How to grow and care for the lipstick plant, a herbaceous flowering plant
The lipstick plant, also known as huamanicao or kouhonghua (lipstick flower), is a perennial evergreen trailing herbaceous flowering plant in the genus Aeschynanthus of the family Gesneriaceae. The lipstick plant gets its name because its leaves are shaped much like a lipstick, and it is native to South Africa. Its leaves are thick and fleshy, bright and emerald green, which is why it often ranks among the top sellers of potted flowers in flower markets, making it an excellent choice among trailing flowering plants for the home.
Besides being grown as a potted ornamental and for purifying indoor air, the lipstick plant also has certain medicinal value:
1. To treat bruises and injuries: grind the dried whole plant of the lipstick plant into powder, take 9 grams per dose, and take it warm with wine.
2. To treat swelling and pain from bruises: pound the leaves of the lipstick plant into a paste, fry them with wine until hot, and apply to the affected area.
3. To treat wind-toxin nodules that persist for a long time without dispersing: wash the fresh whole plant of the lipstick plant, roots and all, mix with glutinous rice and a little table salt, pound into a paste, and apply to the affected area.
4. To treat cough from lung heat: 30 grams of lipstick plant root, 30 grams of rock sugar, decoct in water and take.
In addition, the price of the lipstick plant is very affordable. A potted lipstick plant costs about 20—30 yuan, so friends who like growing a few flowers and plants might consider buying a pot of lipstick plant to take home.
Although the lipstick plant you bring home is not prone to pests and diseases, when growing it you still need to pay attention to methods such as soil selection, watering, pruning and propagation, as well as matters such as light, temperature, waterlogging and scorching sun.
I. Soil selection method
For the lipstick plant, loose and fertile sandy loam is best, and drainage must be good. For potting soil, slightly acidic soil is preferable; you can use a potting mix made from peat soil, sand and vermiculite, and add an appropriate amount of superphosphate.
II. Watering method
The potting soil should be kept moist at all times, but never allow water to accumulate in the pot, as this can cause root rot. From March to September, during the peak growth period, the plant needs more water, so water and mist frequently to increase humidity; in autumn, as the weather gradually turns cool, gradually reduce the amount of watering and fertilizing. In winter, the potting soil should be kept slightly dry.
III. Pruning method
During vigorous growth, you can pinch off the growing tips appropriately to encourage branching. After the winter flowering period ends, promptly cut off the spent stems that have already flowered, which saves nutrients, encourages new shoots, and helps the plant produce more buds and flowers.
IV. Propagation method
The lipstick plant can be propagated by cuttings. Spring and autumn are the suitable seasons. Select robust, thick branches and cut them into segments of 7-10 cm each, then insert them into loose sandy soil, or into a growing medium made of 50% fine snake wood shavings, 20% perlite and 30% coarse sand. Keep appropriate humidity, provide about 50-60% sunlight, and after about 30-40 days roots will develop and seedlings will form. Once the root system grows vigorously, transplant them into pots or cultivate them in flower beds.
V. Light and temperature
a. Light
It prefers a semi-shaded environment. Throughout the year, except when the strong light at noon in midsummer should be properly shaded, it should be given ample light at other times, especially in winter. If the light at its location is too strong or insufficient, the leaves will easily turn pale green or yellow-green.
b. Temperature
The lipstick plant should be placed in a cool, well-ventilated spot, and care should be taken to maintain environmental humidity. Avoid continuous high temperature and high humidity; poor drainage and ventilation will cause rot. The lipstick plant is not cold-tolerant and must be brought indoors to overwinter.
If the room temperature is suitable, the lipstick plant's flowering period will be concentrated from December to February of the following year. If the lipstick plant does not bloom at this time, it means the growing method is definitely wrong. It may be due to improper water and fertilizer, or it may be light, temperature, pest invasion, and so on. In addition, during the growing process the lipstick plant may also show symptoms such as leaf drop, which is 70% likely due to a watering problem, and at this time of year the lipstick plant must not be exposed to scorching sun and should be shaded appropriately.
VII. Four major precautions
a. Avoid waterlogging; this point must be noted, as waterlogging will cause the lipstick plant to wither and rot.
b. Avoid scorching sun exposure. The lipstick plant prefers a semi-shaded environment. Although it needs ample light, if the light is too intense it is not conducive to growth, especially in summer.
c. During the lipstick plant's flowering period, apply less nitrogen fertilizer, increase the intensity of indoor light, and keep the room temperature relatively low; this promotes flowering.
d. After the winter flowering period ends, promptly cut off the spent stems that have already flowered, which saves nutrients and encourages new shoots.