Aeschynanthus radicans

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lipstick plant

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A spreading, trailing, tropical perennial with leathery green leaves. From spring to autumn it intermittently bears clusters of flared, tubular red flowers to 5cm long, which emerge from burgundy calyces. Makes a good houseplant for a bright spot

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1A

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Gesneriaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Trailing
Genus
Aeschynanthus can be climbers, subshrubs or trailing perennials with simple, fleshy, evergreen leaves and showy tubular flowers, some with a contrasting calyx
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Thailand to Malesia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow as a house or conservatory plant indoors in a peat-free houseplant compost. Position the container in bright, filtered light for best growth and flowering. Water freely and apply a half strength, general liquid feed monthly from mid spring to late summer. Water sparingly in winter. See houseplant cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring or semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Hanging Basket
  • Houseplants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Trim back weak or overly-long shoots as necessary

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free