Lipstick Plant
Aeschynanth
If you have a bright spot in you home or office and want a graceful draping plant that blooms off and on all year, lipstick plants are a great choice. Although a relative of the somewhat finicky African violet, lipstick plants are very easy care 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 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 them as one of your houseplants.
Light
Water
These plants flower more frequently and more abundantly if you allow the top 25% of the soil dry out before watering. If the leaves of a lipstick plant appear soft and shriveled, give the plant more water. These plants lose green leaves when they are over-watered.
Fertilizer
Feed 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 fertilizerPlants need fertilizer only when they are actively growing. Slow growing plants in low light require very little plant food. Too much fertilizer is worse than not enough. Most plants prefer a water soluble plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Plants that are in bloom or dormant should not be fertilized. Houseplant food contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A fertilizer containing these elements in equal proportion is considered a balanced plant food. Nitrogen helps in photosynthesis and encourages the growth of leaves and stems. Potassium and phosphorus also help in photosynthesis and aid in root and flower development. Most fertilizers have trace elements of other minerals that are lacking in the soil but are necessary for good plant growth. Fertilizers have a high salt content. If a plant is not producing new leaves and doesn’t absorb the fertilizer, salts build up in the soil. These salts can burn the roots, discolor the leaves, and cause new growth to be small.
to 1/2 the recommended strength.
Temperature
Lipstick plants like warm temperatures between 75°-85°F (23.9°- 29.4°C)
Humidity
Although a lipstick plant prefers high humidity, it does well in basic household humidity.
Flowering
Lipstick plants placed in a bright location produce beautiful, small, reddish orange flowers throughout the year. Stressing a lipstick plant by allowing the soil to dry out encourages it to bloom.
Pests
Mealy BugsLearn how to identify and treat Mealy Bugs, a houseplant pest that leaves sticky, white, cottony residue on houseplants., spider mitesLearn how to identify and treat Spider Mites on plants. This sucking plant pest causes yellow blotchy leaves with a red haze and a gritty feel to them., AphidsSee a picture, learn to identify, and read about Aphid houseplant pests in the Glossary of Houseplant411.com., and thripThrip are tiny winged brown insects that feed on the surfaces of plant leaves, flowers, and buds. They leave silver spots around their feeding areas and dark dots of excrement. Thrip not only weaken plant growth and distort buds and flowers, they transmit viruses from plant to plant as they fly around. The Green Solution, Neem Oil, and Yellow Sticky Cards all are effective in eliminating thrip.s are house Plant PestLearn how to identify and treat the plant pest called Whitefly at https://www.houseplant411.com/glossary/whitefly-plant-pestss that attack lipstick plants. Examine your plant every time you water to catch insect problems early.
Diseases
Lipstick plants can develop fungal diseases when in an area of high humidity.
Soil
Use a balanced well-aerated houseplant mix that drains quickly.
Pot Size
Keeping lipstick plants in small pots helps them produce more flowers. When you put this plant in a large container, instead of producing flowers it grows more leaves.
Pruning
Trim the long vines to prevent the plant from becoming thin and straggly.
Propagation
Lipstick plants are easily propagated using 4” stem tip cuttings from the newest vines.
Poisonous Plant Info
How do I get indoor lipstick plant to bloom?
To help a lipstick plant get flowers and bloom longer place it in bright indirect lightVery few houseplants should be placed in direct sun. High light refers only to bright indirect light since direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants. An area that is too hot and dry encourages Spider Mites and causes blooms to quickly fade. A northern exposure really doesn't provide enough light for high light plants. These plants need to be placed directly in front of an east-facing window, within 1-3 feet of a west-facing window, and within 5 ft. of a south facing window. A high light area has over 300 ft. candles of light., stress it by under watering a bit, feed with a fertilizerPlants need fertilizer only when they are actively growing. Slow growing plants in low light require very little plant food. Too much fertilizer is worse than not enough. Most plants prefer a water soluble plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Plants that are in bloom or dormant should not be fertilized. Houseplant food contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A fertilizer containing these elements in equal proportion is considered a balanced plant food. Nitrogen helps in photosynthesis and encourages the growth of leaves and stems. Potassium and phosphorus also help in photosynthesis and aid in root and flower development. Most fertilizers have trace elements of other minerals that are lacking in the soil but are necessary for good plant growth. Fertilizers have a high salt content. If a plant is not producing new leaves and doesn’t absorb the fertilizer, salts build up in the soil. These salts can burn the roots, discolor the leaves, and cause new growth to be small.
high in potassium, and keep it root-bound.
What should I do if my lipstick plant is thin and straggly?
Thin and straggly lipstick plants need to be aggressively pruned and put it in bright indirect lightVery few houseplants should be placed in direct sun. High light refers only to bright indirect light since direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants. An area that is too hot and dry encourages Spider Mites and causes blooms to quickly fade. A northern exposure really doesn't provide enough light for high light plants. These plants need to be placed directly in front of an east-facing window, within 1-3 feet of a west-facing window, and within 5 ft. of a south facing window. A high light area has over 300 ft. candles of light..
Why do the leaves on my lipstick plant get ugly black spots?
Black spots on the leaves of lipstick plants usually indicate the plant has a fungal disease called botrytisBotrytis, or gray mold as it is commonly called, is a fungus that attacks the leaves, flowers, stems, and rhizomes of house plants. It first appears as a round brown or gray spot that gradually turns into a mass of fuzzy gray spores. This is where the nickname, gray mold, comes from. Prevent botrytis by quickly removing all dead or dying leaves and flowers that can serve as a breeding grounds. Keep water off of the leaves and provide good air circulation around plants. If a plant becomes infected with Gray Mold, trim off the diseased areas, remove any soil that has mold on it, and spray with a commercial fungicide. If you are adverse to chemicals you can try this homemade remedy. Put a tablespoon or two of baking soda in a spray bottle, add a teaspoon or two of mineral oil, and fill with water. Shake well and spray all parts of the plant. Botrytis often attacks the flower buds of Cyclamen, Begonias, African Violets, Lilies, and Geraniums.. Quickly cut off the diseased areas before the botrytisBotrytis, or gray mold as it is commonly called, is a fungus that attacks the leaves, flowers, stems, and rhizomes of house plants. It first appears as a round brown or gray spot that gradually turns into a mass of fuzzy gray spores. This is where the nickname, gray mold, comes from. Prevent botrytis by quickly removing all dead or dying leaves and flowers that can serve as a breeding grounds. Keep water off of the leaves and provide good air circulation around plants. If a plant becomes infected with Gray Mold, trim off the diseased areas, remove any soil that has mold on it, and spray with a commercial fungicide. If you are adverse to chemicals you can try this homemade remedy. Put a tablespoon or two of baking soda in a spray bottle, add a teaspoon or two of mineral oil, and fill with water. Shake well and spray all parts of the plant. Botrytis often attacks the flower buds of Cyclamen, Begonias, African Violets, Lilies, and Geraniums. spreads to other parts of the plant, and move your plant to a brighter, less humid location that has good air circulation. Keep the leaves dry and keep your diseased plant away from other plants. If the fungal disease returns, spray with a commercial FungicideLearn what fungicides are and how they are used to treat fungal and bacterial plant infections..
Can you tell me why an entire vine on my lipstick plant would dry up and die?
There could be a couple of reasons why an entire vine on a lipstick plant would dry up and die. First be sure the stem didn't die because it is broken somewhere along the stem line. If that’s not the problem increase the humidity and give your plant a little more water.
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