lipstick plant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareSpecialist / Horticultural / Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “lipstick plant” mean?
A tropical climbing plant with tubular, red flowers that resemble a tube of lipstick.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tropical climbing plant with tubular, red flowers that resemble a tube of lipstick.
A popular houseplant belonging to the genus Aeschynanthus, specifically Aeschynanthus radicans, prized for its vibrant, waxy red flowers and trailing vines.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage; the term is identical in both varieties. It is a common name, not a scientific one.
Connotations
Connotes domestic decoration, hobbyist gardening, and vibrant visual appeal.
Frequency
Equally rare in both dialects, used almost exclusively within the context of houseplants and horticulture.
Grammar
How to Use “lipstick plant” in a Sentence
N/AVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lipstick plant” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The lipstick-plant cuttings rooted easily.
American English
- She preferred a lipstick-plant variety with darker leaves.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the horticultural trade and by plant retailers.
Academic
Used in botanical texts describing the Gesneriaceae family.
Everyday
Used by houseplant owners and in casual conversation about gardening.
Technical
Used with its scientific name; 'lipstick plant' is the common name.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lipstick plant”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lipstick plant”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lipstick plant”
- Using 'lipstick plant' as a general term for any red-flowered plant.
- Spelling as 'lip-stick plant' (hyphen usually omitted).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is considered moderately easy, requiring bright indirect light, humidity, and well-draining soil.
Because the unopened red flower bud emerges from a dark calyx tube, resembling a lipstick in its case.
Only in frost-free, tropical or subtropical climates (USDA zones 11-12); it is predominantly an indoor plant.
Typically, no. It is grown for its striking visual appearance rather than fragrance.
A tropical climbing plant with tubular, red flowers that resemble a tube of lipstick.
Lipstick plant is usually specialist / horticultural / colloquial in register.
Lipstick plant: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɪp.stɪk ˌplɑːnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɪp.stɪk ˌplænt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a tiny plant wearing bright red lipstick on the tips of its vines.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORM IS FUNCTION (The flower's form evokes a cosmetic object).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'lipstick plant' primarily known as?