Light is often forgotten in the world of plant care, especially for beginners. It’s always about watering this, watering that. Once you set a plant in its spot, chances are it’s not going anywhere anytime soon - and that’s not always a good thing!
For the lipstick plant, light controls leaf colour, bloom frequency, and overall vigour. Too little light and the plant will sulk. Too much direct sun, however, and the leaves can scorch, turn pale, or even develop brown spots.
The goal is to find a sweet spot. And that spot needs to be somewhere the plant receives adequate light. Sure, aesthetics are important, but think of the poor lipstick plant!
How To Care for Lipstick Plant: Lighting Needs
Natural Light
Of course, the best would be natural lighting. For starters, it’s free! Natural light for the lipstick plant would be coming from the windows.
This should be fairly simple. If you see bright, indirect light for most of the day, that is perfect. Remember. Direct sun will cause problems like leaf scorch, so keep an eye out for that. If you’re dead set on a spot that has too much sun, a light curtain may be the solution.
While we can go on about East, North, South, or West-facing windows, we think it doesn’t help out newer plant parents all that much. Plant care is not a one-size-fits-all statement. More often than not, beginners just trust the information they’re given and end up accidentally neglecting the plant’s needs. The habit one should build is observing the plant…
That’s because the most important thing here would be to keep a watchful eye on changes to the plant’s appearance. Leaf colour will tell you if your lipstick plant is having a tough time adjusting to your spot. Browning leaves, yellowing leaves (paling), and dark spots are all signs to watch out for. This would be the same for natural and artificial light!
Artificial Light
If your home does not have ideal windows, artificial light is a fantastic option. Many modern grow lights are affordable and easy to use.
There are a few types of grow lights. They are: LED, fluorescent, and incandescent.
The cheapest (for a reason) are the incandescent lights. Why? They are the least efficient and have a high heat output. Think about a light bulb, and you’re likely thinking about the typical Thomas Edison incandescent bulb. Place these further away from your plant. About two feet will work, and you can adjust accordingly.
Fluorescent lights are also quite common. You’ve most likely seen those long bulbs lighting up offices and warehouses, though compact bulbs are also available. These are more expensive than the incandescent bulbs, but they are more energy efficient. Place these about a foot away from your plants.
The newest of these three and also the most popular choice is the LED bulb. It offers high energy efficiency, minimal heat emission, and customisation (meaning changing the light colour). They are 90% more energy efficient than the incandescent bulb. Plus, they last a long time, too. Yes, LEDs are more expensive, but they do have a chance of saving you more money long term. You can place these closer to your plants, making for a more compact setup.
Lipstick plants require about 10 to 12 hours of light every day. So, yes, you would need to actively switch your lights on and off unless you have a timer. Don’t turn the light on at night and turn the light off when you wake up. Your plants, in general, need darkness to thrive as well.
Again, the key here is to observe your lipstick plant. Physical changes don’t usually happen overnight.
And another thing, do be mindful of your setups. Lights need electricity, and your plants need water. Those two don’t mix. Make sure cables are not placed where water might get to them. When you’re watering your plants, it would be wise to switch off the lights and then turn them on after you’re done. This won’t be necessary if you’re watering the soil directly. A good practice would be watering before you turn on or after you turn off your grow lights, not in the middle of their light cycle.
Signs Your Lipstick Plant Is Getting Enough Light
What signs should one look for? We know it’s tedious to have to read through all the above again. Lucky for you, we’ve written up this quick guide below.
Healthy signs
- Compact, bushy growth.
- Glossy, rich-colored leaves.
- Regular blooming.
- No stretching or long gaps between leaves.
Warning signs
- Long, leggy stems.
- Widely spaced leaves.
- Pale leaves or brown patches.
- Few or no blooms (this could also signal a lack of nutrients).
Lipstick Plant Care Is Easy If You Observe
Bloombox Club knows the best plant parents are the observant ones. That’s why we urge you to get to know your lipstick plant. If they’re down, make adjustments or help them along. That’s how they’ll thrive under your care!
