Repotting guide

When & how to repot Aeschynanthus tricolor (Aeschynanthus tricolor)

Also called tricolor lipstick plant, three-colour aeschynanthus.

More about aeschynanthus tricolor

About Aeschynanthus tricolor

Aeschynanthus tricolor · also called tricolor lipstick plant, three-colour aeschynanthus · flowering

Aeschynanthus tricolor is a trailing Bornean lipstick plant in the gesneriad family, grown for striking tubular red flowers marked with yellow and dark maroon-black stripes. A warm-growing epiphyte, it thrives in bright indirect light, high humidity, and a fast-draining mix, cascading beautifully from a hanging basket. Crucially, the whole Aeschynanthus genus is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Mature size: Stems trail to 45-60 cm or more, spreading to around 30-45 cm.

Watch for — No flowers: Too little light or over-feeding with high nitrogen. Give brighter indirect light and a balanced or bloom feed; a slightly snug pot also encourages blooming.

How to tell aeschynanthus tricolor needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For aeschynanthus tricolor, watch for these signs:

Roots spiralling thickly out of the drainage holes or pushing the whole plant up out of the pot.
The pot is so packed that water runs straight through in seconds and barely wets the soil.
It has split a plastic pot, or the rootball is a solid mass with almost no soil left when you slide it out.
Growth and (for aeschynanthus tricolor) flowering have clearly stalled despite good light and feeding — but remember this plant likes being snug, so a little crowding alone is not a reason to repot.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot aeschynanthus tricolor

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Aeschynanthus tricolor is one of the plants that genuinely prefers a snug pot — it grows and flowers better with its roots a little restricted, so resist the urge to repot it on schedule. Trailing/pendent epiphyte with cascading stems of waxy leaves, well suited to hanging baskets; tubular flowers emerge from dark calyces at the shoot tips..

What size pot to step aeschynanthus tricolor up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Aeschynanthus tricolor positively prefers a snug pot: it flowers and grows better when the roots are a little restricted. The single biggest repotting mistake here is over-potting — dropping aeschynanthus tricolor into a pot two or three sizes up. All that surplus soil holds water the small root system cannot use, stays cold and wet, and rots the roots within weeks. When in doubt, choose the smaller pot.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot aeschynanthus tricolor

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for aeschynanthus tricolor. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting aeschynanthus tricolor

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide aeschynanthus tricolor out and check the roots. Only continue if it is genuinely packed — this plant prefers a snug pot, so if there is still soil and room, put it straight back.
Pick a pot only one size up. Choose a pot just 2–3 cm wider with good drainage. Resist anything bigger; over-potting is the main killer here.
Ease it out gently. Water lightly the day before, then tip aeschynanthus tricolor out, supporting the base. Tease the outer roots free only enough to stop them circling.
Repot at the same depth. Add a layer of fresh light, free-draining epiphytic mix, set the plant so the soil line sits exactly where it did before, and backfill around the sides, firming lightly.
Settle it in. Water once to settle the soil, then let it sit. Hold off on more water until the top of the soil dries — fresh soil around a small root system stays wet for a while.

Aftercare

Because the new soil holds more water than the old crammed rootball did, ease right back on watering — let the top of the soil dry before you water aeschynanthus tricolor again, or you will rot the roots in the very pot you just moved it to. Keep it out of harsh direct sun for a fortnight. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for aeschynanthus tricolor

Aeschynanthus tricolor wants light, free-draining epiphytic mix. Use an airy, peat-free blend of coir or orchid bark with perlite, like a coarse houseplant or orchid mix. Good drainage and aeration around the roots prevent the rot this epiphyte is prone to in dense soil. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting aeschynanthus tricolor — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot aeschynanthus tricolor?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for aeschynanthus tricolor. Only repot aeschynanthus tricolor every 2–4 years, and only when it is genuinely root-bound — it flowers and grows best slightly crowded. Step up just one pot size in spring using light, free-draining epiphytic mix. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does aeschynanthus tricolor need?

When is the best time of year to repot aeschynanthus tricolor?

Does aeschynanthus tricolor like to be root-bound?

Yes — aeschynanthus tricolor genuinely flowers and grows best when slightly pot-bound, so do not rush to repot it. The mistake to avoid is over-potting into a much larger pot: the excess soil stays wet, the roots cannot use it, and the plant rots. Only repot every few years and only one snug size up.

Should you fertilise aeschynanthus tricolor after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting aeschynanthus tricolor. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.