Light: Lipstick plant loves bright interior light. In order to witness the flowers which give this plant its common name, provide it with east exposure windows. It will bloom when it can accumulate enough light energy during the long days of summer months.

Temperature: 60-80 F

Humidity: medium to high

You may consider a humidity tray or humidifier over winter months for this humidity-loving plant.

Water: Keep the potting mix moist but not soggy. Water when the top 1-2” of mix dries. Check moisture periodically as lipstick plant hates to dry down completely.

Repotting: Repot every 2-3 years into a slightly larger container (1-2” increased diameter or depth). Use a general purpose potting mix.

Fertilizing: Incorporate fertilizer into your watering cycle once per month March through September. There are several violet fertilizers designed specifically for gesneriads out on the market.

The gesneriads include many favorites—gold fish plant & African violet—to name a couple.

(Listed in order of commonality…)

• Algae growth on potting mix from moist conditions

• Fungus gnats

• Root decay from soggy potting mix

Is lipstick plant pet safe?

Yes

Do I need to water lipstick plant from the bottom like other gesneriads or can I water overhead?

There are 2 main reasons I suggest watering all gesneriads from the bottom.

1. Some gesneriads have leaves that are sensitive to water temperature. Water that is cooler than the leaf temperature can leave spots on the leaves.

2. Lipstick plant struggles with leaf and crown decay when water sits in the central growing point or on the leaves.