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Why are there spots on the leaves of my Lipstick Plant?

Lipstick plants are susceptible to foliar fungal issues and it’s important to properly water. Here are some great tips to prevent this from happening to your plant.

Watering

Evenly water the soil of the plant until it flows out of the drainage hole. Take care to water just the soil and never the leaves. Another option is bottom-watering. 

  • Fill a sink or tub with 2″-4″ of water, depending on the size of your plant.
  • Set the plant in the water without the saucer to allow it to soak the water from the bottom. Let the plant sit in the water for at least 30 minutes.
  • After the 30 minutes is up, feel the top of the soil to see if it has soaked up enough water. If it needs a little more time, let it sit for an additional 15-30 minutes, or water slightly from the top of the soil.
  • Drain the sink and let the plant rest and allow the water to trickle from the bottom.
  • Place the plant back on the saucer making sure there is no standing water.

Humidity

We recommend you do not mist these plants since this can encourage water droplets sitting on the leaves, which can make the plant susceptible to fungal problems. If your home is dry, try adding a pebble tray or placing a humidifier nearby. 

Airflow

In outdoor environments, rainfall and overhead watering are typically not an issue due to wind and naturally higher airflow. You can try to mimic this extra airflow with a nearby fan on a low setting.

Pruning 

Whether grown indoors or outdoors, you should remove spent flowers which can harbor fungal foliar issues if left to decay on the plant. Always use sharp clean scissors or shears and clean them after every use. 

Need more help?

We're confident your Lipstick Plant will be back to normal in no-time, but if you've followed the steps above and things just aren't improving you can contact us here.