Aeschynanthus

Lipstick Vine

Native to humid rainforests of SE Asia where it grows as an epiphyite from trees and cracks in rocks

Position - in a warm room in 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.

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

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

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

Avoid sudden temperature fluctuations