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Pale Leaves in Lipstick Plant

verifiedReviewed by the GreenScout Team

A trailing epiphytic plant with glossy, dark green leaves and striking tubular red flowers that emerge from deep burgundy calyces resembling lipstick tubes

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Lipstick Plant care requirements

These care conditions are most relevant to pale leaves in Lipstick Plant. Check each one as a potential cause.

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Light
Bright, indirect light; needs 4–6 hours of indirect sun daily to produce flowers. Too little light reduces blooming
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Fertiliser
Feed every 2 weeks during growing season with diluted flowering fertilizer; reduce to monthly or stop in winter
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Water
Keep soil consistently moist but well-draining during growing season; reduce watering in winter. Avoid waterlogging
symptoms

Symptoms to look for in Lipstick Plant

  • fiber_manual_recordWashed-out, pale colour
  • fiber_manual_recordYellowing between veins
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Common causes in Lipstick Plant

  • fiber_manual_recordIron deficiency
  • fiber_manual_recordMagnesium deficiency
  • fiber_manual_recordToo much direct sun
  • fiber_manual_recordAlkaline soil
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How to diagnose pale leaves in Lipstick Plant

Interveinal yellowing on new growth = iron deficiency. On old growth = magnesium deficiency.

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How to treat pale leaves in Lipstick Plant

Apply chelated iron or Epsom salt as appropriate. Adjust soil pH.

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Preventing pale leaves in Lipstick Plant

Use ericaceous compost for acid-loving plants. Feed with micronutrient fertiliser.

Other Lipstick Plant problems