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Conservatory GreenhouseHouseplants

Aeschynanthus radicans

lipstick plant

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

Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–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

Botanical details

Family: Gesneriaceae
Native to the UK: 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: Malaysia (source: Missouri Botanical Garden)

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow as a house or conservatory plant in a houseplant compost. Position the pot or hanging basket in bright, filtered light for best growth and flowering. Apply a balanced liquid feed monthly during the growing season. 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

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

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Aeschynanthus radicans

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