The Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) is a popular houseplant known for its vibrant, tubular flowers that emerge from dark buds, resembling a tube of lipstick. While often grown indoors, this tropical perennial can thrive outdoors when its specific environmental needs are met. Successful outdoor cultivation depends on understanding and providing for its preferences in light, temperature, and humidity.
Selecting the Outdoor Location
Selecting the proper outdoor spot for a Lipstick Plant is crucial. These plants flourish in bright, indirect light, mimicking their native habitat under a tropical canopy. Direct, harsh afternoon sunlight can scorch their waxy leaves, leading to damage. A location offering dappled shade or morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal for preventing leaf burn.
Lipstick Plants prefer warm, stable temperatures, ideally ranging between 65°F and 80°F (18°C to 27°C). They are sensitive to sudden temperature drops and cold drafts, which can cause leaf drop. Temperatures below 50°F (10°C) can hinder growth and lead to plant death.
High humidity levels are beneficial for Lipstick Plants, reflecting their tropical origins. In drier climates, grouping plants together or placing them near a water feature can help increase local humidity. A sheltered location is also important to protect the plant’s delicate foliage from strong winds, which can cause physical damage and contribute to rapid moisture loss.
Daily Outdoor Care
Consistent daily care is important for outdoor Lipstick Plants. Watering needs increase outdoors due to greater evaporation from sun and wind exposure. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, ensuring consistent moisture without waterlogging. Proper drainage is crucial, as too much moisture can lead to root rot.
For potting, a well-draining mix is essential, ideally one that mimics their epiphytic nature. A blend containing peat moss, perlite, or orchid bark promotes good aeration and prevents soil from becoming compacted. Using containers, especially terracotta pots, can offer breathability and help manage soil moisture.
During the spring and summer growing seasons, fertilize Lipstick Plants every two to four weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. This supports healthy growth and encourages abundant blooms. During fall and winter, reduce or cease fertilization as the plant enters a period of slower growth.
Regular pruning helps maintain the plant’s shape, encourages bushiness, and promotes more blooms. Pinching back the tips of stems after flowering stimulates new branching and increases flower production. Removing any dead or yellowing leaves keeps the plant tidy and healthy.
Regularly inspecting the plant for pests is important. Early detection of common outdoor pests on leaves and stems can prevent larger infestations.
Managing Seasonal Changes
Acclimatizing Lipstick Plants to outdoor conditions is a gradual process. Introduce the plant to the outdoor environment for a few hours daily in a shaded spot, progressively increasing its exposure to light and outdoor elements over one to two weeks. This hardening-off period allows the plant to adjust.
Move Lipstick Plants outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures consistently remain above 50-55°F (10-13°C). Late spring or early summer is typically the safest time for this transition. The plant will not tolerate frost, which can cause rapid cellular damage.
Bringing the plant back indoors before the first autumn frost is important. When nighttime temperatures consistently drop below 50°F (10°C), return the plant to a protected indoor environment. This ensures its survival through colder months.
During winter indoors, the plant enters a period of reduced growth. Water less frequently, allowing the soil to dry out more between waterings. Provide bright, indirect light, and maintain cooler indoor temperatures, around 60-65°F (15-18°C), to encourage a rest period that can promote spring blooms. For unexpected cold snaps or intense heatwaves while outdoors, temporary protection such as covering it with a blanket or moving it to a more shaded or sheltered area can prevent damage.
Addressing Outdoor Issues
When Lipstick Plants are grown outdoors, certain issues can arise. Sunburn is a common problem, characterized by bleached, yellow, or crispy brown spots on the leaves. This indicates too much direct sun exposure, and the plant should be moved to a shadier location immediately. While damaged leaves will not recover, new growth should be healthy in a more suitable spot.
Pest infestations can occur outdoors, with common culprits including aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. Regularly inspect the undersides of leaves and stems for these pests. Organic control methods like insecticidal soap or neem oil can be effective, applied thoroughly to all affected areas and repeated as needed. Increasing humidity can also help deter spider mites.
Watering issues, such as overwatering or underwatering, are prevalent. Outdoor conditions like rain and heat can significantly impact soil moisture. Symptoms of overwatering include wilting, yellowing leaves, and a mushy base, often indicating root rot. If root rot is suspected, allow the soil to dry out, trim any decayed roots, and repot in fresh, well-draining soil. Conversely, underwatering leads to wilting and crispy leaves. Consistent, thorough watering when the top inch of soil is dry is essential.
Lack of blooms is a common issue. Outdoors, this often stems from insufficient light, as Lipstick Plants require bright, indirect light to flower prolifically. Nutrient imbalances, such as excessive nitrogen, which promotes foliage growth over flowers, can also be a factor. Proper pruning after flowering helps stimulate new growth and subsequent blooms.
Leggy growth, where stems become long and sparse, indicates insufficient light. Even outdoors, if the plant is in too much shade, it can stretch towards available light. Pruning leggy stems encourages bushier growth, and relocating the plant to a brighter spot will help prevent future elongation.