Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanth)

If you have a bright spot in you home or office and want a graceful draping plant that will bloom off and on all year, Lipstick House Plants are a great choice. Although a relative of the somewhat finicky African Violet Plants, Lipstick Plants are very easy indoor flowering houseplants. When given the right amount of light and not too much water, Lipstick Plants produce numerous red or orange small tubular flowers throughout the year. Not only are the flowers of Lipstick HousePlants colorful, the leaves can be light green, dark green, or green and maroon. Hang Lipstick Plants from the ceiling, place them in a wall sconce, or sit one on a table, you will love Having a Lipstick Plant as one of your houseplants.

LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS: Indoor Lipstick HousePlants require very bright indirect light. Direct sun burns the leaves of Lipstick Plants.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS WATER: Lipstick Plants flowers more frequently and more abundantly if you allow the top 25% of the soil dry out before watering. If the leaves of Lipstick HousePlants appear soft and shriveled, give the plant more water. Lipstick Plants lose green leaves when they are over-watered.

FERTILIZER: Feed Lipstick House Plants every other week in the spring and summer, and monthly in the fall and winter with a houseplant food high in phosphorous. Always dilute the fertilizer to 1/2 the recommended strength. 

TEMPERATURE: Lipstick HousePlants like warm temperatures between 75-85 degrees.

HUMIDITY: A Lipstick Plant prefers high humidity but does well in basic household humidity.

FLOWERING: Indoor Lipstick Plants, when placed in a bright location, produce beautiful, small, reddish orange flowers throughout the year. Stressing Lipstick HousePlants by allowing the soil to dry out often encourages Lipstick Plants to bloom.

PESTS: Mealy Bugs, spider mites, Aphids, and thrips are houseplant pests that can attack Lipstick Plants. Examine indoor Lipstick Plants every time you water to catch insect problems early.

DISEASES: Lipstick Plants may develop fungal plant diseases because of the high humidity they prefer.

SOIL: A basic well-aerated houseplant mix that drains quickly is a good soil for indoor Lipstick Plants.