How do you propagate a lipstick plant from cuttings? For lipstick plant cuttings, take a soft stem cutting with three or four leaf nodes in spring, remove the lower leaves, dip the base in rooting hormone and plant it in equal parts vermiculite and perlite. Seal it in a clear bag in a warm spot with bright, indirect light, and check for roots with a gentle tug.
Key takeaway: Lipstick plant cuttings (Aeschynanthus radicans) root readily, which suits a plant whose species name is Latin for “rooting,” as North Carolina State Extension notes. NC State calls it an easy plant to propagate and share from a three-node soft stem cutting, and the RHS recommends softwood cuttings in spring or semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
| Factor | Guideline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Best timing for lipstick plant cuttings | Spring (softwood) or summer (semi-ripe) | RHS |
| Cutting | Three-node soft stem cutting | NC State Extension |
| Rooting mix | Equal parts vermiculite and perlite | NC State Extension |
| Alternative mix | Half coir, half vermiculite or perlite | Ask Extension (Washington) |
| Humidity | Clear plastic bag sealed with a twist tie | Ask Extension (Washington) |
| Growing temperature | Soil 65–70°F (18–21°C); leaf drop below 50°F (10°C) | NC State Extension |
When Should You Take Lipstick Plant Cuttings?
Spring is best. An Ask Extension expert answer says the most common method is stem cuttings taken in spring, and the RHS lists softwood cuttings in spring or semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Pick vigorous, non-flowering trailing stems. Trimming weak or overly long shoots, which the RHS recommends for shape, gives you plenty of material.
- Best: healthy, flexible stem tips with several leaf pairs.
- Avoid: stems with flowers, damage or leaf spot.
- Tools: clean, sharp scissors.
How Do You Take Lipstick Plant Cuttings Step by Step?
Count the leaf pairs. The Ask Extension answer says to cut a stem below the fourth set of leaves, remove the lower two sets, and keep the upper two. NC State Extension describes a three-node soft stem cutting. Either way, bury the bare nodes, where new roots form, and keep the leafy top above the mix.
- Cut a trailing stem below the third or fourth leaf pair.
- Remove the lower one or two leaf pairs.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- Insert the bare stem into pre-moistened mix.
- Mist the mix well.
- Seal the pot in a clear plastic bag.
- Place in a warm spot with indirect light.
Illinois Extension’s general houseplant guidance agrees: stem cuttings of 3–6 inches (7.5–15 cm) with at least two nodes but no more than six, with leaves removed below the soil line and the stem inserted 1–3 inches (2.5–7.5 cm) deep.
What Rooting Mix Do Lipstick Plant Cuttings Need?
An airy, moist one. NC State Extension recommends equal parts vermiculite and perlite kept moist, and the Ask Extension answer suggests half pre-moistened coir and half vermiculite or perlite. Both drain well yet hold humidity around the stem. Several cuttings can share one small pot to make a fuller hanging basket later.
Do Lipstick Plant Cuttings Need Rooting Hormone?
It helps. The Ask Extension answer recommends dipping the cut end in rooting hormone before planting, and Illinois Extension says stem cuttings may be dipped in rooting hormone powder before going into the media. Tap off the excess so only a thin coat remains. Our rooting hormone guide compares powders, gels and liquids.
How Do You Keep Lipstick Plant Cuttings Humid?
Bag them. The Ask Extension answer says to mist the mix, seal the container in a plastic bag with a twist tie, and keep it warm, adding that bottom heat is even better. It warns that direct sun will cook the cutting. If heavy condensation forms, poke a few holes in the bag so rot does not set in.
A humidity dome does the same job for a tray of lipstick plant cuttings.
How Long Do Lipstick Plant Cuttings Take to Root?
Often about one to two weeks. Illinois Extension says tender houseplant cuttings can root within a week, while those with tougher stems may take 10–14 days. Check by tugging gently, as the Ask Extension answer suggests: resistance means roots have formed. Illinois Extension says to pot cuttings individually once roots are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long.
Can You Root Lipstick Plant Cuttings in Water?
Some growers root lipstick plant stems in water, but the extension methods use a moist mix so roots form in the medium they will grow in. If you try water, keep the leaves above the surface, change the water often and pot up promptly. Our hoya in water guide covers another trailing houseplant rooted the same way.
How Do You Care for a New Lipstick Plant?
Give it warmth, humidity and airflow. NC State Extension says lipstick plants need bright indirect light, not full sun, and do best with soil at 65–70°F (18–21°C); leaves drop below 50°F (10°C). Water often but use well-drained mix, and keep humidity high with air circulation, since stagnant moist air invites Botrytis blight and leaf spot. A dilute orchid fertilizer encourages blooms.
Which Lipstick Plant Varieties Can You Grow From Cuttings?
Any healthy plant you own. NC State Extension lists cultivars such as ‘Mona Lisa’ with orange-red flowers, ‘Rasta’ with densely curled leaves and bright red flowers, and ‘Tangerine’ with orange-yellow flowers. Cuttings copy the parent exactly, so label each pot. In its native habitat, NC State notes, hummingbirds visit the tubular red flowers for nectar.
Why Are My Lipstick Plant Cuttings Rotting?
Too much water or too little air. The Ask Extension answer warns not to overwater and to vent the bag if condensation builds, and NC State Extension notes that stagnant, moist air encourages fungal disease. Remove any blackened cuttings, let the mix dry slightly, open the bag daily, and keep the pot out of direct sun.
FAQ About Lipstick Plant Cuttings
When should I take lipstick plant cuttings?
In spring, or with semi-ripe stems in summer.
How many nodes should a cutting have?
About three to four leaf nodes.
What mix should I use?
Equal parts vermiculite and perlite, kept moist.
Do lipstick plant cuttings need rooting hormone?
It is recommended and improves rooting.
How do I know the cutting has rooted?
Tug gently; resistance means roots.
What temperature do lipstick plants need?
Soil around 65–70°F (18–21°C), never below 50°F (10°C).
Sources
- North Carolina State Extension — Aeschynanthus radicans
- Ask Extension — How do I propagate this plant (#239064)
- Royal Horticultural Society — Aeschynanthus radicans
- University of Illinois Extension — Houseplant Cuttings
- Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons, edited with titles): Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) red by Mokkie (CC BY-SA 3.0); Aeschynanthus radicans by Michael Wolf (CC BY-SA 3.0); Aeschynanthus-radicans-SF25264-01 by Steve Fitzgerald (CC BY-SA 4.0)