Lipstick Plant 'Mona Lisa'

The Lipstick Plant 'Mona Lisa' (Aeschynanthus radicans 'Mona Lisa'), part of the Gesneriaceae family, brings a touch of the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia right into your home. This cultivar stands out with its cascading vines and dark green, waxy leaves that create a lush backdrop for its stunning tubular flowers. While it's considered an intermediate-level plant, the reward is well worth the attention. Here's something interesting: the flower buds emerge from dark, tube-like calyxes that look just like tiny lipstick cases, which is exactly how this plant earned its charming common name. 🌿
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This is a trailing plant that looks gorgeous in hanging baskets or perched on a high shelf where its vines can cascade downward. The leaves are thick, glossy, and elliptical, growing in pairs along the stems. They have a deep green colour with a slightly waxy texture that catches the light beautifully. The growth habit is naturally sprawling, with multiple stems growing outward and downward, creating a full, lush appearance over time.
FLOWER DETAILS
The flowers are the real showstoppers here. They emerge from dark maroon or purple calyxes and unfurl into vibrant red-orange tubular blooms with yellow throats. The shape is tubular and slightly curved, designed by nature to attract hummingbirds in their native habitat. There's no fragrance, but the visual impact more than makes up for it. The flowers appear most abundantly in spring and summer, though you might see sporadic blooms throughout the year if conditions are right. To encourage flowering, provide bright indirect light, maintain consistent humidity, allow the plant to get slightly rootbound, and reduce watering slightly in late fall to give it a rest period before the next bloom cycle.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright indirect light is essential. An east or west-facing window works perfectly. Needs about 6-8 hours of filtered light daily. Too little light means fewer flowers.
💧 Water: Keep soil lightly moist during spring and summer, watering when the top inch feels dry. Reduce watering in autumn and winter, letting the top two inches dry out. Bottom watering works well to avoid wetting the foliage.
🌡️ Humidity: Prefers 50-70% humidity. Will tolerate average home humidity but blooms better with higher levels. Mist occasionally or use a humidity tray.
🪴 Soil: Well-draining, airy mix. Combine regular potting soil with perlite and orchid bark for best results. Slightly acidic pH preferred.
🏺 Potting: Shallow pots work best since roots are relatively shallow. Plastic or glazed ceramic. Repot every 2-3 years in spring, or when seriously rootbound. Slightly tight pots encourage flowering.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate grower. Expect 15-30 cm of new growth in a year under good conditions. Vines can eventually reach 60-90 cm long at maturity.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed every 2-3 weeks during spring and summer with diluted liquid fertilizer. Use a bloom-promoting formula (higher phosphorus) for more flowers. Stop or reduce fertilizing in autumn and winter.
🐾 Pet friendly: Yes, non-toxic to cats and dogs. Safe choice for homes with curious pets.
WHERE TO PUT IT
This plant shines in spaces with bright, filtered light and a bit of humidity. Perfect for bathrooms with windows, bright living rooms, or sunrooms. Hang it near an east or west-facing window where morning or afternoon sun is softened by sheer curtains. It also looks fantastic on a plant stand or bookshelf where the vines can trail elegantly. Avoid placing it in dark corners, near heating vents, or in cold drafts from windows or air conditioning, as these conditions will stress the plant and prevent flowering.
RARITY ASSESSMENT
common