Aeschynanthus

Lipstick Vine

Native to humid rainforests of SE Asia; many different varieties grows as epiphyites from trees and cracks in rocks,

producing many clusters of successive trumpet shaped flowers

Position - in a warm room in bright but filtered light, avoiding direct sun on the leaves.

Water - allow top couple of inches to dry between waterings, keeping rootball just moist. These prefer rainwater.

Never allow pot to sit in water as roots will rot

Humidity - maintain higher humidity in warmer months

Feed - apply weak liquid fertiliser monthly from spring to autumn

Only grow in very loose soil, heavy compaction may cause roots to rot.

A cool and drier period in late winter will help to promote more blooms

These will bloom for a long period, mostly from spring to late sumer

Cut stems back by a third after flowering to encourage more bushy growth

Avoid sudden temperature fluctuations