The lipstick plant, scientifically known as Aeschynanthus Japhrolepis, is a trailing tropical that produces tubular flowers (what a tongue twister) in shades of red, coral, or deep pink.
The blooms peek from glossy, oval leaves like tiny painted lips, which is how the common name came about. Beyond its looks, this plant offers several practical advantages that make it a top pick for hanging baskets and elevated shelves.
Need a little more convincing before your purchase? You’re in the right place. Let us regale you with all the lovely lipstick plant benefits!
Lipstick Plant Benefits: Reasons Why It’s Great
Instant Decor Upgrade
One of the clearest lipstick plant benefits is its ability to transform a room. The trailing habit creates movement and softness that flat surfaces cannot. Hang one near a window and watch it spill over a basket or shelf, adding vertical interest and a living focal point. The bright flowers provide a pop of colour without the commitment of cut blooms, and the glossy foliage reflects light in a way that makes small rooms feel fresher and more considered.
If you want colour but don't want to fuss with frequent watering or deadheading (aka removing dead or wilted flowers), this trailing plant is ideal. The flowers are showy and long-lasting, and the plant blooms repeatedly when given bright, indirect light. It is a great way to introduce colour into neutral interiors, and it pairs beautifully with modern, minimalist decor as well as with boho chic and cottage core styles.
Lipstick Plant Styling Ideas
- Place it near a bright window where it can trail over cabinets and soften hard lines.
- Let the vines spill down a bookshelf to create a living curtain.
- If you have a windowed bathroom, the humidity will make the plant very happy, and the flowers will brighten the space.
- Combine with other plants like the trailing philodendron or a small fern for varied textures and a lush look.
Potted Calmness
Plants are proven mood boosters. Caring for a living thing gives many people a gentle routine and a sense of purpose. The lipstick plant is particularly good for this because it rewards attention with frequent blooms and tidy growth. Tending to it, whether by misting, pruning or simply checking soil moisture, creates small moments of mindfulness. Those moments add up, and many owners report a noticeable reduction in stress when they keep a few easygoing plants around.
Clean Air
People often ask whether indoor plants for air purification actually work. In fact, there’s a report called the NASA Clean Air Study - one that lists all the plants that can help clean the air and remove airborne toxins. Sadly, the lipstick plant isn’t part of that prestigious list. Still, plants are generally great for improving indoor air quality - even just a smidge. Imagine what could happen if you have a little garden!
Little Green Companion
It may sound a little sad, trust us, it isn’t. Plants have always been living things we considered our close friends. They keep us company when we’re reading our favorite books, watching a movie, or hanging out. They help make spaces feel more lively and livable, comfy even. To many, plants are just decor. To us, they’re so much more!
Tips Before You Pick
Spotted your future plant? Here are some things you should look out for.
You can find lipstick plants at garden centers, independent nurseries, and online plant shops (you’re here already!). When choosing a plant, look for healthy, glossy leaves with multiple flowering stems. Avoid plants with yellowing leaves or sticky residue, which can indicate pests or overwatering.
Yes, the pot matters, but only to an extent. Check out the physical features - does it look like it has been mishandled? Is it moldy, cracked? Those can be signs of a plant’s health. We might want to choose the pot that looks best, but the important bit is the plant itself. Should you go on and care for your lipstick plant properly, you’ll end up rehoming it anyway. Focus on the plant, not the pot.
Stick to the Lipstick Plants
The lipstick plant is more than a pretty face. Its benefits include an immediate decor upgrade, a calming daily ritual, a perceived improvement in indoor freshness, a reliable pop of colour and a steady mood lift.
Shop around and keep Bloombox Club open in your tabs. Who knows? Your next lipstick plant could be a click away!
