Want to add a Twisted Lipstick Plant to your houseplant collection? They are beautiful and easy to care for! Here's my complete Twisted Lipstick Plant care guide!
I am always shopping for lush, interesting plants and I love plants with uniquely shaped leaves. So, I was drawn to the curling leaves on the twisted lipstick plant! It reminds me a bit of a hurricane fern, but in vine form.
Growing lipstick plants is super easy and they make a great beginner level houseplant. Let's dive into the complete care guide for these gorgeous plants!
What is Twisted Lipstick Plant?
The twisted lipstick plant is a trailing plant with curling green leaves and bright red blooms that look like a tube of lipstick. The branches can grow to be two feet long, which makes them great for hanging baskets.
Other names for Twisted Lipstick Plant include:
- Aeschynanthus Radicans
- Twister lipstick plant
- Curly lipstick plant
- Curly Q lipstick plant
- Lipstick plant
- Lipstick vine
- Basket vine
Twisted Lipstick Plant origins
The lipstick plant is natively from Thailand and Malaysia. The vines natively grow up trees in the rainforest.
Is Twisted Lipstick Plant rare?
I got my plant at Lowes, so it's certainly not rare, but this variety is a bit more rare than a standard lipstick plant.
Is Twisted Lipstick Plant toxic?
This plant is non toxic to humans and pets but eating it should still be avoided!
Twisted Lipstick Plant care guide
Lipstick plants are super easy to care for indoor plants.
Twisted Lipstick Plant watering
Lipstick plants can take drying out between waterings, but don't want to be too dry. Water deeply once dry and be sure that the pot has drainage holes to avoid pooling water in the pot.
Read my guide on drilling drainage holes in pots!
How often should I water my Twisted Lipstick Plant?
Water your plant when the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch - once every 1-2 weeks, depending on the heat and sunlight situation.
Should I mist my Twisted Lipstick Plant?
These plants are native to the rainforest and love being misted regularly. Or, run a humidifier for extra high humidity.
Twisted Lipstick Plant lighting needs
Lipstick plants prefer bright, indirect light. Direct sun will burn their delicate leaves, but a sunny window is perfect!
Can I keep Twisted Lipstick Plant outdoors?
You can grow these plants in a hanging basket in a shady spot outdoors. Keep them out of the wind - the leaves can be delicate. Bring them indoors when temperatures drop below 50 degrees.
Twisted Lipstick Plant soil + potting
Lipstick plant does well in regular houseplant soil or potting mix. Be sure that it is well draining with drainage holes to avoid soggy roots.
Does Twisted Lipstick Plant like to be root bound?
These plants do just fine root bound and it is said that letting them be a little root bound helps to encourage extra blooms when the red flowers appear in spring!
Twisted Lipstick Plant fertilization
Fertilize once a month during warm growing season to encourage healthy growth and lots of the red tubular flowers!
How to propagate Twisted Lipstick Plant
It is extremely easy to propagate lipstick plant in soil.
- Identify a healthy branch, preferably with new growth
- Snip the branch with sharp scissors
- Remove any lower leaves
- Place in soil so at least 1 - preferably 2 - nodes are under the surface
- Water and cover loosely with a plastic bag to create a greenhouse effect.
- See roots form in 2-4 weeks
- Once the roots are long enough that tugging doesn't remove the plant, treat it like an adult plant!
Troubleshooting Twisted Lipstick Plant
Why are the leaves falling off my lipstick plant?
Dropping leaves almost always mean that your plant has been overwatered! Allow the soil to dry in between waterings and be sure that the pot has drainage holes to avoid pooling water on the roots.
Why does my lipstick plant have shriveled or dry leaves?
Dry leaves indicate that your plant is under watered. Water it deeply a bit more often and mist it regularly, too.
Why does my lipstick plant have yellow leaves?
Yellowing leaves almost always indicate that your lipstick plant has been over watered!
Why is my lipstick plant not blooming?
Lipstick plants should bloom each spring. If they don't, they probably are not getting enough bright light! Move them to a sunnier spot.
Any more questions about the curly lipstick plant?!
Thanks for reading!
Hey there, I'm Morgan, a houseplant enthusiast from sunny Charleston, South Carolina. Growing up surrounded by my mom's lush orchids and African violets, I discovered the magic of bringing nature indoors. Thanks to the pandemic, I delved deeper into houseplants, discovering their power to uplift moods and transform spaces. I'm here to spill all my secrets, helping you pick the perfect houseplant - and make it happy. Let's keep your plants alive, together! 😊
