A Perfect Lipstick Care Guide for the Best Health of the Plant

Lipstick plants often face common issues like reduced flowering, leaf drop, and pest infestations. But you can avoid these problems by maintaining humidity levels, indirect sunlight, and using proper pest control sprays. 

If you are looking to learn about a complete care guide to protect and nurture your plant in a safe environment, this article is all you need. We’ll run you through simple and easy-to-follow requirements to make it thrive for a longer duration. Let’s get to it.

Lipstick Plant Quick Care Guide

1. Bright, indirect light to keep leaves green and flowers blooming.
2. Water when the top inch of soil is dry; never let it sit in water.
3. Use a well-draining mix with perlite or orchid bark.
4. Keep between 18–27 °C and away from cold drafts.
5. Prefers 50%+ humidity; mist or use a pebble tray if air is dry.
6. Feed monthly during growing season with diluted liquid fertilizer.
7. Trim after flowering to promote more blooms and a fuller shape.

Part 1: Quick Interesting Facts of Lipstick Plant Care Guide

A quick overview of the fun and interesting Facts about Lipstick Plant care guide to have a better understanding.

Features	Details
Scientific Name	Aeschynanthus radicans
Native Region	Tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia
Description	Bright red tubular flowers with dark maroon base resembling lipstick
Purifies Air	Yes, it filters indoor air
Best Placement	Shelf edges, hanging baskets, plant stands
Canadian Hardiness	Not frost-tolerant; keep indoors year-round
Ideal Temperature	18°C to 26°C (65°F to 78°F)
Humidity Needs	50–60% or higher
Toxicity	Mildly toxic if ingested
Pest Resistance	Naturally pest-resistant

Part 2: Requirements of Lipstick Plant Care in Canada

Lipstick plants need warmth and humidity, and Canadian homes are often not that warm. Therefore, this guide offers useful seasonal adjustments and  tips to help you take care of your plant:

This simple guide is perfect for beginners. Learn how to properly water, position, and care for your house plants to help them grow strong and healthy, with easy tips that anyone can follow.

Light Requirements

Bright and indirect sunlight is essential for lipstick plants to thrive in Canada especially in Summers and Spring. Therefore, place it near the window facing south for best growth. But in winter, make sure to place it near a window facing north for light, or use a max spectrum light for 6-8 hours due to short days and not enough light. 

Too much light can burn the leaves of the plant, and insufficient light can reduce the chances of new flowers blooming. Ensure that the plant doesn’t touch the glass, as it may cause pest issues and leaf burn. 

Not all plants require the same light. This guide helps you understand the light needs of your plants and how to place them for optimal growth.

Temperature Requirements

The optimal temperature range for lipstick plants ranges between 18°C and 26°C (65°F to 78°F). For better care of your plant, it is advised to avoid heaters, drafts, and window sills, especially in the winter season. A stable, warm environment is suitable for lipstick plant growth.

Water Requirements for Lipstick Plant

Lipstick plants require water when you observe the top inch or two of soil seems dry, and make sure the pot is well-drained. 

Watering Schedule Chart According to Canadian Seasons

The following chart for the lipstick plant watering schedule will help. 

Humidity Requirements

This tropical plant needs moderate to high humidity levels for better growth. The required humidity level is between 50 to 60% or above. 

A pebble tray is recommended beneath the plant to retain moisture. You can also keep it with other plants in the house to gain moisture. Mist the plant occasionally, or you can add a humidifier to your house. 

In winters, the dryness within the house increases and humidity drops, which may result in bud drop, leaf curl, and dull foliage of the plant. 

What type of Soil is used for Potting?

The soil recommended for lipstick plants should be well-drained. The soil must hold moisture and not become soggy. Keep the consistent light and the ideal mixture of soil that contains:

• 1 part of perlite
• 1 part of peat moss or 1 part of coco coir 
• 1 part of coarse sand or 1 part of orchid bark

How to Pot Your Plant?

Now let’s talk about the ideal pot required for lipstick plants. 

• The pot should have a good drainage hole at the bottom for the water to flow and to retain maximum moisture
• Report your lipstick plant when it is root-bound or ideally after every 3 years

Repotting plant is essential for healthy growth. This step-by-step guide teaches you the best practices for repotting your plants and ensuring their long-term health.

Advice: Do not keep the soil soggy. If you see it is soggy, please wait for a day or two.

How to Fertilize a Lipstick Plant?

The lipstick plants benefit from fertilization, particularly during their active growing season (Spring and summer). The following care tips are designed especially for Canadian natives to fertilize the plant appropriately. 

 

• Fertilization nature: A liquid fertilizer is preferred, with a formulation of 20-20-20 or a household blend would work
• Frequency to fertilize the plant: Set the feed schedule every 2-3 weeks in the Spring and Summer season, while in Winter and Fall, feed once a month or stop feeding completely
• Over and under fertilization: Over-fertilization is not good for such indoor plants. It can lead to excessive salt build-up and the tip burn of leaves
• Cautions: Flush the soil with plain water after every 3 months

Part 3: Pruning and Propagation of Lipstick Plant

Prune your plant by trimming almost ⅓ of the long vines after the blooming season. Pruning is recommended after Spring when the flowers bloom completely. Lipstick plants grow bushier and thicker after pruning. Pruning also removes the hanging loose stems and dead leaves.

Propagation

Take cuttings of 4-6 inches from the healthy stems of lipstick plants, followed by dipping them in rooting hormone. Then place the root in moist soil. With pruning, the flower growth multiplies and fills the surrounding area. 

Part 4: Common Issues with Lipstick Plant and How to Tackle Them

Even with proper care and watering schedules, the issues with lipstick plants may still pop up. So we are here with the common issues and their solutions to help you out.

Struggling with plant care issues? This guide answers common questions related to indoor plants, including how to prevent pests and diseases, the best watering techniques, and how to handle leaf problems.

How to Fix These Issues

Here is how you can fix the common issues of the lipstick plant;

Winter can be tough on plants. This guide explains how to adjust your plant care routine during colder months, with tips on lighting, watering, and temperature to ensure your plants stay healthy all year.

Part 5: Pest Infestation and Control of Lipstick Shade Plant

When the leaves start falling off and accumulate at the bottom of the plant, pest infestation may start due to the mix of humidity and other surviving elements of pests. Lipstick plants are basically pest-resistant, but still, there are some pests that could attack. 

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Here is how you can identify these pests:

• Aphids (Small-sized black or green colored insects usually found on new growth)
• Spider mites (These spiders can cause discoloration of the leaves and create webbing all over the plant)
• Scale (These are the shell-shaped bumps found on the surface of the stems. Their color is brown)
• Mealy bugs (These are the clusters of cotton found near stems)

How to Control Pests

Now let’s talk about pest control. These pests are rare, but if you inspect them on your plant, follow these simple home remedies for control. 

• Isolate or keep the infected plant away from other plants to avoid the spread
• Use an anti-insecticidal soap or a neem oil solution to wipe the plant stems and leaves
• Use alcohol to wipe the leaves and stems for mealybugs. You can dip a cotton swab in alcohol or simply brush it
• You can also use Bios Diatomaceous Earth Ultimate Pesticide to protect your plant from pests

Pests can damage your plants, but with the right care, you can manage them. Learn how to identify and get rid of common plant pests like mealy bugs and aphids.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average lifespan of a lipstick plant?

The average lifespan of a lipstick plant is 5 to 10 years, and if proper care is provided, it could last more than 10 years. 

How can I boost my lipstick plant's blooming?

Keep your plant away from direct light and do proper feeding in the recommended time frame of the year. 

Is the lipstick plant safe for my pets?

Yes, the Lipstick plant is safe, but it could cause nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting if ingested. Keep your pets and children away from the plants. 

Summary

In summary, according to the lipstick plant care guide, humidity, indirect light, and well-drained soil are required. The optimum temperature ranges between 18°C and 26°C (65°F to 78°F). The required humidity level is between 50 to 60% or above.

Lipstick plants require water when you observe the top inch or two of soil seems dry, and make sure the pot is well-drained. The lipstick plants benefit from fertilization, particularly during their active growing season. For pest control, isolate your plant or wipe it with an alcohol swab, insecticide, or pesticide spray. If you still don’t own a lipstick plant, you can get one from Mygreenscape.