Aeschynanthus Marmoratus "Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant" 20cmHanging Basket

Aeschynanthus Marmoratus (20cm Hanging Basket)

Product Description Aeschynanthus marmoratus, commonly known as the Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant or Zebra Basket Vine, is an exquisite trailing tropical perennial celebrated for its dramatic, intricately patterned foliage. Suspended in a generous 20cm hanging basket, its cascading stems are densely clothed in waxy, lance-shaped leaves featuring a striking marbled pattern of deep olive green and pale yellow-green on top, contrasted by a rich, mottled purple-maroon underside.

In addition to its decorative foliage, mature plants produce clusters of unusual, tubular yellowish-green blossoms tipped with orange and brown calyces throughout the warmer months. Naturally epiphytic, this lush trailing specimen thrives in high-humidity indoor settings, covered verandas, or sheltered garden rooms, making it a showstopping living curtain for bright patio eaves, plant brackets, and indoor hanging displays.

Plant Names

• Botanical Name: Aeschynanthus marmoratus (syn. Aeschynanthus longicaulis)
• Common Names: Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant, Zebra Basket Vine, Marbled Lipstick Plant

Product Details

• Container Size: 20cm hanging basket with clip-on hanger
• Plant Type: Evergreen trailing epiphyte / hanging foliage plant
• Flowers: Tubular greenish-yellow flowers emerge in small clusters from deep maroon-brown calyces
• Foliage: Thick, leathery, arching leaves with dark green and lime marbling above, and deep purple-maroon mottled patterns below
• Growth Habit: Cascading, trailing vine forming a full, weeping canopy
• Mature Size: Trailing stems typically reach 60cm to 1m in length with a 40cm to 50cm basket spread
• Light Requirements: Medium to bright indirect light (protect strictly from direct midday sun to avoid leaf scorch)
• Watering Needs: Moderate; allow the top 2–3cm of potting medium to dry out slightly between waterings; avoid standing in waterlogged soil
• Soil Preference: Light, airy, well-draining epiphytic potting mix rich in peat moss, perlite, and fine bark chips
• Position: Hanging patio hooks, protected verandas, bright indoor living spaces, atrium corners, and shaded garden gazebos

Benefits

🌿 Dramatic Marbled Foliage: High-contrast leaf patterns with deep purple undersides provide striking multi-tonal interest

🪴 Established 20cm Hanging Display: Full, multi-stemmed mature basket delivers immediate trailing volume and cascading impact

💧 Naturally Adaptable Epiphyte: Forgiving and resilient when given bright indirect light and good soil aeration

🌸 Unique Floral Clusters: Produces curious tubular blooms that peek through trailing stems in the warm season

✨ Pest & Disease Resilient: Naturally tough, waxy foliage exhibits strong resistance to common houseplant pests

Care & Maintenance

• Light: Position in bright, filtered light or dappled shade. Direct harsh sunlight will fade leaf contrast and burn foliage, while deep shade slows stem elongation.
• Watering: Water thoroughly until water drains freely from the base of the basket, then allow the top third of the mix to dry out before watering again. Reduce water frequency slightly in resting periods.
• Humidity: Appreciates moderate to high ambient humidity; mist occasionally during hot, dry spells or position near other leafy plants.
• Feeding: Feed every 4 weeks during spring and summer with a balanced water-soluble houseplant or orchid fertiliser diluted to half strength.
• Grooming: Pinch back stem tips occasionally to encourage denser, bushier growth around the crown of the basket.