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Aeschynanthus 'Hot Flash'

Image of Aeschynanthus 'Hot Flash'

Family

Gesnariaceae

Botanical Name

Aeschynanthus 'Hot Flash'

Plant Common Name

Basket Vine, Hot Flash Lipstick Plant, Lipstick Plant

General Description

One of the prettiest and easiest to grow of the lipstick plants, 'Hot Flash' is a compact plant with large orange-red blooms with light color striations. The flowers are held upright in clusters at the ends of the branches. This vigorous, floriferous hybrid is a cross between Aeschynanthus evrardii and Aeschynanthus hildebrandii and a favorite plant for containers or hanging baskets. It was hybridized by B. Schwarz in 1984.

This tropical is a semi-trailing evergreen perennial with fleshy, narrowly elliptical, leaves held opposite of each other in pairs. Its brilliant flowers are the star of the show. The curved, orangish red, striated flowers and held in clusters near the branch tips. The two-lipped flowers extend like lipstick from a tube. The heaviest blooming occurs from winter through summer, though intermittent blooms will appear throughout the year. The fruits are long, linear capsules filled with seeds topped with long hairs that are carried by wind.

Aeschynanthus ‘Hot Flash’ is frost tender and best grown in warm greenhouses, conservatories and sun rooms where not hardy. It prefers bright filtered light and fertile, well-drained potting medium. Low light conditions inhibit blooming. Allow this tropical to dry between watering and keep it on the dry side after its put forth its main flush of flowers and fruits. Lipstick plant can be grown as a shade-loving in-ground or container specimen in frost-free zones.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 10

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    14 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2

  • Plant Type

    Tender Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    8"-12" / 20.3cm - 30.5cm

  • Width

    12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Prostrate/Trailing

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Red, Orange Red

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Striped

  • Fruit Color

    Green, Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Hanging Basket, Houseplant, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    No