Curly Lipstick Vine

Curly Lipstick Vine is a new twist on an old fashioned favourite. The leaves have gorgeous texture, curling in on each other. The plant is well branched and spills beautifully over the sides of pots or hanging baskets. They make excellent house plants.

The lipstick red flowers put on a spectacular show and open almost year round. The ravishing red florets open at the ends of the stems.

SIZE (HxW): 10-20cm x 20-70cm

I SEE THE LIGHT: Bright, indirect light is ideal. You should be able to read during the day in their position in the room without turning on a light. They need eight to ten hours of artificial light a day if you are growing them in an office or similar. You will know if there isn’t enough light because they won’t set flower, which is something they do quite readily.

I NEED A DRINK: Water well, then allow the soil to almost dry out before watering again. You are more likely to kill them with kindness, so keeping them on the drier side is more ideal. They are semi dormant in winter so watering should be reduced when the weather cools.

They hail from the humid tropics of Malaysia. If the leaf tips brown, they are likely craving humidity. You can provide some humidity for your beloved plant, by placing them over a plate with rocks and water, this will naturally form humidity around the plant. Or if you want to get very fancy and grow a few of these tropical treats, purchasing a humidifier is a good investment – they are also good for you. Or you could grow it in a bathroom which naturally gets a good dose of steam. Or grow with other plants where through respiration the humidity will naturally form around the plants.

I WILL SURVIVE: They grow at a moderate to steady pace, you can pinch out the growing tips to encourage a bushy plant and promote more blooms.

In pots ensure you choose a cactus/succulent potting mix for best results as it offers the sharp drainage they need – in nature they are epiphytes so drainage is very important. Choose a pot with drainage holes to ensure they don’t end up sitting in water. Use a diluted, liquid fertiliser in winter/spring to keep them happy and healthy. They aren’t heavy feeders so will forgive if you forget.