Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus) Bloom and Pruning Guide

Getting Lipstick Plants to Flower and Stay Compact

Your mother’s Aeschynanthus lobbianus and 'Mona Lisa' aren’t blooming well. She also asks about pruning.

Bloom Requirements

• Bright light year-round – but protect from hot midday sun.
• Small pot – they bloom best when pot-bound.
• Warm temps – never below mid-60s°F (≈18°C), even in winter.
• Even moisture – too wet or too dry prevents buds. Let top 1-2 inches dry, then water thoroughly. In winter, allow top inch or two to dry before watering.

Pruning for Better Blooms

• Younger plants bloom better. Regular pruning keeps the plant “young.”
• Unpruned plants become leggy.
• Best time: When no buds are forming.
• How: Cut longest stems back to several inches above soil. New growth starts at the cut point, so cut low to encourage central fullness.

With bright light, a snug pot, warm temps, careful watering, and periodic hard pruning, lipstick plants will bloom reliably.