From clambering up trees in the rainforests of Malaysia and Indochina we get our gorgeous Lipstick plant. At home in our own tropical hanging gardens, strong, wiry stems holding almond-shaped, thick, jade green leaves gush over the pot edges like a waterfall; the stems overlaying each other in a luxurious fullness, and curving out a bit at the tips. Purple is a bit more upright than red varieties but trails just a nicely. The flowers are the real show here. What sets Purple apart is the color of the lipstick as it rolls up slowly out of the green tube (calyx). Purple's flowers can come in brightest purple, violet red, fuchsia, burgundy and a saturated, bright red red too like regular lipstick. Each plant is different! Each lipstick flower has a five-petaled mouth that spreads open to a let a few threadlike stamens reach out to tempt a nearby pollinator to visit. In full bloom, which is often and there are tons of lipsticks, this is a gorgeous plant in your jungle.
- Pet Friendly
- Trailing
Quick Care Guide:
- Water - Medium (3): Water plant when dry. Plant does not like soil to always be moist, but doesn't like to stay dry once becomes dry. Water as soon as soil is dry.
- Light - Medium (3): Plant prefers natural, diffused light. Can be placed in a spacious living room. Indirect light preferred. No direct sunlight on leaves.
- Difficulty - Med/High (4): A little more finicky than most. Requires some extra care.