Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus)

 

I have several Aeschynanthus (lipstick plants) blooming in the greenhouse right now. Once they start, they bloom for a long time. Lipstick plant is a red flowering vine  that originated in Malaysia . It needs to be trimmed back to about six inches from the soil about once a year . This is not a plant that does much branching so the trimming keeps the plant from having extremely long unbranched pieces, which would look beautiful in front of a long window, but few of us have that kind of display background. So do what I say, not what I do, and trim after blooming.
The plant blooms from the tips and after bloom finishes, these tips can be easily rooted.
 Be careful not to overwater. This is a plant that lives on rocks and in tree crotches in its natural environment, and lipstick cannot stand standing water. Use well drained potting media, and a hanging basket best accommodates the growth habit of this plant.
 Aeschynanthus will draw "Ooo's" from all who see it.

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.