Aeschynanthus radicans 'Curly Q' (Twisted lipstick plant) care

Light

Aeschynanthus radicans 'Curly Q' is what florists mean by "bright spot, no direct sun" — close enough to a south or east window to feel the brightness, with a sheer curtain or a few feet of distance keeping the sun off the leaves. Bright indirect light drives flowering; some gentle morning sun is fine. Too little light means few or no blooms, while hot direct sun scorches the foliage. A phone lux-meter at the leaf surface should read 1,500-3,000 lux at noon.

Watering

Water aeschynanthus radicans 'curly q' when the top 2-3 cm of mix is dry, roughly every 7-10 days. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Water thoroughly then let the surface dry slightly; as an epiphyte it resents constantly wet roots. Reduce watering in winter but never let it bone-dry.

Soil and pot

Aeschynanthus radicans 'Curly Q' grows best in light, airy, free-draining epiphytic mix. Use a chunky blend such as peat or coir with bark, perlite and a little sphagnum, mimicking its life perched on branches and preventing soggy roots. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Aeschynanthus radicans 'Curly Q' sits happiest at around 50-60% humidity and 18-27°C (64-81°F). Prefers moderate to high humidity; tolerates average rooms but flowers and foliage are best with a pebble tray, humidifier or a humid spot like a bright bathroom. If you keep the room above 18 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed aeschynanthus radicans 'curly q' sparingly. Feed a balanced or bloom-boosting liquid fertiliser at half strength every 2-4 weeks in spring and summer to support flowering; ease off in winter. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on aeschynanthus radicans 'curly q' in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Few or no flowers — Usually too little light or over-rich nitrogen feeding; give bright indirect light, a slightly cooler winter rest and a bloom-supporting feed to trigger flowering.
• Leaf drop — Often a response to cold draughts, sudden temperature swings or letting the mix dry out fully; keep it warm, draught-free and evenly cared for.
• Yellowing leaves / root rot — Overwatering or a dense, water-retentive mix suffocates the roots; use an airy epiphytic blend and let the surface dry between waterings.
• Leggy, bare stems — Age and low light cause sparse growth; prune after flowering to encourage branching and bushier, more floriferous trails.

Propagation

Root 8-10 cm stem-tip cuttings in moist airy mix or water; bottom warmth and humidity speed rooting, and pinching encourages a fuller plant. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Aeschynanthus radicans 'Curly Q' is pet-safe. ASPCA-listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs (lipstick plant, Aeschynanthus). No recognised toxic principle, though it is not meant for consumption and large amounts could cause minor stomach upset. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Aeschynanthus radicans 'Curly Q' deep-dive guides

Every aspect of aeschynanthus radicans 'curly q' care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Aeschynanthus radicans 'Curly Q' watering schedule
• Aeschynanthus radicans 'Curly Q' light requirements
• Best soil mix for aeschynanthus radicans 'curly q'
• Aeschynanthus radicans 'Curly Q' fertilizing guide
• When to repot aeschynanthus radicans 'curly q'
• How to propagate aeschynanthus radicans 'curly q'
• Aeschynanthus radicans 'Curly Q' growth rate & size
• Aeschynanthus radicans 'Curly Q' cold hardiness
• Aeschynanthus radicans 'Curly Q' temperature & humidity
• Is aeschynanthus radicans 'curly q' toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is aeschynanthus radicans 'curly q' toxic to cats?
• Is aeschynanthus radicans 'curly q' toxic to dogs?
• Getting aeschynanthus radicans 'curly q' to bloom

Featured in these plant shortlists

Aeschynanthus radicans 'Curly Q' qualifies for 10 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best pet-safe houseplants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — every one verified against the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.
• Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
• Best trailing & climbing houseplants — Vining and trailing houseplants for shelves, hanging pots, and moss poles — selected by growth habit.
• Best humidity-loving houseplants — Houseplants that thrive in a bathroom, kitchen, or by a humidifier — selected by documented humidity preference.
• Best flowering houseplants — Indoor plants grown for their blooms — selected from the flowering species in Growli’s plant-care library.
• Best pet-safe trailing & hanging plants — Trailing and climbing plants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — safe for shelves and hanging pots in a pet home.
• Best pet-safe flowering plants — Flowering houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — colour and blooms in a pet home, without the worry.
• Best pet-safe plants for bright light — Non-toxic to cats and dogs and happy in a bright, sunny spot — safe plants for your best-lit windowsill.
• Best cat-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats (and dogs) — safe greenery for a home with a curious cat.
• Best dog-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to dogs (and cats) — safe greenery for a home with a curious dog.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

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Aeschynanthus radicans 'Curly Q' is also commonly called Twisted lipstick plant.

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