Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus lobbianus) – Flowering plants

Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus lobbianus) is a trailing perennial, flowering plant. Its leaves are grey-green, finely toothed and fringed with purple. The oval-shaped leaves that are arranged alternately on dark, wiry stems. The flowers are 5 cm long, dark red with burgundy streaks. This attractive flowering vine is ideal for use in hanging pots.

Scientific Name: Medinilla magnifica
Common Name: Lipstick Plant.

How to grow and maintain the Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus lobbianus):

Light:
It thrives best in bright light with some direct sun in winter. Plants that don’t bloom aren’t getting enough light. Place your plant in a bright location and you can expect flowers all spring and summer.

Soil:
It grows well in rich, moist but well-drained, peat moss-based mix.

Water:
Water thoroughly spring through fall, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings and water very sparingly during winter.

Temperature:
It thrives best average room temperatures 60°F – 75°F / 16°C – 24°C.

Humidity:
It requires moderate to high room humidity. Try to keep relative humidity around 50% or higher. Discover easy ways to increase humidity for your tropical houseplants.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize every two weeks spring through fall with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half. Do not feed in winter.

Re-potting:
Re-pot in spring or summer when the roots fill the pot, moving it up only one size larger pot. Keeping the plant slightly pot-bound will help it to bloom.

Pruning:
Prune it back. Prune back stems after blooming as needed. You can cut up to 1/3 of the plant to prevent it from getting leggy and to encourage branching. Blossoms grow near the tips of new stems, so you will get more blooms this way. Always prune above a leaf node. Use sharp, clean pruning shears to avoid jagged tears and disease.

Propagation:
It can be easily propagated by stem tip cuttings. Take 10-15 cm stem tip cuttings in spring or summer.

Pests and Diseases:
It has no serious pest or disease problems. Sometimes susceptible to aphids, mealybug, and scale insect.