Overview

Introduce a splash of vibrant color and unique texture to your indoor garden with the stunning variegated lipstick plant. This live plant, scientifically known as Aeschynanthus radicans ‘Variegata’, is a tropical epiphytic perennial celebrated for its striking foliage and distinctive, bright red blooms. Originating from the tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia, this particular variety stands out with its beautiful cream and green variegated leaves, providing visual interest even when not in flower. As a tropical trailing plant, it naturally cascades, making it a perfect choice for hanging baskets, elevated shelves, or as a vibrant accent in your plant collection. The variegated lipstick plant is cherished by houseplant enthusiasts for its relatively easy care and its ability to thrive indoors year-round, bringing a touch of the exotic to any home environment. Its unique appearance and rewarding blooms make it a truly captivating addition.

The common name, ‘lipstick plant,’ comes from the way its tubular red flowers emerge from dark, bud-like calyxes, resembling a lipstick tube. This variegated houseplant offers continuous appeal with its lush, colorful leaves and periodic bursts of vibrant red. It’s a wonderful choice for those looking to add dynamic beauty without demanding excessive attention, proving that exotic plants can also be quite manageable. Whether you are a seasoned plant parent or just starting your indoor garden journey, this plant will surely delight with its tropical charm and distinctive look.

Key Benefits

The variegated lipstick plant offers numerous advantages, making it a highly desirable addition to any indoor space. Its unique characteristics contribute to both aesthetic appeal and ease of maintenance.

• Stunning Variegated Foliage: Enjoy year-round visual interest with its beautiful cream and green leaves, providing a bright and lively contrast in any setting. This variegation makes it a standout among other houseplants.
• Vibrant Red Blooms: Experience the joy of its bright red, tubular flowers that emerge from dark calyxes, resembling a lipstick tube. These eye-catching blooms appear from spring to fall, adding a pop of color.
• Easy Care Trailing Plant: This plant is known for its relatively low maintenance requirements, making it suitable for both beginner and experienced plant enthusiasts. It thrives with basic care, allowing you to enjoy its beauty without constant fuss.
• Versatile Display Options: Its natural trailing habit makes it perfect for hanging baskets, allowing its vines to gracefully cascade. It also looks fantastic on shelves, plant stands, or as part of a larger plant arrangement, enhancing small spaces.
• Air Purifying Qualities: Like many houseplants, the variegated lipstick plant contributes to a healthier indoor environment by helping to purify the air, creating a fresher and more pleasant atmosphere.
• Compact Growth Habit: Reaching approximately 12-24 inches when mature, it maintains a manageable size, making it ideal for various indoor settings without overwhelming your space.
• Year-Round Indoor Beauty: Capable of growing indoors throughout the year, this tropical gem provides continuous greenery and periodic blooms, brightening your home regardless of the season.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your variegated lipstick plant is straightforward, ensuring it remains a vibrant and thriving part of your indoor collection. This tropical trailing plant prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct, harsh sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day, as it can scorch the delicate variegated leaves. An east or west-facing window is often ideal, providing ample light without being too intense. If the leaves start to lose their variegation or the plant becomes leggy, it may need more light. Conversely, brown crispy edges can indicate too much direct sun. Good air circulation is also beneficial for healthy growth.

When it comes to watering, the variegated lipstick plant prefers consistently moist but not waterlogged soil. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which is a common issue for many houseplants. Use a well-draining potting mix that retains some moisture but allows excess water to escape easily. During its active growing season (spring through fall), you may need to water more frequently. Reduce watering in the colder months when the plant’s growth slows down. Fertilize every 2-4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Avoid fertilizing in winter.

This aeschynanthus radicans thrives in warm temperatures, ideally between 65-80°F (18-27°C), and high humidity. If your home is dry, consider placing the plant near a humidifier or on a pebble tray filled with water to increase ambient humidity. It is typically grown as an indoor plant and is only suitable for outdoor cultivation in USDA hardiness zones 10-11. Pruning can help maintain a bushy shape and encourage more blooms. Pinch back the stems after flowering to promote new growth and branching. Keep an eye out for common pests like spider mites and mealybugs; address any infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Size & Details

This variegated lipstick plant is provided as a healthy, established live plant in a 4-inch nursery pot, ready for immediate display or transplanting into your preferred decorative container. When mature, this stunning variegated houseplant typically reaches a trailing length of approximately 12 to 24 inches, creating a beautiful cascading effect. The plant ships securely in its pot with soil, ensuring minimal stress during transit and a smooth transition to its new home. Its moderate growth rate means you’ll see a steady development of its unique foliage and vibrant flowers over time. The compact size of the 4-inch pot also makes it an excellent choice for smaller spaces, desks, or as an accent in larger plant arrangements.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this variegated lipstick plant get? A: This variegated lipstick plant typically reaches a trailing length of 12 to 24 inches when mature, making it an ideal size for hanging baskets or shelves without taking up too much space.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: Your variegated lipstick plant will arrive in a standard 4-inch nursery pot, ready for you to place in your chosen decorative planter or hanging basket.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The variegated lipstick plant is primarily an indoor houseplant. It can be grown outdoors only in warm climates, specifically USDA hardiness zones 10–11, where temperatures do not drop below freezing.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This aeschynanthus radicans thrives in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct afternoon sun, which can scorch its delicate variegated leaves. A spot near an east or west-facing window is often ideal.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the variegated lipstick plant is considered an easy-care trailing plant. It requires consistent watering, bright indirect light, and moderate humidity to flourish, making it suitable for most plant enthusiasts.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your variegated lipstick plant will be shipped as a healthy, live plant in its 4-inch nursery pot with soil, carefully packaged to ensure it arrives in excellent condition, ready to thrive in your home.
• Q: How long until it blooms? A: With proper care, your variegated lipstick plant can begin to produce its striking red, tube-shaped flowers from spring through fall, adding vibrant color to your indoor space.
• Q: Is it pet-safe? A: While generally considered non-toxic, it’s always best to keep plants out of reach of pets to prevent any potential irritation or upset stomach if ingested.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature this variegated houseplant can tolerate? A: As a tropical plant, the variegated lipstick plant prefers temperatures above 60°F (15°C). It will not tolerate frost and should be protected from cold drafts.
• Q: How often should I fertilize my lipstick plant? A: During the active growing season (spring to fall), fertilize your lipstick plant care regimen with a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half strength, every 2-4 weeks. Reduce or stop fertilization during winter.