This is a lovely plant for the home and is easy to maintain. It has small variegated leaves and red blooms. It benefits greatly from being placed outdoors for the summer months. Be sure to cut the leaves back after blooming to maintain its neat size and appearance.

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Aeschynanthus micranthus is an epiphytic plant with long, trailing stems and small leaves and flowers. Like other plants of the species, it requires bright light, but no direct sun, which will burn the foliage. The plant also requires a well draining potting medium and likes to dry out somewhat between waterings. There are some varieties of Aeschynanthus that are less drought tolerant, but A. micranthus does not like to have saturated roots. Therefore, a well-draining soil is very important to prevent root rot. Aeschynanthus plants get the common name of "Lipstick Plant" because of the shape of the flower buds, which resemble lipstick tubes, with the bloom rising out of the tube.

I have three Aeschynanthus plants that hang in a backyard tree from March through November and although I've read that they prefer cooler temperatures, mine seem to thrive in our heat and high humidity. I must admit that I am extremely lax about fertilizing any plant. I usually have good intentions, but life always seems to get in the way. I may be good about feeding plants one year and then go two years without feeding them at all. Some Aeschynanthus plants bloom during the early spring, but my A. micranthus plant has been blooming for the past two hot and humid months this summer.

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