Aeschynanthus longicaulis ‘Black Pagoda’ – Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant

Striking Mottled Foliage with Exotic Lipstick-Red Blooms

Aeschynanthus longicaulis ‘Black Pagoda’, commonly known as the Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant, is a dramatic trailing houseplant prized for its unique patterned foliage and vibrant tubular flowers. Its olive-green leaves are beautifully marbled with dark green and purple tones, creating a bold, almost reptile-like pattern that sets it apart from other lipstick plant varieties.

When in bloom, bright red tubular flowers emerge from dark buds that resemble a tube of lipstick—giving the plant its playful common name. Combined with its cascading growth habit, this tropical beauty makes a perfect statement in hanging baskets, elevated planters, or shelves.

Why You’ll Love It

• Unique Foliage: Mottled green leaves with purple undersides create a striking tropical look.
• Showy Blooms: Bright red lipstick-shaped flowers appear throughout the growing season.
• Perfect for Hanging Displays: Naturally trailing vines create lush cascading foliage.
• Beginner Friendly: Adaptable and relatively easy to grow indoors.

Plant Profile

• Botanical Name: Aeschynanthus longicaulis
• Common Name: Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant
• Family: Gesneriaceae
• Native Range: Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand)
• Growth Habit: Trailing / vining
• Mature Length: Vines can reach 2–3 feet indoors

Ed’s Care Guide

Care Level: Easy

Light: Prefers bright to medium indirect light. Avoid harsh direct sunlight.

Water: Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry between waterings. Avoid soggy soil.

Humidity: Thrives in average to moderately humid environments.

Temperature: Ideal temperatures range between 65–85°F.

Soil: Well-draining potting mix with good aeration.

Feeding: Fertilize monthly during spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.

Pruning: Trim vines after flowering to maintain shape and encourage fuller growth.

Propagation: Easily propagated through stem cuttings.

Common Pests: Occasionally susceptible to aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs.

Toxicity: Generally considered non-toxic to pets and humans, though ingestion should still be discouraged.

A Tropical Hanging Plant Favorite

In its native rainforest habitat, Aeschynanthus species grow as epiphytic vines on tree branches where they receive filtered sunlight and warm humidity. Indoors, the Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant recreates that tropical aesthetic with minimal care requirements, rewarding growers with unique foliage and seasonal bursts of bright red blooms.

This exotic trailing plant is perfect for adding texture, color, and movement to indoor plant collections.