Aeschynanthus radicans 'Rasta' (Curly Lipstick Plant)

The 'Rasta' lipstick plant is a cultivar of Aeschynanthus radicans selected for one very distinctive trait: its leaves grow in a dense, spiraling, almost twisted arrangement that gives the trailing vines a texture unlike any other houseplant. Each vine is packed with curled, glossy dark green leaves that cluster together in a way that recalls a Hoya Hindu rope plant, but with the added bonus of the lipstick plant's signature bright red flowers emerging from dark maroon tubular buds. The name comes from those buds, which look remarkably like a tube of lipstick before the flower opens.

This is a trailer that earns its place in a hanging basket or on a high shelf where the cascading vines can be appreciated at length. It's not a subtle plant: the twisting foliage draws attention even without flowers, and when the blooms appear in late summer, the contrast of red against deep green is vivid and striking. The curled leaves also make it an interesting conversation piece for plant collectors who want something genuinely different.

Grow in bright indirect light and water when the top half of the potting mix dries out. Aeschynanthus are native to humid tropical forests, so they appreciate some ambient humidity, though they're more forgiving than ferns. Avoid cold drafts and temperatures below 60 degrees F.