Lipstick
Plant.

Lipstick plant is safe— but string-of-pearls is not.

Yes — lipstick plant is safe for cats. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic.

But here's a critical warning: String-of-pearls looks similar to lipstick plant — both are trailing houseplants with small-leafed vines — but string-of-pearls is toxic to cats. When shopping for trailing plants, verify the species before buying.

ASPCA Data

According to the ASPCA:

Toxic Principles: Non-toxic. (Listed under Plants Non-Toxic to Cats.)

Lipstick plant carries no toxins and is completely safe.

The Trailing Plant Disambiguation

| Plant Name | Latin Name | Appearance | Toxicity | Family | |---|---|---|---|---| | Lipstick Plant | Aeschynanthus humilis | Dark waxy leaves, red flowers | Safe | Gesneraceae | | String-of-Pearls | Senecio rowleyanus | Tiny round bead-like leaves | Toxic | Asteraceae | | Wax Plant | Hoya spp. | Thick waxy leaves, pink/white flowers | Safe | Apocynaceae |

Key visual difference: Lipstick plant has large, dark, waxy leaves with red tubular flowers. String-of-pearls has tiny, round, bead-like succulent leaves. Know this difference before you shop.

What You're Growing

Lipstick plant is a trailing houseplant with:

• Dark, waxy leaves — Glossy, attractive, low-maintenance foliage
• Tubular red flowers — Resembles a lipstick tube (hence the name)
• Trailing vine growth — Cascades beautifully from hanging baskets
• Slow to moderate growth — Steady but not aggressive
• Alternative names — Lipstick Vine, Basket Vine, Aeschynanthus

It's a popular houseplant because it's easy to grow, visually appealing, and safe for homes with cats and dogs.

Growing Lipstick Plant

Light: Bright, indirect light. East-facing windows work well. Avoid direct hot sun, which scorches the leaves. Low light reduces blooming.

Water: Keep soil lightly moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Reduce watering in winter. Avoid letting the plant dry out completely.

Humidity: Tropical plant — appreciates moderate to higher humidity. Mist the leaves occasionally or use a pebble tray with water underneath the pot.

Trailing: Lipstick plant trails naturally. Hang it in a basket, place it on a high shelf, or use a trailing planter where the vines can cascade. This displays both the foliage and flowers beautifully.

Temperature: Prefers warm conditions (65–75°F). Protect from cold drafts.

Safe for Cats

Your cat can brush against the trailing vines, nibble the leaves, or be around the flowers without any toxin risk. All parts of lipstick plant are non-toxic.

The only downside: cats may damage or knock over the plant if they become fascinated with the cascading vine. Hang it securely out of reach if your cat is particularly curious about dangling plants.

Important: Verify Species Before Buying

String-of-pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is sold alongside other trailing succulents and is toxic to cats. Visual distinction:

• Lipstick plant: Large dark waxy leaves, red flowers, not a succulent
• String-of-pearls: Tiny round bead-like succulent leaves, white flowers, no red blooms

If unsure, ask the nursery staff: "Is this Aeschynanthus humilis (lipstick plant) or Senecio rowleyanus (string-of-pearls)?" Don't leave without a clear answer.

Other Safe Trailing Plants

If you love trailing houseplants:

• Wax plant (Hoya) — Another Gesneraceae relative, safe for cats, with thick waxy leaves and beautiful pink or white waxy flowers
• African violet — Same family (Gesneraceae), compact instead of trailing, but equally safe

The Bottom Line

Lipstick plant is a cat-safe trailing houseplant with dark waxy leaves and red flowers. It's easy to grow on a high shelf or in a hanging basket. But when shopping for trailing plants, always verify the species to avoid string-of-pearls, which is toxic to cats.

All parts of lipstick plant are non-toxic — leaves, stems, and flowers.