Aeschynanthus Mona Lisa "Lipstick Plant"

Aeschynanthus ‘Mona Lisa’, commonly known as the Lipstick Plant, is a beautiful tropical houseplant prized for its glossy trailing foliage and vibrant red blooms. Its cascading vines are covered in rich green, slightly wavy leaves that create a lush, elegant display year-round. When mature and grown in bright conditions, the plant produces striking tubular red flowers that emerge from dark maroon buds, resembling tubes of lipstick. Easy to grow, highly ornamental, and perfect for hanging displays, this variety brings a colorful tropical feel to shelves, hanging baskets, plant stands, and bright indoor spaces.

Key Features:

• Glossy trailing foliage – rich green leaves grow along cascading vines to create a lush tropical display.
• Brilliant lipstick-like blooms – mature plants produce vibrant red tubular flowers that emerge from dark maroon buds.
• Cascading growth habit – perfect for hanging baskets, elevated planters, shelves, and decorative containers.
• Long-lasting ornamental appeal – attractive foliage provides year-round beauty, with spectacular blooms under the right growing conditions.

Care Guide:

• Light: Prefers bright, indirect light to encourage vigorous growth and reliable flowering. Gentle morning sun is beneficial, but avoid prolonged harsh afternoon sun that can scorch the foliage.
• Water: Allow the top 1–2 inches of soil to dry before watering thoroughly. Keep the soil lightly moist during the growing season but avoid consistently soggy conditions, which can lead to root rot.
• Humidity: Enjoys moderate to high humidity and thrives in humid environments. Higher humidity encourages healthier foliage and more abundant flowering, though it adapts well to average household conditions.
• Soil & Potting: Use a light, well-draining potting mix amended with orchid bark, perlite, or coco chips to provide excellent drainage and airflow around the roots. Choose a pot with drainage holes.
• Fertilizer: Feed lightly with a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during spring and summer while actively growing. A fertilizer slightly higher in phosphorus can help encourage flowering. Reduce feeding during fall and winter.
• Temperature: Thrives in warm indoor conditions around 65–85°F (18–29°C); protect from cold drafts and temperatures below 55°F.

Growth & Size:

Moderate-growing indoors; trailing vines typically reach 2–4 feet long over time, depending on growing conditions and container size. As it matures, Aeschynanthus ‘Mona Lisa’ develops a fuller cascading habit and produces increasingly abundant clusters of vibrant flowers, making it an outstanding hanging basket or elevated shelf specimen.

Safety Note:

Aeschynanthus ‘Mona Lisa’ is considered non-toxic to pets and humans, making it an excellent choice for households with cats, dogs, and children. While the plant is generally regarded as safe, it is still best to discourage chewing on the foliage or flowers to prevent unnecessary digestive upset and protect the plant from damage.