Scientific Name
Aeschynanthus radicans Jack
Common Name(s)
Lipstick Plant, Lipstickplant, Basket Vine, Basketvine
Scientific Classification
Family: Gesneriaceae
Genus: Aeschynanthus
Flower
Color: Red with purple calyces
Bloom Time: Midsummer to early winter
Description
Aeschynanthus radicans is a vine-like plant with fleshy green leaves. It grows up to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall. Leaves are opposite, ovate to lanceolate, and up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long.
The flowers are terminal, tubular, red with purple calyces, and up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 11a to 11b: from 40 °F (+4.4 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Aeschynanthus are perfect for growing as hanging or trailing plants. They require high humidity and warmth throughout the growing season, as well as strong (but not direct) light. After the season is over, cut the trailing stems back in preparation for another year—otherwise, it will tend toward legginess. Do not spray plants in bloom. These are perfect for a greenhouse, sunroom, or conservatory.
Repotting depends on your container choice. Repot hanging plants at the beginning of every growing season. You can keep the plant in the same basket year after year, but you'll still need to refresh the soil and divide it if the plant has become too large. After that, you can pot the division up separately. If you're growing in a container, depending on the size of the plant, repot annually or every other year.
Take cuttings in the spring, when the plant resumes normal growth. Use a rooting hormone, provide bottom heat, or use a covered rooting container to root cuttings successfully. Take a cutting with several leaves and the length of the stem. Strip away the bottom one or two sets of leaves to expose one or two growing nodes. Dip these into rooting hormone (if you're using it), then bury the cutting and the exposed nodes into a clean potting mix.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Aeschynanthus.
Origin
The native range of Aeschynanthus radicans is from the humid tropics of the Malay Peninsula to the south of Java.
Links
- Back to genus Aeschynanthus
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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