Lipstick plant dies mainly due to root rot. Root rot is seen in Lipstick plants when the plant gets overwatered for a long while. Black spots are seen on the leaves of a Lipstick plant when the plant is infected by Botrytis disease. Lipstick plant fails to bloom when the plant doesn’t get adequate sunlight.
The lipstick plant is an indoor plant with shiny foliage and bright red tubular flowers. It gives an elegant look to your home.
Caring for a lipstick plant is easy. Sometimes the plant falls sick due to many reasons.
Let’s see why the plant runs into such issues and how to solve them.
Why is my Lipstick plant dropping leaves?
Your lipstick plant is dropping leaves mainly due to improper watering. Leaves become yellow and fall off when the plant is stuck in waterlogged conditions.
The leaves become yellow then brown and then fall off. Water the plant when the soil feels dry to the touch. You may need to check an inch of the topsoil with your fingers once a week.
Watering too often is not good for the plant too. Make sure the pot has holes at the bottom. Water often in the summer and only water when the soil is dry.
Root rot
The roots of the Lipstick plant get rotten when the plant sits in waterlogged soil for too long. Rotten roots can’t absorb water thus they can’t supply water to the essential parts of the plant.
To avoid root rot you need to use pots with drainage holes. You can also use the potting mix that drains excess water efficiently.
Lipstick plants love humidity, so be sure to mist it often. Misting helps especially when the air in your house is dry.
If you don’t water the plant sufficiently, then the leaves get wrinkled and fall off.
If you are worried about overwatering then plant them in smaller pots. If the vines of this plant are stiff/hard with no leaves, just trim them. They’re good for nothing.
Lipstick plant wrinkled leaves
Wrinkled leaves are seen on the Lipstick plant when it gets less water than needed. Leaves of such plants get wrinkled and fall off.
Feel the potting mix, is it completely dry? Water it immediately if the potting mix is bone dry.
You can also mist the plant occasionally to satiate the plant’s water needs. Water your Lipstick plant when the top two inches of soil feels dry to the touch.
Why is my Lipstick plant not blooming?
Lack of enough sunlight is the main reason why lipstick plants fail to bloom. Lipstick plant also fails to bloom when it doesn’t get enough nutrients.
Lipstick plants fail to absorb nutrients when the plant is sitting in waterlogged conditions. Check the soil to assess the condition.
Move the plant to a brighter spot or arrange artificial lighting. Add a weak dose of liquid fertilizer to the plant if you think the plant is hungry.
In the first month of growth feed it with all-purpose fertilizer and in the second month give it some flowering fertilizer.
Are your lipstick plant leaves turning purple?
Leaves turn purple when the plant is sun-stressed. Try to move them away from direct sunlight.
This condition isn’t really harmful to the plant, you might wanna reduce the light around the plant, if not the foliage gets bleached out.
If you don’t know where to place the plant, use the app called Planta.
This app lets you know the best place for placing/hanging your plant.
Why do the leaves on my lipstick plant get black spots?
Black spots on Lipstick plant leaves are caused by a fungus and the disease is called Botrytis. Quickly cut the affected leaves. Move the plant to a brighter and well-ventilated place.
Keep the plant away from other plants. Keep all the leaves dry. If the fungus infects again, then spray a fungicide or neem oil.
This disease spreads when there is too much moisture on the leaves. So, try to keep the leaves dry.
Are the tips of the lipstick plant drying out and dying?
Sometimes the tips of the vines may dry out and die. This can be identified early if you actively check on your plants.
This happens due to low humidity and happens during the dry winter.
You may want to use a humidifier near the plant. Misting can work well for this purpose too.
How often should you water a lipstick plant?
Watering your lipstick plant wisely ensures that you see a good bloom.
After years of experience with plants, I suggest you water the plant with ‘Aged water’.
What is aged water?
Aged water is tap water that is left open for at least 24 hours. This delay rids the water from harmful Chlorine.
Such water is safe and ideal for watering lipstick plants.
You can fill a can and keep it aside for a few days. Use it whenever needed and refill it for the next use.
Note: Keep the lipstick plant a little dry during the winter. Doing this will give you better blooms in the summer and spring.
Do lipstick plants need sun?
Avoid placing the lipstick plant in full sun or shade. It needs just enough sunlight to thrive and bloom.
Keep the plant in light for a few hours every day.
That’s it guys, Happy gardening :))