My Lipstick Plant Does Not Bloom

Lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) is valued for its lush green foliage and the bright orange or red blooms that resemble a tube of colorful lipstick. With adequate water, humidity, sunlight and nutrition, the plant should bloom off and on throughout the year.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Pebbles or marbles
• Tray or shallow bowl
• Liquid fertilizer for indoor plants

1. Place the lipstick plant in bright light, but avoid direct light and hot, sunny windows, which can prevent the lipstick plant from blooming.
2. Water the lipstick plant regularly during the growing season, and keep the soil consistently moist. Water sparingly during the winter months, just enough to keep the soil from becoming bone dry.
3. Place the lipstick plant on a humidity tray to increase humidity around the plant. Arrange a single layer of pebbles or marbles in a tray or shallow bowl, and then place the pot on the tray. Keep the pebbles or marbles wet, but don’t add enough water to touch the bottom of the pot. Lipstick plants prefer a humid atmosphere and may bloom better as a result.
4. Repot the lipstick plant every two to three years to keep the plant healthy and prevent the roots from becoming overcrowded. Move the plant to a container with a drainage hole. The size should be only about 2 inches wider than the plant’s current container. Fill the container with any good quality commercial potting soil.
5. Feed the lipstick plant every other week during spring and summer, as your plant requires nutrients to produce blooms. Use any good quality liquid fertilizer for indoor plants, applied according to the label recommendations. Decrease fertilizing to once monthly during autumn and winter.
6. Keep the lipstick plant in a warm room, as chilling will prevent blooming. The best temperatures are between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Never expose your lipstick plant to temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.