Overview

Bring a touch of the exotic into your home with the stunning Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant. This live plant, scientifically known as Aeschynanthus radicans ‘Black Pagoda’, is a captivating cultivar of the popular lipstick plant renowned for its dramatic foliage and intriguing blooms. Originating from tropical regions, this plant thrives as an indoor specimen, adding lush greenery and unique visual interest to any room. Its common name, ‘lipstick plant’, comes from the appearance of its developing flower buds which emerge from dark calyces, resembling tubes of lipstick. The ‘Black Pagoda’ variety is particularly prized for its deeply veined, dark green leaves with lighter green or silvery patterns, creating a striking contrast that stands out among other houseplants. Shipped as a healthy 2-inch potted plant, it’s ready to be a vibrant new addition to your collection, offering both beauty and a tropical ambiance.

Key Benefits

The Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant offers a multitude of benefits, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts. Its unique aesthetics and relatively straightforward care routine contribute to its widespread appeal. This indoor trailing plant is not only visually appealing but also contributes to a more vibrant living space.

• Exotic Visual Appeal: The variegated foliage of the Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant features intricate patterns of dark green and lighter green or silver, creating a dramatic and highly decorative display. This unique appearance makes it a focal point in any room, drawing attention with its striking leaves.

• Unique Blooms: While the foliage is a primary draw, the plant also produces fascinating tubular flowers that emerge from dark, almost black calyces. These blooms, often in shades of red or orange, resemble lipstick tubes, adding an element of surprise and charm to the plant’s overall beauty.

• Ideal for Hanging Baskets: With its naturally trailing growth habit, the Aeschynanthus radicans Black Pagoda is perfectly suited for hanging baskets. Its long, cascading stems create a lush, living curtain, making it an excellent choice for adding vertical interest to your indoor garden.

• Compact Size: Starting as a 2-inch potted plant, it’s a manageable size that fits well on shelves, desks, or in smaller living spaces. This allows you to enjoy its beauty without requiring extensive room.

• Relatively Low Maintenance: Although it appreciates consistent care, the lipstick plant care requirements are generally considered moderate. With proper light and watering, it can thrive and provide continuous beauty with minimal fuss, making it a rewarding plant for many.

• Air Purifying Qualities: Like many houseplants, the Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant can contribute to improved indoor air quality by absorbing common household toxins, promoting a healthier and more refreshing environment.

• Non-Toxic to Pets: A significant advantage for pet owners, this unique houseplant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, offering peace of mind while enjoying its beauty in your home.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant involves providing conditions that mimic its native tropical environment. With proper attention to light, water, and soil, your Aeschynanthus radicans Black Pagoda will flourish and exhibit its full beauty. Understanding good lipstick plant care is key to its long-term health and vibrant growth.

Sunlight Requirements: This plant thrives in bright, indirect light. Place it near an east or west-facing window where it can receive plenty of light without direct, harsh sun, which can scorch its leaves. Too little light will result in sparse growth and fewer blooms, while too much direct sun can cause leaf discoloration. Aim for about 4-6 hours of bright, indirect light daily. It’s a fantastic indoor trailing plant that adapts well to typical home lighting conditions.

Watering Schedule and Soil Moisture Preferences: Water thoroughly when the top inch or two of the soil feels dry to the touch. Allow excess water to drain completely to prevent root rot, as this plant does not like to sit in soggy soil. Reduce watering slightly during the cooler, darker months of winter. Overwatering is a common issue, so it’s always better to err on the side of slightly underwatering than overwatering. High humidity is also appreciated; consider misting, using a pebble tray, or placing it near a humidifier.

Soil Type and Drainage Requirements: A well-draining potting mix is crucial for the Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant. A good quality indoor potting mix amended with perlite or orchid bark will provide the necessary aeration and drainage. This ensures that the roots do not become waterlogged. Repotting is generally needed every 1-2 years, or when the plant becomes root-bound, typically in spring.

Temperature Range and USDA Hardiness Zone: This tropical plant prefers warm temperatures, ideally between 65°F and 80°F (18°C-27°C). Avoid exposing it to temperatures below 55°F (13°C), as cold drafts can cause damage. As an indoor plant, USDA hardiness zones are less relevant, but generally, it would align with zones 10-11 if grown outdoors in a consistently warm climate. Protect it from sudden temperature fluctuations.

Fertilization Schedule and Type: Feed your Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant every 2-4 weeks during its active growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Reduce or stop fertilization during fall and winter when the plant’s growth slows down. This regular feeding will support healthy foliage and encourage blooming, contributing to the overall vigor of this unique houseplant.

Size & Details

This offering is for one live Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant, nestled in a 2-inch nursery pot. At this size, the plant is young but established, with healthy foliage and a robust root system ready for continued growth in your home. The trailing stems will gradually lengthen, making it an excellent candidate for hanging displays or to gracefully cascade from a shelf. While initial height will be modest, expect its vines to grow several feet long over time, creating a lush, full appearance.

The plant is shipped in its pot, ensuring minimal stress during transit and an easier transition to its new environment. The 2-inch pot size makes it compact and ideal for starting a new collection or adding to an existing display. With proper lipstick plant care, this plant will mature into a significant specimen, providing years of enjoyment with its striking variegated leaves and unique, vibrant flowers. Its growth rate is moderate, allowing you to observe its development over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant is a trailing vine that can reach lengths of several feet when mature. While it starts in a 2-inch pot, its stems will grow long and cascade beautifully, making it perfect for hanging baskets or elevated displays.

• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This plant is shipped in a compact 2-inch nursery pot, providing a healthy start for your new indoor trailing plant. You may choose to repot it into a slightly larger decorative pot after it acclimates to your home.

• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant is primarily grown as an indoor plant in most climates due to its tropical origins. It can be moved outdoors in warm, humid, shaded conditions during summer months, but should be brought inside before temperatures drop.

• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This plant thrives in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct harsh sunlight, which can scorch its leaves. An east or west-facing window is ideal, providing ample light without intense direct exposure, which is crucial for good lipstick plant care.

• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: The Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant is considered moderately easy to care for, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts. Consistent watering and appropriate light are the main considerations for this beautiful unique houseplant.

• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive as a healthy, live specimen, carefully packaged in its 2-inch pot to ensure it reaches you in the best possible condition, ready to thrive in its new home.

• Q: Is it shipped in soil? A: Yes, the plant is shipped in its original nursery pot with soil, ensuring its roots remain undisturbed and hydrated during transit. It is not shipped bare-rooted.

• Q: How long until it blooms? A: With proper lipstick plant care, the Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant can bloom periodically throughout the year, especially during spring and summer. The timing can vary based on light, temperature, and overall plant health.

• Q: Is the Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant pet-safe? A: Good news for pet owners! The Aeschynanthus radicans Black Pagoda is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a safe choice for homes with furry friends.

• Q: What’s the minimum temperature it can tolerate? A: This tropical plant prefers temperatures above 60°F (15°C) and should not be exposed to temperatures below 55°F (13°C) for extended periods, as it can suffer damage from cold.