Lipstick plants typically bloom during spring and summer, but under the right indoor conditions, they can flower year-round.
Knowing when your lipstick plant blooms helps you give it the best care to keep those vibrant red blooms coming.
Lipstick plants (botanical name: Aeschynanthus radicans) are tropical beauties known for their trailing vines and striking tubular flowers that peek out from dark calyxes, looking just like a tube of lipstick! But the real question plant lovers often ask is: when do lipstick plants bloom?
The Natural Blooming Season
In their native tropical climates of Southeast Asia, lipstick plants bloom most profusely in the warm, humid months of spring through summer.
These are the times when the plant receives consistent warmth, bright indirect light, and higher humidity, conditions it naturally thrives in.
However, with the right care indoors, lipstick plants can bloom sporadically year-round, especially in controlled environments with proper light and warmth.
Many indoor gardeners report blooming occurring during late spring to early fall, with some lucky growers seeing bursts of flowers even in winter if lighting and temperature are well-maintained.
Blooming Timeline at a Glance
Here’s a seasonal guide to help you anticipate and encourage blooming:
| Season | Blooming Likelihood | Care Focus |
| Spring | High | Increase watering, fertilize monthly |
| Summer | Very High | Maintain humidity, prune after bloom |
| Fall | Medium | Adjust light, reduce fertilization |
| Winter | Low to Medium | Add grow lights, keep temps consistent |
How Long Do Blooms Last?
A healthy lipstick plant’s flowers can last up to 2–3 weeks, and a single plant can put out multiple blooms over several months if it’s really happy. Some varieties, like the ‘Mona Lisa,’ are known for extended bloom times and more prolific flowering habits.
Tips to Maximize Bloom Time
- Location Matters: Keep the plant near a bright, indirect light source, east or south-facing windows are great.
- Humidity Boost: Group with other plants or use a pebble tray to increase local humidity.
- Consistent Temps: Try to maintain indoor temperatures between 65–75°F (18–24°C).
How to Encourage a Lipstick Plant to Bloom
To encourage a lipstick plant to bloom, provide it with bright indirect light, consistent watering, regular feeding, and the right temperature and humidity.
A well-timed pruning also helps trigger more vigorous blooming.
If your lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) is looking lush but refusing to bloom, don’t worry, you’re not alone!
These tropical plants can be picky bloomers, especially if they’re not getting exactly what they need. But with just a few tweaks to your routine, you can stimulate bloom production and enjoy those vivid red flowers more often.
1. Provide Plenty of Bright, Indirect Light
Lipstick plants need high light levels to bloom well. Place them in a bright east- or south-facing window, but shield them from harsh direct sun that could scorch the leaves.
Pro Tip: If natural light is lacking, supplement with full-spectrum grow lights, especially in winter months. Lipstick plants thrive under 12–14 hours of bright light daily when you’re chasing blooms.
2. Get the Watering Schedule Just Right
Overwatering or underwatering can stress your lipstick plant and shut down blooming altogether.
- Water when the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry.
- Ensure the pot has excellent drainage.
- Avoid letting the plant sit in water, which leads to root rot.
Keeping a moderate and consistent moisture level is key to keeping your plant happy and bloom-ready.
3. Fertilize Regularly During the Growing Season
During spring and summer, feed your lipstick plant with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer (such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) diluted to half strength every 2–4 weeks.
For an extra bloom boost, switch to a bloom booster fertilizer (high in phosphorus) every other month to stimulate flower formation.
| Fertilizer Type | When to Use | Purpose |
| Balanced 10-10-10 | Spring to early fall | Overall growth |
| Bloom booster 10-30-20 | Mid-spring to summer | Encourages flowering |
4. Keep Temperatures Warm and Humidity High
Lipstick plants love a consistent temperature between 65–75°F (18–24°C) and humidity levels above 50%.
Use a humidifier or place the plant on a tray filled with water and pebbles to raise humidity naturally. You can also group it with other humidity-loving plants for that tropical feel.
5. Prune After Blooming to Promote New Growth
Pruning encourages branching, which means more stems and more flowers. Snip just above a leaf node using sterilized scissors after flowering ends.
Bonus: Pinching young stems encourages a bushier, fuller plant, which naturally sets more blooms.
Why Is My Lipstick Plant Not Blooming?
If your lipstick plant isn’t blooming, it may be due to low light, poor nutrition, incorrect watering, or environmental stress.
Identifying and correcting the underlying issue will help restore healthy growth and encourage beautiful blooms.
It’s frustrating to see a lipstick plant full of glossy, green leaves but no signs of flowers.
This tropical vining beauty needs very specific conditions to bloom, and even small disruptions can halt flowering. Let’s troubleshoot what might be going wrong.
1. Insufficient Light
This is the #1 reason lipstick plants won’t bloom. If it’s in a dim corner or only gets filtered light from across the room, it simply won’t have the energy to flower.
Solution: Move the plant to a brighter spot with indirect light or supplement with a full-spectrum grow light for 12–14 hours daily.
2. Over or Underwatering
Lipstick plants are sensitive to moisture levels. Overwatering can cause root rot, while underwatering leads to dry stress, either way, blooms won’t form.
Fix It:
- Check that your soil is well-draining.
- Only water when the top inch or two of soil is dry.
- Avoid letting it sit in a saucer of water.
3. Lack of Nutrients
Plants need food to flower. If it’s been more than 2 months since your last feeding, or if you’re using the wrong fertilizer, your plant might be starving for phosphorus.
What to Do:
- Use a balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) during spring and summer.
- Switch to a bloom-boosting fertilizer (10-30-20) monthly to kick start blooming.
4. Low Humidity or Temperature Stress
Lipstick plants love warm, humid environments. If your indoor air is dry or your plant is near a cold draft, it may focus on survival, not flowering.
How to Help:
- Maintain temps around 65–75°F (18–24°C).
- Keep humidity above 50% with a humidifier or pebble tray.
- Avoid cold windows or vents in winter.
5. Pot-Bound or Poor Soil Conditions
Sometimes, a lipstick plant won’t bloom because it’s outgrown its pot or the soil has become compacted or depleted.
Action Plan:
- Check for roots coming out of the drainage holes, a sign it’s time to repot.
- Repot every 2–3 years with a fresh, light, well-aerated potting mix.
Quick Troubleshooting Table
| Problem | Symptom | Solution |
| Low light | No blooms, leggy growth | Move to brighter area, add grow lights |
| Overwatering | Yellow leaves, mushy soil | Let dry, adjust watering schedule |
| No fertilizer | Healthy leaves, no flowers | Apply balanced and bloom-boost fertilizer |
| Low humidity | Leaf tips brown, no blooms | Increase moisture around plant |
| Pot-bound roots | Stunted growth, dry fast | Repot in larger container with fresh soil |
What Triggers Lipstick Plants to Flower?
Lipstick plants bloom when they receive bright indirect light, consistent moisture, high humidity, warmth, and seasonal cues like longer daylight hours.
Creating a stable tropical environment indoors is key to triggering the flowering cycle.
Lipstick plants (Aeschynanthus radicans) don’t just bloom randomly, they bloom in response to specific environmental signals.
When those conditions are just right, they reward you with bold, tube-shaped flowers that look like red lipstick tubes. Let’s explore what truly gets them going.
1. Light Duration and Intensity
One of the strongest bloom triggers is light exposure. As tropical natives, lipstick plants are used to long, bright days in filtered sunlight.
What works best:
- 12–14 hours of bright indirect light daily.
- A well-lit east or south-facing window is ideal.
- In low-light homes, a grow light on a timer simulates longer days.
Bloom Tip: Start increasing light exposure in late winter to signal the plant that spring (and bloom time!) is near.
2. Warmer Temperatures
Lipstick plants associate warmer days with the growing season, and that means it’s time to bloom.
- Ideal temperature: 65–75°F (18–24°C)
- Keep away from cold drafts or air conditioning vents.
- Avoid night temperatures below 60°F (15°C) if you want blooms.
A slight rise in temperature during spring and summer can act like a natural signal to start producing buds.
3. High Humidity
Humidity is a natural blooming cue for these plants. In their native rainforest habitats, warm air is always moist.
Aim for at least 50–60% humidity to promote flowering. Here’s how to do it indoors:
- Run a humidifier near your plant.
- Place it on a pebble tray filled with water.
- Cluster it with other plants to create a mini microclimate.
4. Balanced Feeding with Phosphorus Boosts
Nutrient-rich soil sends a strong signal that it’s a safe time to flower. While lipstick plants aren’t heavy feeders, they need a little extra help during the blooming season.
- Use a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) every 2–4 weeks.
- Add a high-phosphorus fertilizer (like 10-30-20) monthly in late spring and summer to stimulate blooming.
| Fertilizer Type | Frequency | Why It Matters |
| Balanced 10-10-10 | Every 2–4 weeks | Supports healthy growth |
| Bloom Booster 10-30-20 | Monthly (spring/summer) | Triggers and sustains flowers |
5. Gentle Stress and Root Crowding
Interestingly, a slightly root-bound lipstick plant is more likely to flower. A little gentle stress from being “cozy” in its pot can actually trigger blooms.
What to watch for:
- Roots circling the inside of the pot.
- Soil drying out more quickly than usual.
If your plant is healthy and root-bound (but not suffering), don’t rush to repot, it may be in prime blooming mode.
How Long Do Lipstick Plants Bloom?
Lipstick plants typically bloom for several weeks at a time and can flower multiple times a year with proper care.
With consistent light, warmth, and humidity, their blooming period may last from early spring through late fall.
Lipstick plants are a tropical treasure not just because of their foliage, but because they bloom long and often when happy.
Unlike some plants that flower once and fizzle, lipstick plants can keep putting on a show all season long. Here’s what to expect.
1. Blooming Season Timeline
Under ideal indoor growing conditions, lipstick plants can bloom:
- From spring through late fall (April to October in most regions)
- Sometimes even in winter if grown under lights
While each individual flower lasts around 2–3 weeks, new buds continue to form during their blooming window, extending the show.
2. Frequency of Flowering
Lipstick plants are episodic bloomers, which means they bloom in cycles rather than all at once.
You might see:
- A big flush of blooms in spring
- Followed by smaller bursts every few weeks through fall
In ideal environments, some varieties bloom almost continuously, especially under grow lights.
3. Flower Longevity
Once buds form, it takes 1–2 weeks for them to fully open. Each flower then remains vibrant for up to 2–3 weeks before fading.
To extend bloom time:
- Deadhead faded flowers to encourage new ones
- Keep light and humidity levels stable
- Don’t move the plant once it starts budding
4. What Shortens the Bloom Time?
A few stressors can shorten bloom duration or stop future flushes:
- Sudden drops in temperature
- Dry air or drafts
- Overwatering or underwatering
- Lack of nutrients
If your plant starts blooming and suddenly stops, double-check its environment. Even a small shift can interrupt the cycle.
Blooming Timeline Table
| Stage | Timeframe | Details |
| Bud formation | 1–2 weeks before flowering | Needs stable light, temp, and feeding |
| Flower lifespan | 2–3 weeks per bloom | Each bloom lasts several weeks individually |
| Full bloom cycle | Spring–Fall (multiple waves) | Recurs with proper care every few weeks |
Do Lipstick Plants Bloom More Than Once a Year?
Yes, lipstick plants can bloom multiple times a year, especially in warm, bright indoor conditions.
With proper care, many varieties produce vibrant flowers in several cycles from spring through fall and even during winter under grow lights.
Unlike seasonal bloomers that flower once and call it a year, lipstick plants (Aeschynanthus radicans) are surprisingly generous when it comes to putting on a floral show.
Let’s dig into how often they bloom and what conditions make repeat blooming possible.
1. Natural Blooming Cycles
Lipstick plants are episodic or cyclical bloomers. That means rather than one big blooming season, they flower in spurts throughout the year.
Expect:
- A major bloom in spring or early summer
- Followed by smaller bursts every few weeks or months through fall
- Occasionally, indoor plants can bloom again in late winter
2. Indoor Conditions = More Opportunities
Because lipstick plants are tropical epiphytes, indoor growing gives you control over their bloom triggers year-round. This allows for multiple blooming periods even when outdoor plants are dormant.
Key factors for multi-season blooms:
- Bright indirect light or grow lights
- Day temps around 70°F (21°C) with mild nights
- Humidity above 50%
- Regular feeding with bloom boosters during growth seasons
3. Varieties That Bloom More Frequently
Some lipstick plant cultivars are known for exceptional bloom frequency, such as:
- ‘Rasta’ – curly leaves and a high repeat bloom rate
- ‘Mona Lisa’ – large, vibrant blooms and a longer blooming cycle
- ‘Cassiopeia’ – thrives indoors with extended flowering seasons
If your goal is frequent flowers, choosing the right variety gives you a major head start.
4. Signs Your Plant Is Ready to Bloom Again
After the first flowering cycle:
- Look for new growth tips, a sign it’s gearing up for more blooms
- You may see tiny buds forming at the base of leaves
- Resume light feeding and maintain humidity to encourage a second or third flush
Pro tip: Gently prune spent stems to stimulate fresh growth and new flower buds.
Lipstick Plant Bloom Frequency at a Glance
| Growing Environment | Typical Bloom Frequency | Notes |
| Outdoors (tropics) | 1–2 major blooms/year | Spring and early fall |
| Indoors (natural light) | 2–3 cycles/year | Spring, summer, sometimes winter |
| Indoors (grow lights) | 3–4 cycles/year | Controlled lighting extends blooms |
First Hand Experience
From my greenhouse to indoor window sills, I’ve had lipstick plants bloom three separate times in a single year, especially with the help of growing lights during winter.
If you keep conditions steady, your plant will almost treat every season like spring.
Final Thoughts: When Do Lipstick Plants Bloom?
Lipstick plants bloom multiple times a year when provided with bright indirect light, warm temperatures, high humidity, and proper care.
Their vibrant tubular flowers can appear from spring through fall, and even in winter under ideal indoor conditions.
Lipstick plants (Aeschynanthus radicans) are tropical beauties that, with the right care, reward gardeners with stunning blooms multiple times a year.
These plants thrive in bright, indirect light and prefer temperatures between 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). High humidity levels, around 50-60%, further encourage blooming.
Regular watering, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings, and monthly feeding with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season can promote continuous flowering.
Pruning after blooms fade helps maintain a compact shape and stimulates new growth, leading to more blooms. By mimicking their natural tropical environment, you can enjoy the lipstick plant’s vibrant flowers throughout the year.
“With a little love and the right care, your lipstick plant will reward you with a vibrant, ongoing floral display, turning any space into a lively, colorful paradise all year round.”