Lipstick Plant

Lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus) is a colorful long blooming plant that typically blooms for me in the winter. Their relatives are the other Gesneraids. Mine are in full bloom now. They do need lots of bright light to get a good bloom set, but this can be accomplished with a bright window. You don't need a greenhouse. The name lipstick plant comes from the shape of the buds as the flower develops. It should be kept moist all the time, but not wet. Dropping leaves is a sign the plant is too dry. Lipstick plants bloom best when they are pot bound. They root easily and do best in a hanging pot as the stems tend to droop. Pinching the stems as they grow will produce a fuller plant; otherwise the single stems just keep getting longer.

Streptocarpus 'Galaxy'

This is Streptocarpus 'Galaxy'. The genus Streptocarpus  is native to Africa and Madagascar, but the one pictured here is a hybrid. In fact, the genus has many beautiful hybrids and more come on line every year. Streptocarpus means twisted seed. It is a member of the Gesneriads whose other famous members include African violets. These are great houseplants, blooming almost all the time unless they become pot bound, a condition easily remedied. I like them because they bloom in winter . They do best with a little more light than African violets, but a little less warmth. Full sun will scorch the leaves and our hot summers make them struggle. That's why I keep mine inside in air conditioning. They are easily propagated from leaf segments and in 3 or 4 months it will produce a nice flowering plant. They should be watered only when they are dry as sitting in water will spell certain death. I seldom see them for sale in the stores, but occasionally I have gotten them from Southern Homes in Wetumpka. They are easy to find online and won't break the bank to get a nice selection. Their name is frequently shortened to "Strep".