Lipstick Plant
Aeschynanthus — The Trailing Red-Flowered Vine
Light
Medium to bright indirect — needs good light to trigger flowering. East or west-facing windows are ideal; north-facing may produce foliage but few flowers. Avoid direct midday sun which scorches the leaves.
Water
Slightly drier conditions in winter encourage spring blooming. Overwatering causes leaf drop and root rot; mushy black stems are a sign of too much water.
Humidity
Prefers moderate to high humidity. Leaf edges brown in dry winter heating.
Temperature
18–27°C (65–80°F). Keep away from cold drafts and heating vents.
Difficulty
Moderate
Sizes
Tabletop · Mid-floor · Floor specimen
Lipstick plant, genus Aeschynanthus, is a trailing plant with pairs of glossy, waxy dark green leaves and tubular red flowers that emerge from dark calyxes at the stem tips — the lipstick effect the name describes. It blooms most heavily in spring and summer.
In the Office
It needs medium to bright indirect light to flower well; east- or west-facing windows work best, and north-facing spots may produce foliage with few blooms. Direct midday sun scorches the leaves, so bright indirect is the target rather than a sunny windowsill. It's pet-friendly, which opens it up to reception and waiting areas without added caution.
Why Choose This Plant
Benefits for Your Office
- Pet-friendly, with no toxicity concerns for offices with animals onsite
- Distinctive red tubular flowers give a pop of colour most office foliage doesn't offer
- Trailing stems suit hanging baskets and elevated shelving
- Blooms most heavily in spring and summer, so the space visibly changes with the seasons
Where to Place It
Office Placement Ideas
- 1
East- or west-facing windows — these give the best light for reliable flowering
- 2
Hanging baskets or elevated shelving — trailing stems show off best above eye level
- 3
Reception or waiting areas where a pet-friendly, flowering plant is wanted
How to Care for It
Care Tips for Office Environments
- Prune back leggy stems after flowering to encourage branching and new bloom sites
- Watch for mushy black stems — a sign of overwatering that causes leaf drop and root rot
- Keep good air circulation in cool, humid conditions to prevent grey mould (botrytis)
- Check leaf axils along the stems for mealybugs
Want Lipstick Plant in your office?
Our team will recommend the right variety and size for your space, deliver and install it, and keep it thriving with ongoing care.