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How to Care For a Lipstick Plant in 5 Steps

September 9, 2023

Have you ever heard of a Lipstick plant? Do you know how beautiful they are? There are many people who are still not familiar with this plant. There are also a lot of people who know about this plant but do not know the caring process. We have curated this article to solve this query. How to care for a Lipstick plant is what we will learn here.

Table of Contents

1. What is a Lipstick Plant?

These are some of the most unique flowering plants available in the world.

They look extremely beautiful when placed both indoors and outdoors. The unique flowers of this plant are what makes it even more popular. The strong wavy and thick leaves also add to the beauty of the plant.

We will have to know about the plant in detail before learning the steps involved in taking care of the plant.

Common name: Basket Vine or Lipstick Plant
Scientific name: Aeschynanthus radicans
Classification: Tropical Plant
Temperature: 65-85 Fahrenheit
Light: Bright light Indoors, shaded areas outdoors
Flowers: Burgundy, red, orange or yellow,
Humidity: High
Water: Adequately moist soil
Soil: Fast-draining soil is the best

This plant is mostly found in the Southeast Asian regions. It’s a flowering plant that is famous for the unique flowers it grows. The name Lipstick plant comes from the way it blooms flowers. The unique formation of the flowers makes it very unique and demanding. One of the most interesting facts about this flower is the way it opens. When it is fully grown, it appears to be a lipstick oozing out from the tube. Hence the name Lipstick plant.

The colour of the flower may vary from plant to plant. It depends on the type of plant that you have bought at home. There are various kinds of flowers available for this plant. Some of the colours are yellow, red, burgundy and even orange.

Different varieties of these plants are also available. Let us learn about them in detail.

2. Types of Lipstick Plant

There are different varieties of this plant available as mentioned earlier. Let us know about them in detail.

2.1. Black Pagoda

One of the most unique varieties of Lipstick plant. The colour of the flowers is the best part about this plant.

The flowers are red on the tip and the rest of the body is yellowish-orange. The colour is very bright and gorgeous. This makes it one of the most unique varieties of Lipstick plants.

2.2. Curly Leaf

Curly leaf is another interesting variety of this plant. We can make out by the name why is this plant named so. The leaves of this kind of Lipstick plant are generally curly.

Some of the plants even have semi-curvy or wavy stems. The flowers of this plant are also very colourful and vibrant. They attract a lot of people.

2.3. Mona Lisa

Sounds interesting by the name right? Yes, Mona Lisa is the name of a variety of Lipstick plants. This type of Lipstick plant has dark green foliage. It also has smaller leaves as compared to the other plants.

The flowers are again the best part of this plant. The reddish-orange colour makes it very attractive. It is one of the most rarest type of Lipstick plant.

2.4. Rasta

Rasta is yet another type of Lipstick plant that is famous among the South Asian community. The leaves of this plant are also very twisted. The twisted leaves make the plant look unique even when there are no flowers.

It is a very rare species of the Lipstick plant.

2.5. Variegated

Ever heard of this name before? We assure you not. This is because Variegated is one of the most rare hybrids of the Lipstick plant. These plants generally have golden leaves. Some of the varieties also have white or golden-green leaves. You will be able to spot them in very rare nurseries. Make sure to buy the right type because a lot of fake Variegated Lipstick plants are available in the market. This is because of the rare nature of this hybrid.

3. How to Care for a Lipstick Plant

There are some of the very minor things that you must keep in mind while taking care of this plant. Though all of these might seem minor, they affect the overall health of the plant. You should be well-known for the caring steps before bringing this plant home.

Let us know about the steps involved in taking care of this plant.

3.1. Water

Water plays a major role in the growth of a Lipstick plant. It is important to know that a Lipstick plant prefers to be dry, but not completely dry. You should know how much quantity is enough for the plant.

These plants have the ability to withstand drought and can bear extreme weather conditions. But do not let the water dry off completely. This will result in weathering of the leaves. The leaves will turn brown and eventually fall off if you leave them unattended for a long time.

Keeping the soil moist and the tips of the plant dry is the best way to water these plants. Do not leave the plant dehydrated but also do not overwater.

3.2. Humidity

Humidity plays an important role when it comes to growing a Lipstick plant. Exposing the plant to the right amount of humidity can do wonders. The humidity which ranges from 50-60% is perfect for the lipstick plant.

The kitchen and bathroom are therefore the perfect places to places for this plant if you are planning to keep it indoors. Does it sound weird? But it’s actually not. These places make the best environment for the Lipstick plant.

There is also an option if you don’t want to keep it there. You can try spraying water on the leaves every now and then to keep them moist. Make sure not to overdo it as it can cause harm.

You can keep a check on the humidity level that your plant is receiving on a daily basis. A humidifier can help you in keeping track of the humidity level around your plant.

3.3. Light

Light plays another important role when it comes to growing and taking care of a plant. The amount of light it gets determines the quality of the plant. The plant generally prefers sunlight but indirect. It is always better to keep it in a place that receives indirect sunlight.

Take care of the amount of light being received even if you are keeping the plant indoors. Make sure to keep it in a place that receives light either from eh window or any other sources in the room. This will help the plant to bloom.

Lack of light will result in the poor health condition of the plant. The plant will not be able to bloom to its fullest. You can even add an artificial source of light to help the plant bloom if it is not getting enough sunlight. This artificial sunlight will also help the plant grow in the same way as the sunlight would.

Make sure to keep it away from direct sunlight if you are planning to place your plant outdoors. Keeping it in a place that is shady but still receives indirect sunlight is the best way to help the plant grow. Direct sunlight can be harsh for the little plant and will therefore cause withering.

3.4. Temperature

Temperature also plays an important role when it comes to growing a Lipstick plant. The right amount of temperature can do wonders for the plant. The ideal range of temperature for a Lipstick plant ranges from 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Any weather condition that goes higher or lower than this temperature can cause harm to the plant.

In some of the cases, these plants have been seen tolerating a temperature less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit for a short period of time. They will not be able to withstand these temperatures for a long time. Exposing these plants to extreme weather conditions will result in shedding their leaves and halting their growth.

The plants have more resistance to heat than compared to cold. They can still survive for a few days in hot climates but not cold. Your plant might survive the hot days if you water them regularly and keep the soil moist.

You can also maintain the temperature of your plant by watering it regularly if it is too hot outside. Spraying some water on the leaves of the plant and keeping the soil moist will help the plant to grow better. You can also add a water tray if you want the air around the plant to be humid.

3.5. Soil

The type of soil you choose also plays an important role when it comes to taking care of a plant. A soil that can retain enough moisture and drain away the excess is the best type of soil for this plant. The general potting soil has all these qualities. Therefore it is one of the best soil selections for a Lipstick plant.

You can also add coarse sand or pumice if you want the drainage of your soil to be even better. This will allow you to water properly and also take care of the drainage. Water logging can damage the condition of the plant. It is therefore advised to give drainage of the soil proper importance.

You can add enough water that will keep the soil moist throughout the day. This way you will need to water only once or twice in the entire day.

4. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Lipstick plant. We are going to solve some of these queries.

What is the best time for the blooming of Lipstick plants?

The best time for blooming of the Lipstick plants is during summer. They also bloom during the early fall. The plants are versatile and are known to flower throughout the year. If you take care of the plant well, it will produce flowers throughout the year.

Are these plants toxic in any way?

Lipstick plants are not toxic. They are completely safe for humans and pets. You can safely grow these plants in your houses without the fear of anything.

Are these plants very easy to grow?

Every plant is easy to grow once you know the way to take care of them. You should know the fundamentals that are required to keep the plant healthy. This will make the growing process of your plant easy.

What is the best spot to place the Lipstick plants?

You can place your plant either indoors or outdoors. The only thing to keep in mind is that it should not receive direct sunlight. Exposure to direct sunlight can cause harm to the growing process of the plant.

How fast does a Lipstick plant grow?

The growth of the plant depends on the species. The rate of growth varies from one species of the plant to the other.

5. Conclusion

These are some of the ways by which you can take care of a Lipstick plant. Make sure to follow these steps in order to have a healthy plant.

You can leave your valuable comment below and let us know what you think about this guide.

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