Painted Lipstick Plant Plant Care

Painted Lipstick Plant (Excoecaria grahamii) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family within the Excoecaria genus. Painted Lipstick Plant is native to western tropical Africa. Painted Lipstick Plant is also known as Redbird Cactus.

Painted Lipstick Plant displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Painted Lipstick Plant produces inconspicuous flowers, prized for colorful foliage.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Painted Lipstick Plant every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Painted Lipstick Plant thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Painted Lipstick Plant in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Excoecaria grahamii tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Painted Lipstick Plant prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Painted Lipstick Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Painted Lipstick Plant every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Painted Lipstick Plant is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Painted Lipstick Plant can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Painted Lipstick Plant while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Painted Lipstick Plant is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Painted Lipstick Plant can be propagated through stem cuttings, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to excoecaria benthamiana plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Painted Lipstick Plant is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Painted Lipstick Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Painted Lipstick Plant is native to western tropical Africa. In cooler regions, grow Painted Lipstick Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.