Lipstick plant

Growing in Pots, Balconies & Indoors

The lipstick plant is a classic houseplant – the grower confirms it grows well indoors – and this trailing epiphyte (stems 40-80 cm / 16-32 in) is made for hanging baskets in bright, indirect light. It suits shaded balconies and patios too, but never full, harsh sun.

Quick Details

• Container Size: A hanging basket or pot of about 3-8 L (1-2 gal) suits its shallow roots
• Indoor Suitability: An excellent houseplant for bright, indirect light
• Best Spot: Part to full shade with plenty of ambient light; no direct midday sun
• Soil & Drainage: Light, very free-draining, airy epiphyte-style mix
• Watering in Pots: Keep lightly moist in growth; let the top dry a little between – it dislikes soggy roots

Indoors & On the Windowsill

• A true houseplant: Thrives indoors in bright, indirect light – an east or west window, or a well-lit spot back from a south window, is ideal. It enjoys warmth and humidity.
• Windowsill / basket: Best grown as a trailing plant in a hanging basket; the cascading stems show off the tubular flowers.
• Humidity: As a tropical epiphyte it appreciates a humid corner – a bathroom or kitchen window suits it well.

On a Balcony or Patio

• Light & wind: A shaded, sheltered balcony is ideal; keep it out of direct sun, which scorches the leaves, and out of drying wind.
• Practicalities: Bring it indoors in cool weather – it is tender and dislikes cold draughts.

Choosing the Pot, Soil & Long-Term Care

• Pot & drainage: A small 3-8 L pot or basket with strong drainage holes; skip a standing-water saucer to avoid root rot.
• Potting mix: A light, aerated, organic-rich mix – potting compost or peat/coir with added perlite or vermiculite for drainage. An airy, open mix (add orchid bark or extra perlite) mimics its natural epiphytic roots.
• Feeding: Nutrients wash out of pots faster than open ground, so feed potted the lipstick plant more often – a balanced liquid feed through the active growing season.
• Repotting: Refresh the top layer of mix each year and renew it or pot up every couple of years; lightly trim the roots and top growth when you do.

Bloom & Flower Guide

Quick Details

• Bloom Season: Mainly autumn into winter, with occasional flushes at other times in warm rooms
• Flower Appearance: Tubular, lipstick-like flowers in red, orange, pink or yellow, pushing from darker calyces in clusters
• Edibility: Ornamental houseplant — not eaten, and not known to be toxic

Detailed Blooming Overview

The lipstick plant is grown for exactly one thing: those waxy tubular flowers that emerge from a dark bud like a lipstick from its case. As an epiphyte it flowers best when a little pot-bound and given bright, indirect light, with the main flush coming in the cooler months.

Flower Characteristics

• Tubular, cone-shaped flowers in red, orange, pink or yellow, clustered at the stem tips; glossy oval leaves grow in two ranks.

Bloom Care & Thinning

• Encouraging bloom: Bright indirect light, steady humidity and a slightly cool rest period encourage budding.
• Protecting the buds: Avoid moving the plant once buds set — sudden changes in light or temperature cause bud drop.

Bloom Health & Protection

• Aphids on buds: Aphids sometimes attack the soft buds; insecticidal soap or neem oil helps.