I'm having a problem with my Lipstick plant and looking for advice.
It has been doing well and conditions seem ok - strong indirect light, warm, average humidity. It has been putting out new shoots from the top and the long tips have been growing with new growth, however the problems start whenever I water it.

It was getting dry (though still green and growing), so watered as normal, about a day later all the green tips had turned black and died. I've trimmed some off but they no longer grow.
Because of this I've been worried to water, thinking I had overdone it, so left it much longer this time as it was staying damp.
Noticed lots of new green shoots on the top, but the soil was very dry this time and vines started shrivelling. Watered again and now all the new tiny shoots have gone black and died (except one).
I have no idea what I'm doing wrong, I can't not water as it was getting desperate.
Any advice appreciated.

Hi & welcome!

Hmmm... Maybe @joannakat might have some suggestion. I know she has an amazing lipstick plant. The way I did her name, she will get an invitation to look at this discussion the next time she gets on this site. Best luck!

Hi @peakachu, and thanks Tiffany!

I really have no idea what might be going on here. Is it possible that it needs transplanting? Are you using plant food or fertilizer on it? Perhaps a bit too much, or too frequently? Mine seems to thrive on neglect. Also, you want to be sure that you're not over watering it, don't let the pot sit in water. Have you checked for any little buggies?

These are all the things I would look for if I were having the problems you describe. Maybe someone else will have more specific advice

Wish I could be more helpful.

Tiffany, how is your baby doing?

Doing great! You wouldn't recognize it. I'll take a pic of it in the next day or two to show you.

purpleinopp said: Doing great! You wouldn't recognize it. I'll take a pic of it in the next day or two to show you.

Yaay! Can't wait! Mine is putting out new flowers...again!

Yay new blooms!

I got up and took a pic. Did something to my back yesterday so that's why getting up was a big deal. So frustrating. Today was supposed to be plant day.

The brown spots are from some mechanical damage while in the box. Aside from that, you would never know it went through that experience. I hope you think it looks as great as I do.


Not really enough light for the friend I stuck in there, just running out of places to stick more of that.

purpleinopp said: Yay new blooms!

I got up and took a pic. Did something to my back yesterday so that's why getting up was a big deal. So frustrating. Today was supposed to be plant day.

The brown spots are from some mechanical damage while in the box. Aside from that, you would never know it went through that experience. I hope you think it looks as great as I do.


Not really enough light for the friend I stuck in there, just running out of places to stick more of that.

I'm impressed! So glad the cuttings worked! Sorry about the transport damage. I did my best.

And so sorry about your back! Hope you feel better soon. Remember that this plant likes to be pinched back. You should have some flowers soon enough!

@peakachu, I forgot to ask you if your lipstick plant is outdoors or indoors?

Hi thank you for the replies.
The plant is indoors.
Not sure if it needs repotting - it was new from the garden centre and thriving in the current soil about 8 months ago. I haven't ever used any fertilizer or plant food on it, as it's new, and growing without it.
In terms of pests I have noticed some very fine cobwebs around the macrame but attributed it to normal money spiders. I guess if it had spidermite the new shoots wouldn't grow at all.

During gaps in watering (which are quite big as it doesn't seem to drink much) it does seem to grow well and even put a bright red flower out at the beginning of summer.

The key factor seems to be watering. Whenever I water, anything new dies off. Though I always wait till it's extemely dry, because it still looks like it's growing while dry.
I live in London, which is very hard and very chlorinated water so thought this could be a factor, so switched to collected dehumidifier water but the same thing happened.

The pot itself has raised drainage holes in the centre, and closed bottom bits. I have it sat in a drip tray in the macrame so excess water is collected in that and should mean it isn't sat in water due to the opening being raised. (see my amazing paint drawing! )

Though thinking about it, maybe the water gets trapped at the lowest points, that don't have drainage holes meaning it would have trapped excess water in that case?? Not sure why the pot is designed this way.
May also explain why the soil stays wet for a long time between waterings.

It's possible that the pot is one of those meant to be placed on a deck rail or something similar, although the ones I have have drainage holes in the lower portions.

What I suggest you do in order to get more attention to your question is to post it in the Ask a Question forum. You'll find it here: https://garden.org/apps/ask/

Usually, you'll get several experts answering questions there. I'm sure there are people who can be far more helpful than myself at this point. But please do come back and let us know how it's going! I hope you'll find a solution. It can be such an enjoyable plant!

Joanna, I think a couple marks in a single leaf is an amazing result of a plant having gone through the mail. I was admiring your packing skills, not at all complaining.

The leaves are so interesting to touch. Almost like a succulent.

purpleinopp said: Joanna, I think a couple marks in a single leaf is an amazing result of a plant having gone through the mail. I was admiring your packing skills, not at all complaining.

The leaves are so interesting to touch. Almost like a succulent.

Understood. And yes, it does feel almost like a succulent! I've been thinking that for years! Very enjoyable to touch. Can't wait until yours has flowers, you're going to love it! I've also heard it referred to as a dolphin plant.

: ) Excitement!