The Lipstick Plant, botanically known as Aeschynanthus radicans, is a popular trailing houseplant admired for its long cascading vines, thick glossy green leaves, and brilliant tubular flowers that emerge from dark buds like a fresh tube of lipstick.
Blooming repeatedly throughout the warmer months, it brings vibrant color and a lush tropical feel to hanging baskets, elevated shelves, and indoor plant displays, making it one of the most rewarding flowering houseplants to grow.
The lipstick plant can typically live for 5–10 years with proper care and may benefit from occasional pruning as it matures to encourage fuller, bushier growth.
It is also commonly known as basket vine, lipstick vine, or purple star lipstick plant; all names are inspired by its distinctive blooms.
At maturity, this graceful vine can grow up to 3 feet long and spread roughly 3 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for apartments, offices, and other indoor spaces.
A healthy Lipstick Plant can bloom multiple times a year, producing colorful displays for up to 4–6 months annually.
During spring through early fall, clusters of bright red, orange, or deep coral tubular flowers emerge from dark, cup-like buds, creating the iconic "lipstick" appearance that gives the plant its memorable name.
Native to the warm, humid forests of Southeast Asia, this tropical epiphyte naturally grows on trees beneath the forest canopy rather than in dense ground soil. Its natural climbing habit explains why it thrives in loose, airy potting mixes and looks especially stunning when allowed to trail freely from hanging baskets or elevated planters.
When and How to Water Your Lipstick Plant
This popular Lipstick hanging plant is slightly drought-tolerant due to its semi-succulent leaves, meaning it can handle short dry periods better than overwatering. However, it thrives best when the soil is kept lightly moist, not soggy.
Always allow the top 1–2 inches of soil to dry out before watering again. Overwatering is the most common issue and can quickly lead to root rot, especially in poorly draining soil.
Lipstick Plant watering should be moderate and controlled, requiring watering every 5–7 days during the growing season (March–September) with enough water to moisten the soil, and reduced watering every 10–14 days in the dormant season (October–February) with lighter amounts to prevent root rot.
In the spring and summer, this plant requires consistent moisture to support active growth and flowering. In spring and summer, water thoroughly so excess drains out, ensuring roots receive deep hydration. Depending on temperature and humidity, watering every 5–7 days is usually ideal, but in hotter conditions, you may need to water more frequently. Regular watering during this period encourages lush trailing growth and vibrant blooms.
In the fall and winter, it needs significantly less water to avoid stress and root damage. In fall and winter, growth slows, so watering should be reduced to every 10–14 days. Let the soil dry out more between waterings, and avoid leaving the plant sitting in wet soil. Lower watering helps mimic its natural resting phase and prevents fungal issues.
Light Requirements – Where to Place Your Lipstick Plant
When growing indoors, your Lipstick vine plant thrives in bright, indirect light for 6–8 hours daily, which promotes healthy foliage and flowering.
Place it near an east- or bright north-facing window where it receives filtered sunlight.
Direct harsh sunlight can scorch leaves, while low light can reduce flowering and cause leggy growth. Consistent bright light is essential for maintaining its vibrant appearance.
Consistent indoor lighting ensures strong growth and encourages frequent blooming cycles.
If natural light is limited, supplement with grow lights for about 10–12 hours daily. Avoid placing the plant in dark corners, as insufficient light will lead to weak stems and fewer flowers.
When grown outdoors, this hanging plant thrives year-round in USDA Hardiness Zones 10–11 and requires warm, stable temperatures consistently above 50°F. It grows best in partial shade with 4–6 hours of filtered sunlight daily, making it a perfect addition to shaded patios, balconies, or under trees where it receives dappled light. Direct midday sun must be avoided, as it will quickly scorch the leaves and permanently stress the plant.
Keep in mind that while too much shade can limit flowering, excessive sun exposure can turn the leaves into a bleached, crisp brown. If you live in a cooler climate outside of its tropical hardiness zone, simply bring your plant indoors to a bright window before the autumn temperatures begin to drop.
Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs
The Lipstick plants like very airy, porous, nutrient-rich soil with a pH of 6.0 - 7.0. A mix of potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark works well to ensure proper aeration and drainage. This prevents root rot while still holding enough moisture for healthy growth. As an alternative, you can create your own potting mix by combining equal portions of perlite, coarse sand, and good natural potting soil. Ideally, you want to use our specialized succulent potting mix that contains 5 natural substrates and organic mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your houseplant to thrive.
Fertilization should be light and should be once a year in spring during the growing season to support blooms. A balanced liquid NPK fertilizer of about a 5-10-5 ratio should be used. Avoid overfeeding, as excess fertilizer can lead to salt buildup and reduced flowering.
Tips to Best Grow Indoors as a Houseplant
The Lipstick Plant makes an exceptional indoor hanging plant, featuring colorful, cascading vines that trail naturally down from high shelves. Its brilliant, recurring flowers make it the perfect centerpiece for hanging baskets.
- It should be placed in bright, indirect light for about 6–8 hours daily.
- The soil should be well-drained and airy to prevent waterlogging.
- The plant should be watered when the topsoil dries out, keeping it lightly moist.
- The temperature should be maintained between 65–80°F.
- The plant should have moderate to high humidity for the best growth.
- It should be kept away from cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.
Hardiness Zones & More
In the United States, this is mostly an indoor plant, but if you live in southern Florida or Hawaii, then you can cultivate it outdoors in USDA zones 10-12.
It is a tropical plant that does not tolerate frost, so it should be grown indoors or brought inside in cooler climates.
This lipstick plant prefers moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 50–70%, which mimics its natural tropical environment. In dry indoor conditions, using a humidifier or placing the plant near a tray of water can help maintain adequate humidity.
In terms of light, it grows best in bright, indirect light or partial shade outdoors. Avoid direct sunlight in hot climates, as it can scorch leaves, while ensuring enough light exposure to support flowering and overall growth.
Wildlife – Lipstick Plant Flowers Attract the Following Friendly Pollinators
Lipstick Plant flowers are known to attract pollinators such as hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies due to their bright tubular shape and nectar-rich blooms. These pollinators help support biodiversity when the plant is grown outdoors.
Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds
According to ASPCA guidelines, Lipstick Plant is generally considered non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. It is widely recommended as a safe choice for pet-friendly homes because it does not contain the dangerous compounds found in many other houseplants.
How to Propagate Your Lipstick Plant
You can easily propagate it through stem cuttings, allowing you to quickly grow new plants by rooting healthy stems in water or soil under warm, bright conditions. To propagate, select a healthy stem that is about 4–6 inches long and has several leaves, then cut just below a node (the point where leaves grow).
Remove the lower leaves and place the cutting either in a jar of water or directly into moist, well-draining soil. Keep the cutting in a warm spot with bright, indirect light and maintain slight moisture (if in soil) or change the water every few days (if in water). Roots usually begin to develop within 2–4 weeks, and once they are well established, the new plant can be transferred to a pot with regular care.
Potting and repotting your Lipstick Vine Plant
Lipstick Vine grows best when slightly root-bound and should be repotted every 1–2 years using a well-draining mix to support healthy growth without excess moisture. Choose a pot with drainage holes and use a light, airy soil mix such as potting soil combined with perlite or orchid bark. When repotting, gently remove the plant from its current pot, loosen the roots slightly, and place it into a container that is only one size larger to avoid overwatering issues. Repotting is best done in spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing, allowing it to adjust quickly and continue producing lush trailing stems.
Key Takeaways
- A popular hanging houseplant, Lipstick Plant is loved for its cascading vines and vibrant tubular flowers that make it perfect for baskets and shelves.
- This plant has a long lifespan, often living 5–10 years or more indoors with proper care, making it a rewarding long-term addition to your plant collection.
- Lipstick Plant blooms multiple times a year, especially from spring to early fall, producing eye-catching flowers in repeated cycles under the right conditions.
- Its unique “lipstick-shaped” blooms emerging from dark buds give it a distinctive and exotic appearance, unlike most houseplants.
- It is relatively low-maintenance and pet-friendly, thriving in bright, indirect light with moderate watering and adapting well to indoor environments.
How to Prune Your Lipstick Vine Cascading Stem
Pruning Lipstick Vine helps maintain its shape, encourages fuller growth, and promotes more blooms by trimming back long or leggy stems. Use clean, sharp scissors to cut back overly long or sparse stems, ideally just above a leaf node, which encourages new branching from that point. Regular light pruning after flowering keeps the plant compact and bushy, while removing any dead or damaged stems improves overall health. The trimmed cuttings can also be used for propagation, making pruning both a maintenance and growth opportunity.
The Bottom Line
Overall, the Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) is a beautiful and low-maintenance tropical houseplant that offers both lush foliage and striking blooms. Its trailing growth habit makes it perfect for decorative displays, while its adaptability allows it to thrive in indoor environments with proper care.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced plant lover, this plant adds elegance and color to your space with minimal effort. Order now to get this stunning lipstick plant for sale for your home or garden today.
Growers Quick Reference Guide - Key Features
- Description
- Key Plant Features
The Lipstick Plant, botanically known as Aeschynanthus radicans, is a popular trailing houseplant admired for its long cascading vines, thick glossy green leaves, and brilliant tubular flowers that emerge from dark buds like a fresh tube of lipstick.
Blooming repeatedly throughout the warmer months, it brings vibrant color and a lush tropical feel to hanging baskets, elevated shelves, and indoor plant displays, making it one of the most rewarding flowering houseplants to grow.
The lipstick plant can typically live for 5–10 years with proper care and may benefit from occasional pruning as it matures to encourage fuller, bushier growth.
It is also commonly known as basket vine, lipstick vine, or purple star lipstick plant; all names are inspired by its distinctive blooms.
At maturity, this graceful vine can grow up to 3 feet long and spread roughly 3 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for apartments, offices, and other indoor spaces.
A healthy Lipstick Plant can bloom multiple times a year, producing colorful displays for up to 4–6 months annually.
During spring through early fall, clusters of bright red, orange, or deep coral tubular flowers emerge from dark, cup-like buds, creating the iconic "lipstick" appearance that gives the plant its memorable name.
Native to the warm, humid forests of Southeast Asia, this tropical epiphyte naturally grows on trees beneath the forest canopy rather than in dense ground soil. Its natural climbing habit explains why it thrives in loose, airy potting mixes and looks especially stunning when allowed to trail freely from hanging baskets or elevated planters.
When and How to Water Your Lipstick Plant
This popular Lipstick hanging plant is slightly drought-tolerant due to its semi-succulent leaves, meaning it can handle short dry periods better than overwatering. However, it thrives best when the soil is kept lightly moist, not soggy.
Always allow the top 1–2 inches of soil to dry out before watering again. Overwatering is the most common issue and can quickly lead to root rot, especially in poorly draining soil.
Lipstick Plant watering should be moderate and controlled, requiring watering every 5–7 days during the growing season (March–September) with enough water to moisten the soil, and reduced watering every 10–14 days in the dormant season (October–February) with lighter amounts to prevent root rot.
In the spring and summer, this plant requires consistent moisture to support active growth and flowering. In spring and summer, water thoroughly so excess drains out, ensuring roots receive deep hydration. Depending on temperature and humidity, watering every 5–7 days is usually ideal, but in hotter conditions, you may need to water more frequently. Regular watering during this period encourages lush trailing growth and vibrant blooms.
In the fall and winter, it needs significantly less water to avoid stress and root damage. In fall and winter, growth slows, so watering should be reduced to every 10–14 days. Let the soil dry out more between waterings, and avoid leaving the plant sitting in wet soil. Lower watering helps mimic its natural resting phase and prevents fungal issues.
Light Requirements – Where to Place Your Lipstick Plant
When growing indoors, your Lipstick vine plant thrives in bright, indirect light for 6–8 hours daily, which promotes healthy foliage and flowering.
Place it near an east- or bright north-facing window where it receives filtered sunlight.
Direct harsh sunlight can scorch leaves, while low light can reduce flowering and cause leggy growth. Consistent bright light is essential for maintaining its vibrant appearance.
Consistent indoor lighting ensures strong growth and encourages frequent blooming cycles.
If natural light is limited, supplement with grow lights for about 10–12 hours daily. Avoid placing the plant in dark corners, as insufficient light will lead to weak stems and fewer flowers.
When grown outdoors, this hanging plant thrives year-round in USDA Hardiness Zones 10–11 and requires warm, stable temperatures consistently above 50°F. It grows best in partial shade with 4–6 hours of filtered sunlight daily, making it a perfect addition to shaded patios, balconies, or under trees where it receives dappled light. Direct midday sun must be avoided, as it will quickly scorch the leaves and permanently stress the plant.
Keep in mind that while too much shade can limit flowering, excessive sun exposure can turn the leaves into a bleached, crisp brown. If you live in a cooler climate outside of its tropical hardiness zone, simply bring your plant indoors to a bright window before the autumn temperatures begin to drop.
Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs
The Lipstick plants like very airy, porous, nutrient-rich soil with a pH of 6.0 - 7.0. A mix of potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark works well to ensure proper aeration and drainage. This prevents root rot while still holding enough moisture for healthy growth. As an alternative, you can create your own potting mix by combining equal portions of perlite, coarse sand, and good natural potting soil. Ideally, you want to use our specialized succulent potting mix that contains 5 natural substrates and organic mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your houseplant to thrive.
Fertilization should be light and should be once a year in spring during the growing season to support blooms. A balanced liquid NPK fertilizer of about a 5-10-5 ratio should be used. Avoid overfeeding, as excess fertilizer can lead to salt buildup and reduced flowering.
Tips to Best Grow Indoors as a Houseplant
The Lipstick Plant makes an exceptional indoor hanging plant, featuring colorful, cascading vines that trail naturally down from high shelves. Its brilliant, recurring flowers make it the perfect centerpiece for hanging baskets.
- It should be placed in bright, indirect light for about 6–8 hours daily.
- The soil should be well-drained and airy to prevent waterlogging.
- The plant should be watered when the topsoil dries out, keeping it lightly moist.
- The temperature should be maintained between 65–80°F.
- The plant should have moderate to high humidity for the best growth.
- It should be kept away from cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.
Hardiness Zones & More
In the United States, this is mostly an indoor plant, but if you live in southern Florida or Hawaii, then you can cultivate it outdoors in USDA zones 10-12.
It is a tropical plant that does not tolerate frost, so it should be grown indoors or brought inside in cooler climates.
This lipstick plant prefers moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 50–70%, which mimics its natural tropical environment. In dry indoor conditions, using a humidifier or placing the plant near a tray of water can help maintain adequate humidity.
In terms of light, it grows best in bright, indirect light or partial shade outdoors. Avoid direct sunlight in hot climates, as it can scorch leaves, while ensuring enough light exposure to support flowering and overall growth.
Wildlife – Lipstick Plant Flowers Attract the Following Friendly Pollinators
Lipstick Plant flowers are known to attract pollinators such as hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies due to their bright tubular shape and nectar-rich blooms. These pollinators help support biodiversity when the plant is grown outdoors.
Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds
According to ASPCA guidelines, Lipstick Plant is generally considered non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. It is widely recommended as a safe choice for pet-friendly homes because it does not contain the dangerous compounds found in many other houseplants.
How to Propagate Your Lipstick Plant
You can easily propagate it through stem cuttings, allowing you to quickly grow new plants by rooting healthy stems in water or soil under warm, bright conditions. To propagate, select a healthy stem that is about 4–6 inches long and has several leaves, then cut just below a node (the point where leaves grow).
Remove the lower leaves and place the cutting either in a jar of water or directly into moist, well-draining soil. Keep the cutting in a warm spot with bright, indirect light and maintain slight moisture (if in soil) or change the water every few days (if in water). Roots usually begin to develop within 2–4 weeks, and once they are well established, the new plant can be transferred to a pot with regular care.
Potting and repotting your Lipstick Vine Plant
Lipstick Vine grows best when slightly root-bound and should be repotted every 1–2 years using a well-draining mix to support healthy growth without excess moisture. Choose a pot with drainage holes and use a light, airy soil mix such as potting soil combined with perlite or orchid bark. When repotting, gently remove the plant from its current pot, loosen the roots slightly, and place it into a container that is only one size larger to avoid overwatering issues. Repotting is best done in spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing, allowing it to adjust quickly and continue producing lush trailing stems.
Key Takeaways
- A popular hanging houseplant, Lipstick Plant is loved for its cascading vines and vibrant tubular flowers that make it perfect for baskets and shelves.
- This plant has a long lifespan, often living 5–10 years or more indoors with proper care, making it a rewarding long-term addition to your plant collection.
- Lipstick Plant blooms multiple times a year, especially from spring to early fall, producing eye-catching flowers in repeated cycles under the right conditions.
- Its unique “lipstick-shaped” blooms emerging from dark buds give it a distinctive and exotic appearance, unlike most houseplants.
- It is relatively low-maintenance and pet-friendly, thriving in bright, indirect light with moderate watering and adapting well to indoor environments.
How to Prune Your Lipstick Vine Cascading Stem
Pruning Lipstick Vine helps maintain its shape, encourages fuller growth, and promotes more blooms by trimming back long or leggy stems. Use clean, sharp scissors to cut back overly long or sparse stems, ideally just above a leaf node, which encourages new branching from that point. Regular light pruning after flowering keeps the plant compact and bushy, while removing any dead or damaged stems improves overall health. The trimmed cuttings can also be used for propagation, making pruning both a maintenance and growth opportunity.
The Bottom Line
Overall, the Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) is a beautiful and low-maintenance tropical houseplant that offers both lush foliage and striking blooms. Its trailing growth habit makes it perfect for decorative displays, while its adaptability allows it to thrive in indoor environments with proper care.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced plant lover, this plant adds elegance and color to your space with minimal effort. Order now to get this stunning lipstick plant for sale for your home or garden today.
Growers Quick Reference Guide - Key Features
