Give him a drink when the top two inches of his soil feel dry. He likes his soil lightly moist, but not soggy.
He grows best in conditions where the light is bright but indirect, i.e. not direct sun. He won’t do well in shade.
He’s from the tropics so he loves a moist environment. Mist him every few days, or give him a home in the bathroom.
Botanical name
Aeschynanthus japhrolepsis
Nickname
Lipstick plant
Plant type
Indoor hanging plant
Air purifying
Yes
Plant height
25-35cm
Pet/baby safe
Yes
Nursery pot size
15cm
The lipstick plants, or aeschynanthus, is found in steamy forests across the eastern hemisphere. There are over 150 different species, most of them epiphytes, which means they grow in nooks on trees or rocks, rather than on the ground.
The name lipstick plant is probably confusing on first look. It makes sense when you see it in flower, as you hopefully will if you give your plant the right conditions. The bright red flowers emerge from little tubes, so they look like lipsticks twisting out of their holders.
You should see flowers if you put your plant somewhere that gets a good amount of bright light, but not direct sunlight. Keep its soil lightly moist and give it a regular squirt with a mister. It’s also a good idea to feed it once per month in spring and summer. Follow those instructions and you should see lots of flowers. Even when it’s not in flower, this plant is a beauty, whether it’s a hanging plant or cascading its bright green leaves from a high shelf.
Did you know?
Most lipstick plants are pollinated not by bees but by stunning sunbirds. You don’t get a lot of sunbirds in the wild in Britain, sadly.
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