Curly Lipstick Plant – Red Aeschynanthus Live Plant – 3 Inch Pot – Indoor Houseplant

Overview

Introduce an exciting splash of color and unique texture to your indoor plant collection with the curly lipstick plant, also known as Aeschynanthus radicans ‘Curly’ or red aeschynanthus. This captivating live houseplant is celebrated for its distinctive curled leaves and brilliant, tube-shaped red flowers that emerge from dark, lipstick-like buds, giving it its charming common name. Originating from tropical and subtropical regions, this vine plant is perfectly adapted to indoor environments, making it an excellent choice for adding a lush, exotic feel to any room. Shipped in a convenient 3-inch pot, it’s ready to be displayed on a shelf, in a hanging basket, or as part of a vibrant plant arrangement. Its cascading growth habit and vibrant blooms make it a true showstopper, ideal for both seasoned plant enthusiasts and beginners looking for an eye-catching, relatively low-maintenance addition to their home.

The curly lipstick plant offers year-round interest with its glossy, deep green foliage and the promise of dazzling red flowers. Unlike many other houseplants, its unique leaf structure provides an interesting visual element even when not in bloom. This particular variety, with its curly leaves, adds an extra layer of visual complexity and charm. It’s a fantastic choice for anyone seeking to enhance their living space with a plant that is both beautiful and manageable, bringing a slice of the tropics right into your home. The red aeschynanthus is a true gem among indoor plants, promising to brighten your day with its vibrant presence.

Key Benefits

The curly lipstick plant isn’t just beautiful; it also offers a range of benefits that make it a favorite among indoor gardeners. Its striking appearance and relatively easy care requirements contribute to a more enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing home environment.

• Stunning Visual Appeal: The unique curly foliage of this red aeschynanthus combined with its bright red, tubular flowers creates a captivating display. It’s perfect for adding a pop of color and an exotic touch to any room, particularly when cascading from hanging baskets or shelves.
• Air Purification: Like many houseplants, the curly lipstick plant contributes to healthier indoor air by absorbing common household toxins and releasing oxygen, promoting a fresher and more pleasant atmosphere.
• Easy to Care For: Despite its exotic appearance, the lipstick plant care routine is straightforward, making it suitable for both novice and experienced plant owners. It adapts well to typical indoor conditions and doesn’t demand constant attention.
• Versatile Decor: Its trailing growth habit makes it incredibly versatile for decorating. Place it on high shelves, in macrame hangers, or on windowsills where its foliage and flowers can gracefully drape, enhancing vertical spaces.
• Long Blooming Period: With proper care, the red aeschynanthus can bloom for extended periods, offering continuous enjoyment of its vibrant red flowers, which are a delightful contrast to its green leaves.
• Compact Size: Shipped in a 3-inch pot, this plant is an ideal size for starting small or for adding to existing plant arrangements without taking up too much space. It’s perfect for desks, small tables, or as an accent piece.
• Engaging Growth Habit: Observing the development of the ‘lipstick’ buds and their eventual bloom into bright red flowers is a rewarding experience, providing a dynamic element to your indoor garden. This indoor vine plant truly offers a unique growth pattern.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your curly lipstick plant, or red aeschynanthus, is a rewarding experience that requires understanding its specific needs to ensure vibrant growth and abundant blooms. This tropical beauty thrives in conditions that mimic its natural habitat, emphasizing bright, indirect light and consistent moisture. Providing the right environment will ensure your plant flourishes and produces its signature red flowers.

For sunlight exposure, the curly lipstick plant prefers bright, indirect light. A north or east-facing window is often ideal, providing plenty of light without the harsh intensity of direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaves. If placed in a south or west-facing window, ensure it’s set back a few feet or protected by a sheer curtain. Insufficient light can lead to leggy growth and a lack of flowering. When it comes to watering, consistency is key. Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can cause leaves to shrivel. During the cooler months, reduce watering frequency as the plant’s growth slows. The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 65°F and 85°F (18°C-29°C). Avoid exposing it to temperatures below 50°F (10°C) or sudden temperature fluctuations. The plant is best suited for indoor environments and can thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a to 11b if grown outdoors in a protected, warm climate.

A well-draining potting mix is crucial for the health of your curly lipstick plant. A mix formulated for orchids or a general houseplant mix amended with perlite or orchid bark works well to ensure proper drainage and aeration. Fertilize every 2-4 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Reduce or stop fertilizing during fall and winter. Common problems include leaf drop due to inconsistent watering or temperature stress, and lack of blooms, often caused by insufficient light or nutrients. Regularly inspect your plant for pests like aphids or mealybugs, and treat promptly with insecticidal soap if necessary. The lipstick plant care routine is quite manageable, and with a little attention, you’ll enjoy its beauty for years to come. For optimal growth, consider providing extra humidity, especially in dry indoor environments, by misting the foliage or placing the pot on a pebble tray with water.

Size & Details

This offering is for one live curly lipstick plant, featuring vibrant red blooms and unique curly foliage, delivered in a 3-inch nursery pot. The plant’s current dimensions are approximately 8 x 4 x 5 inches, providing a compact yet established specimen ready to flourish in your home. It typically ships as a healthy, actively growing young plant with several stems and developing leaves, ready to begin its cascading growth. While individual plant sizes may vary slightly due to natural growth, you can expect a well-rooted and robust specimen. The red aeschynanthus is known for its moderate growth rate, and with proper care, its trailing stems can reach lengths of 1 to 3 feet, creating a beautiful display as an indoor vine plant. Expect the plant to establish itself quickly in its new environment, with new growth and potential blooms appearing within weeks or months, depending on the season and care provided. It’s a fantastic starter plant for an indoor garden or a charming addition to an existing collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this curly lipstick plant get? A: This curly lipstick plant is shipped in a 3-inch pot. With proper care, its trailing vines can grow to be 1 to 3 feet long, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or elevated displays.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The red aeschynanthus is primarily grown as an indoor houseplant due to its tropical origins. It thrives in typical indoor temperatures and humidity, though it can be moved outdoors to a shaded area during warm summer months in suitable climates.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This plant prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct, harsh sunlight which can scorch its leaves. An east or north-facing window is often ideal, or a spot a few feet away from a south or west-facing window.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the curly lipstick plant is considered relatively easy to care for, making it suitable for beginners. Consistent watering, bright indirect light, and moderate humidity are key to successful lipstick plant care.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your curly lipstick plant will arrive as a healthy, live plant in its 3-inch nursery pot, carefully packaged to ensure its safe journey to your home. It will be ready for immediate display or repotting if desired.
• Q: When is the best time to plant or repot this plant? A: Since it’s an indoor plant, it can be planted or repotted at any time of year. However, spring and early summer are generally preferred as the plant is actively growing and can recover more easily from the transition.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature this plant can tolerate? A: The red aeschynanthus is sensitive to cold. It should not be exposed to temperatures below 50°F (10°C). It thrives in warmer indoor environments, typically between 65°F and 85°F (18°C-29°C).
• Q: What kind of soil is best for a curly lipstick plant? A: A well-draining potting mix is essential. A mix designed for orchids or a general houseplant mix amended with perlite or orchid bark will provide the necessary drainage and aeration for healthy root growth.
• Q: How often should I water my indoor vine plant? A: Water your indoor vine plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. It prefers consistently moist, but not soggy, soil. Adjust frequency based on your home’s humidity and light conditions.
• Q: Is the aeschynanthus radicans pet-safe? A: The aeschynanthus radicans (lipstick plant) is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a safer choice for households with pets. However, it’s always best to prevent pets from ingesting plant material.