Lipstick Black Pagoda
Dark, exotic, and utterly unlike anything else in your plant collection — the Lipstick Black Pagoda is a botanical curiosity that combines dramatic foliage with spectacular tubular blooms in a way that stops people in their tracks. Its thick, waxy leaves are a deep olive-green on top with striking dark purple-maroon undersides — a mottled, almost reptilian pattern that makes the foliage itself a showpiece. Then, when it blooms, vivid orange-red tubular flowers emerge from dark calyxes like tiny lit torches. A trailing vine that is simultaneously strange, beautiful, and absolutely unforgettable.
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🌿 Why Black Pagoda is a Must for Collectors
- Dramatic Two-Tone Foliage — Deep olive-green mottled tops with rich purple-maroon undersides — a striking visual contrast.
- Spectacular Tubular Blooms — Vivid orange-red flowers emerge from dark calyxes for a dramatic, torch-like floral display.
- Rare Collector Variety — Significantly less common than standard lipstick plants; a true conversation piece.
- Easy Trailing Habit — Cascades beautifully from hanging baskets or shelves.
- Pet Note: Generally considered non-toxic to pets, but keep out of reach as a precaution.
🌱 Plant Profile
- Botanical Name: Aeschynanthus longicaulis
- Common Names: Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant, Mottled Aeschynanthus
- Origin: Southeast Asia
- Mature Size: Trails 2–3 feet
- Foliage: Thick waxy; olive-green mottled tops, purple-maroon undersides
☀️ Care at a Glance
- Light: Bright indirect light. More light encourages blooming.
- Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings. Tolerates some drought.
- Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity; mist occasionally.
- Temperature: 65–85°F. Keep away from cold drafts.
- Fertilizer: Feed monthly during spring and summer; high-phosphorus fertilizer boosts blooming.
🌿 Pro Tip: Bright indirect light is the key to triggering Black Pagoda’s spectacular blooms. If it’s not flowering, move it closer to a bright window and feed with a high-phosphorus fertilizer during the growing season.
