Lipstick 'Bolero Bicolore' is a stunning succulent with dramatic deep burgundy and cream foliage that demands attention in any collection. This compact, low-maintenance beauty thrives with minimal fuss and rewards patient growers with impressive seasonal color shifts.
Image: @Khairil Azhar Junos
Basic Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Aeonium arboreum 'Bolero Bicolore' |
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Plant Type | Succulent perennial |
| Mature Size | 8 to 12 inches tall, 6 to 10 inches wide |
| Sun Exposure | Bright indirect light, some direct sun |
| Soil Type | Well-draining cactus or succulent mix |
| Soil pH | 6.0 to 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral) |
| Bloom Time | Late winter to early spring |
| Flower | Yellow star-shaped flowers |
| Hardiness Zones | 10 to 11 |
| Native Area | Canary Islands |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to pets and humans |
Should we grow Lipstick 'Bolero Bicolore' indoors or outdoors?
Indoors, this rosette succulent shines near a bright window where it'll maintain its striking bicolor foliage. You'll want to rotate it occasionally to ensure even growth, and it adapts well to typical household conditions year-round.
Outdoors, Lipstick 'Bolero Bicolore' thrives in mild climates (zones 10 to 11) on patios and garden beds with protection from intense afternoon heat. In areas with freezing winters, it's best kept as a container plant you can move indoors when temperatures dip below 40°F.
General Care
1. Lighting
Bright indirect light keeps this beauty happiest, though it also enjoys some direct sun (especially morning rays) to enhance its deep burgundy tones. If your plant starts looking pale or stretches toward the light, it's telling you it needs brighter conditions. A south or west-facing window is usually ideal.
2. Watering
Water Lipstick ‘Bolero Bicolore’ when approximately the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feel dry.
Water thoroughly until excess moisture drains from the bottom of the container, then empty the saucer. The soil should remain lightly moist during active growth but never continuously wet.
Reduce watering during fall and winter as growth slows and the potting mix takes longer to dry.
Avoid following a strict weekly watering schedule. Light, temperature, humidity, and pot size all affect how quickly the soil dries.
3. Soil & Fertilizer
Use a loose, well-draining potting mix that allows plenty of airflow around the roots.
A tropical houseplant mix amended with orchid bark and perlite works well. Because Lipstick Plants naturally have an epiphytic growth habit, dense soil that remains wet for long periods can cause root problems.
During spring and summer, feed with a diluted balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer about once a month.
Reduce or stop fertilizing during winter when growth slows.
4. Temperature & Humidity
Lipstick ‘Bolero Bicolore’ prefers temperatures around 65 to 80°F.
Avoid cold drafts, air-conditioning vents, and sudden temperature changes. Warm, stable indoor conditions support healthy growth and flowering.
Moderate to high humidity is beneficial, particularly when new growth or flower buds are developing. Around 50% humidity or higher works well, although the plant can adapt to average household conditions.
If indoor air is especially dry, a humidifier can help. Avoid compensating for dry air by keeping the soil constantly wet.
5. Toxicity
Lipstick Plants are generally considered pet-friendly houseplants. Lipstick Plant, specifically Aeschynanthus humilis, as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Pets should still be discouraged from chewing the foliage, since eating large amounts of plant material may cause digestive discomfort.
Extra Care
1. Potting & Repotting
Choose a container with drainage holes.
Hanging pots work especially well because they allow the stems to cascade naturally, but a regular pot placed on a high shelf is also suitable.
Repot approximately every two to three years or when roots become crowded and the soil begins draining poorly. Move only one pot size larger at a time.
Lipstick Plants can grow and flower well when slightly root-bound, so frequent repotting is unnecessary.
2. Pruning
Regular light pruning helps maintain a fuller plant.Trim long or leggy stems with clean scissors, preferably after flowering or during active spring growth.
Removing weak or damaged growth can also improve the plant’s overall shape. Healthy trimmed stems can be saved for propagation.
3. Propagation
Lipstick ‘Bolero Bicolore’ can be propagated from stem cuttings.
Take a healthy cutting with several nodes and remove the lower leaves. Root the cutting in water, moist sphagnum moss, or a light, well-draining potting medium.
Warm temperatures, bright indirect light, and consistent light moisture support root development.
4. Blooming
The tubular flowers are one of the most distinctive features of Lipstick ‘Bolero Bicolore’.
Bright filtered light is especially important for reliable flowering. Plants growing in low light may continue producing leaves but develop few or no flowers.
Light feeding during active growth and stable warm temperatures can also support bud development.
Avoid repeatedly moving the plant once flower buds begin forming. Sudden changes in light, temperature, or watering can sometimes cause bud drop.
5. Seasonal Care Tips
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Fall and Winter: Reduce watering and fertilizer as growth slows. Keep the plant in bright filtered light and away from cold windows or drafts.
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Spring & Summer: Monitor soil moisture more frequently, fertilize lightly during active growth, and provide plenty of bright indirect light. This is also the best period for pruning, propagation, and repotting.
Common Problems
Root rot is the biggest threat, usually caused by overwatering or poor drainage. If you notice mushy stems or foul-smelling soil, remove the plant from its pot, trim away blackened roots, and repot in fresh, dry soil. Mealybugs and spider mites occasionally appear indoors, but a quick spray with insecticidal soap usually clears them up.
Image: @S Garden
Succulents Box's Tips
- Rotate your plant every couple of weeks so it grows evenly instead of leaning toward the light source.
- The burgundy color deepens in cooler weather and brighter light, so autumn and winter growth stages are often the most visually striking.
- Let the soil dry out completely between waterings; if in doubt, wait another day before watering.
- Keep this succulent away from heating vents and cold drafts, which can stress the foliage.
- Pair it with a pot that has drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the roots.
Q&A for Lipstick 'Bolero Bicolore'
Where to buy Lipstick ‘Bolero Bicolore’ online?
If you're looking to buy Lipstick ‘Bolero Bicolore’ online, Succulents Box is one of the top sources for succulents and houseplants in the U.S., with our own greenhouses in California. We ship directly to your door with a live plant guarantee.
We also offer a wide variety of succulents and houseplants to pair with Lipstick ‘Bolero Bicolore’. Visit Succulents Box to explore our full collection.
