Lipstick vine is a tropical, evergreen herbaceous perennial native to southern China and Indo-China. Plants of this genus are trailing and creeping epiphytes living in damp forests, rooted in the moss and debris that accumulates on the branches of trees. It is a member of the gloxinia family (Gesneriaceae). The species epithet is Latin for “low-growing.” Lipstick vine requires good lighting and semi-moist, well-drained potting mix. It prefers warm, humid conditions but with air circulation. Place it in a south or west facing window but avoid direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves. The plant does well under artificial light. An environment of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 10 to 15 degrees warmer during the day is adequate for this plant. Water regularly, especially if growing the plant in a hanging basket, but let the soil become slightly dry between watering. After the plant flowers, prune the stems back to a height of 6 inches or so to encourage new growth. In winter, keep the plant cooler and drier to encourage flower bud formation in the spring. When the plant is resting, the temperature should be 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Lipstick vine is prized for its glossy, waxy foliage and its colorful flowers. The buds emerge from a dark maroon tubular calyx, like the way lipstick emerges from its case. This species has shorter stems than many other species in the genus. They do not trail too long and are easier to manage in a pot. This plant can be propagated from stem cuttings. Lipstick vine is attractive without flowers, but it is a knockout when it blooms. It can be grown in a pot or hanging basket. Like many houseplants, it can spend the summer months outside. Place it in dappled or partial shade, under a tree or pergola. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Other than the problems common to indoor plants, lipstick vine has no known disease or insect issues. Drafts or improper watering can cause the lower leaves to drop.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 8 in. | Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite; Whorled
Leaf shape
Oblanceolate; Spatulate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leaves are 1 1/2 to 3 inches long, 1/2 to 1 inch wide, and present in whorls of 3 off of a petiole about 1/16 inch long. The upper surface of the leaf is smooth, the under surface of the leaf is hairy. The lateral veins in the leaf are invisible. Leaves may in whorls or opposite.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Bright red to orange/yellow flowers bloom at the leaf tips of the plant. The sepals at the base of the flower are tinged red-purple and are 5-lobed to the middle of the 'tube'. The anthers and filaments of the stamen are in pairs at the apex. The pistil extends 1/2 to 1 1/4 inches from the base of the flower. When grown in the proper conditions, the lipstick plant flowers create a dramatic display.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green
Stem detail
Hairy to smooth. Psuedo terminal buds.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
China, Indo-China
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Hanging Baskets; Houseplants
Landscape theme
Asian Garden
Garden tags
#houseplant #tropical vine #interiorscape #non-toxic for cats #non-toxic for horses #non-toxic for dogs #container plant #ornamental vine #long bloom time #flowering vine #tropical herbaceous perennial #tropical