mona Lisa'
Orange-red flowers - 'Rasta'
Densely curled leaves. - 'Tangerine'
Orange-yellow flowers. - 'Variegata'
Cream and green variegated leaves.
- 'Curly'
- 'Curly', 'Mona Lisa', 'Rasta', 'Tangerine', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aeschynanthus
- Species:
- radicans
- Family:
- Gesneriaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Peninsula Thailand to W. & Central Malesia
- Wildlife Value:
- In its native habitat, nectar from the tubular red flowers attracts hummingbirds.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant has no significant insect or pest problems.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Epiphyte
- Houseplant
- Vine
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Cascading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- 1.5" long capsule.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- This plant flowers freely with terminal flower clusters. Buds appear first and resemble tubes of lipstick, hence the common name. Tubular scarlet red flowers follow, with yellow throats and 5-lobed petals that are shorter on top than bottom and have leaf like bracts at the base The fragrance of the flower is malodorus (unpleasant)
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are smooth, often thick and leathery, storing water in case of drought.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Smooth/Hairless
- Stem Description:
- Smooth, hairless stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Attracts:
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Insect Pests
- Problems:
- Malodorous