Lipstick Vine (Lipstick Plant) care

Light

Lipstick Vine 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. Thrives in bright, indirect light that replicates dappled rainforest canopy; too little light prevents flowering, while direct sun scorches the waxy leaves. A phone lux-meter at the leaf surface should read 1,500-3,000 lux at noon.

Watering

Water lipstick vine when top 2–3 cm of compost feel dry. 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 allow the top layer to dry before rewatering; reduce frequency in winter but never let the compost dry out completely, and always use water at room temperature.

Soil and pot

Lipstick Vine grows best in light, free-draining epiphytic mix. A mix of peat-free compost, coarse perlite, and fine orchid bark (1:1:1) provides the excellent drainage and aeration this epiphyte needs; avoid heavy, moisture-retaining mixes. 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

Lipstick Vine sits happiest at around 60–80% humidity and 18–27°C (65–80°F). High humidity is essential; mist foliage during the daytime so leaves dry before nightfall, use a pebble tray, or run a humidifier — stagnant moist air encourages Botrytis. If you keep the room above 18–27°C 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 lipstick vine sparingly. Feed every two weeks with a high-potassium liquid fertiliser (such as tomato feed) from spring through late summer to encourage flowering; reduce to monthly 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 lipstick vine in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Botrytis grey mould — Grey fuzzy mould develops on stems and flowers in cool, humid, poorly ventilated conditions; mist only in the morning, improve airflow, and remove affected tissue immediately.
• Root rot from overwatering — Wilting and yellowing despite moist soil indicates root rot; repot into fresh, well-draining mix after trimming all blackened roots, and allow the potting medium to partly dry between waterings.

Propagation

Stem-tip cuttings of 10–12 cm rooted in a peat-free propagating mix at 22–25°C with bottom heat and high humidity; roots typically form in 3–4 weeks. 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

Lipstick Vine is pet-safe. ASPCA lists Aeschynanthus (lipstick plant, Aeschynanthus humilis and related species) as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses; ingestion may cause minor gastrointestinal irritation. 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.

Lipstick Vine deep-dive guides

Every aspect of lipstick vine care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Common lipstick vine problems & fixes
• Lipstick Vine watering schedule
• Lipstick Vine light requirements
• Best soil mix for lipstick vine
• Lipstick Vine fertilizing guide
• When to repot lipstick vine
• How to propagate lipstick vine
• How to prune lipstick vine
• What's eating my lipstick vine?
• Lipstick Vine growth rate & size
• Lipstick Vine cold hardiness
• Lipstick Vine temperature & humidity
• Is lipstick vine toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is lipstick vine toxic to cats?
• Is lipstick vine toxic to dogs?
• All 22 Aeschynanthus varieties

Featured in these plant shortlists

Lipstick Vine qualifies for 9 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 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 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 fast-growing houseplants — Houseplants documented as fast or vigorous growers — quick to fill a pot, cover a pole or trail down a shelf.
• 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

Related guides

Lipstick Vine is also known as Lipstick Vine, Lipstick Plant, and Basket Vine.

• Tahitian Gardenia care — light, water and common problems
• Savanna Gardenia care — light, water and common problems
• Medinilla care — light, water and common problems
• All 10153 plant care guides in the Growli library