The “kettle plant” is a colloquial name for the Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans). This popular houseplant is admired for its cascading vines, glossy, dark green leaves, and distinctive tubular flowers. Its unique floral display and trailing growth habit make it a favored choice for hanging baskets and elevated displays.
Caring for Your Kettle Plant
Light Requirements
Lipstick Plants flourish in bright, indirect light, mimicking their natural rainforest habitat. Placing the plant near an east or west-facing window provides ample filtered sunlight. Too much direct sun can scorch leaves, while insufficient light may result in leggy growth and reduced flowering.
Watering Needs
Consistent moisture is important for the Lipstick Plant, though it is sensitive to overwatering. Allow the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. During the plant’s active growing period in spring and summer, watering frequency may increase, while in cooler months, it should be reduced. Proper drainage through the pot is important, as the plant should never sit in standing water.
Soil Mix
The Lipstick Plant requires a well-draining, airy potting mix that allows for good aeration around its roots. A suitable blend includes peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark or coarse sand. This mix prevents waterlogging and compaction. Recommended ratios include 2 parts peat moss, 1 part perlite, and 1 part pine bark fines.
Temperature and Humidity
Lipstick Plants thrive in warm and humid conditions, ideally with temperatures ranging from 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C). Avoid sudden temperature fluctuations and cold drafts, as these can cause leaf drop. To maintain high humidity, consider using a humidity tray with pebbles and water beneath the pot, grouping the plant with others, or employing a room humidifier.
Fertilization
During the active growing season (spring through summer), the Lipstick Plant benefits from regular fertilization. Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half the recommended strength, typically once or twice a month. Reduce or cease fertilization during fall and winter when the plant’s growth slows. Always ensure the soil is damp before fertilizing to prevent root burn.
Encouraging Abundant Blooms
To encourage the Lipstick Plant to produce its striking, tube-like flowers, ample bright, indirect light is important. Insufficient light is a common reason for a lack of blooms. Consistent care, including appropriate fertilization during the growing season, supports flower development. The plant typically blooms from spring through fall, though with optimal conditions, it can flower year-round.
The unique flowers emerge from dark, often burgundy, calyces, with vibrant red, orange, or yellow petals extending outward, giving them their characteristic “lipstick” appearance. These blooms appear along the trailing stems. Allowing the plant to mature can also contribute to more prolific blooming, as younger plants may not flower as readily.
Pruning and Shaping Your Plant
Pruning the Lipstick Plant helps maintain its shape, encourages bushier growth, and promotes plant health. Regularly trimming leggy or sparse stems prevents the plant from becoming straggly, encouraging new growth for a more compact and full appearance.
When pruning, use clean, sharp scissors or shears to make cuts just above a leaf node, where new shoots will emerge. Removing any dead or yellowing foliage also contributes to the plant’s health. Pruning can be done after the main flowering period to stimulate fresh growth and future blooms.
Propagating Your Kettle Plant
Propagating the Lipstick Plant is straightforward, with stem cuttings being the most common and effective method. This can be done almost any time of year, though spring and summer offer the best success rates due to active growth. Select a healthy, non-flowering stem section, about 4 to 6 inches long.
Remove leaves from the bottom 1 to 2 inches of the cutting to expose leaf nodes. Cuttings can be rooted in water or a well-draining potting mix. If planting in soil, a mix of perlite and peat moss is suitable; keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Rooting hormone can be applied to encourage faster root development, though it is not always necessary.
Solving Common Plant Problems
Issues can arise when caring for a Lipstick Plant, often signaling environmental imbalances. Yellowing leaves frequently indicate overwatering or poor drainage, which can lead to root rot. Checking soil moisture and ensuring adequate drainage holes can address this. Conversely, underwatering can also cause yellowing leaves and wilting, requiring more consistent moisture.
Leaf drop may occur due to inconsistent watering, sudden temperature changes, or insufficient light. Pests like mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids can infest Lipstick Plants. These can be managed by wiping them off with rubbing alcohol, using insecticidal soap, or applying neem oil.