Goldfish plants are incredibly alluring and fun houseplants thanks to their orange and red goldfish-shaped blooms. This post will explain everything necessary about caring for Goldfish plants.
What are Goldfish Plants?
Goldfish plants (Nematanthus gregarius) are trailing tropical perennials found in Brazil and other areas in Central and South America. They get their nickname thanks to their fleshy blooms, which have orange and red hues and are shaped like goldfish.
Nematanthus gregarius are easily confused with Columnea gloriosa, which is also commonly called the goldfish plant.
Appearance and Characteristics
Goldfish plants are perennial tropical evergreen shrubs with dark green foliage that has a waxy feel similar to succulents. But the flowers are the real draw. These are normally orange or red and bring to mind the shape of a goldfish. The separation between the petals even resembles the mouth of a goldfish.
Quick Summary
Botanical Name: Nematanthus gregarius
Native to: Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico
Care: Beginner
Size: Up to 3 feet wide and 1.5 feet tall
Common Problems: Mealybugs, Root rot, Spider mites
Toxicity: Not considered toxic to humans or animals
Plant inspiration tip: looking for an easy to care plant, then check out Chlorophytum comosum.
How to care for Goldfish Plants
Sunlight
Goldfish plants require plenty of sun for their distinctive flowers to develop. Indirect but bright sunlight is best for these plants, ideally coming through east or south-facing windows. If placed in intense direct sun, the foliage can start to burn.
Watering
Goldfish plants need fairly moist soil but can handle a little bit of drying out. A good watering schedule is to water when the top two or three inches of growing medium feels dry. Always use distilled or filtered water that is kept at room temperature. Take care not to apply too much water to avoid root rot and other health problems.
Humidity & Temperature
Contrary to popular belief, goldfish plants don’t actually require high humidity. While it does help them grow better, they can still thrive in low to medium humidity. Daily misting or placing a humidifier near the goldfish plant will provide sufficient humidity.
The ideal temperature range for goldfish plants ranges from 65 to 75ºF (18 to 24ºC). They cannot handle any temperatures below 50ºF (10ºC)
Cleaning
If dust starts to build up on the foliage of the goldfish plant, use a slightly damp cloth to wipe it off. Don’t let too much moisture sit on the foliage as this will cause problems. Leaf shine products aren’t recommended as they contain harmful chemicals.
Fertilizing & Soil
Goldfish plants need loose, well-draining soil that still holds plenty of nutrients. A mix of potting soil, perlite, and sand is a good choice, and African Violet mixes work well too.
Fertilizers can help goldfish plants create more blooms. This can either be a weekly dose of diluted liquid fertilizer or a dose of slow-release fertilizer in early spring. This can then be topped up a couple of times during the growing season.
Repotting
Goldfish plants don’t need repotting too often as they actually prefer to be a bit constricted within their pot. They should only be repotted after two or three years. The spring is the best time for repotting.
Only move up one or two pot sizes each time. Use a nursery pot with drainage outlets. Mix some of the old soil with a fresh dose of a similarly-constructed growing medium.
Plant inspiration tip: looking for more color in your home, then check out the Stromanthe stromatoide from Brazil.
How and When to Prune
Goldfish plants shouldn’t require too much pruning unless they need to be kept to a desired shape. Spent flowers should be deadheaded to encourage fresh blooms. “Pinch” some of the young buds at the tip of the stems to control the size of the goldfish plant.
Problems with Goldfish Plants
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are tiny pests that extract sap from plants. Symptoms include deposits of a waxy white substance underneath the leaves. Remove them with insecticide soaps or neem oil solutions.
Root rot
Overwatering a goldfish plant can cause brown, smelly, or mushy rotting roots. Cut off the infected roots and only water once the top two or three inches of growing medium feel dry.
Spider mites
Spider mites also consume the sap of plants. The main symptoms are small brown or yellow spots on the foliage. Deal with them in the same manner as mealybugs (see above).
Too much light
If exposed to too much intense sunlight, the leaves of a goldfish plant can burn and wither. Move the plant further away from windowsills and use a filter such as a blind or net curtain.
How to Propagate
The easiest way to propagate goldfish plants is by using stem cuttings. These stem sections should measure two to three inches. Pot them up in a similar medium to the adult plant and keep them moist and warm until the roots are established. They should flower the following summer.
Common FAQs
How much light does a Goldfish plant need?
To really thrive, goldfish plants need a lot of indirect but bright light. This is best when coming from east or south-facing windows, but the light needs to be filtered to avoid burning the leaves.
What is so special about Goldfish plants?
The whimsical goldfish-shaped flowers are what make goldfish plants special, adding bursts of orange or red color that contrasts with the dark green leaves.
Are Goldfish plants good indoor plants?
Goldfish plants can thrive indoors as long as they receive the correct amount of water and the right temperature levels. They can be kept successfully by beginners.
Can a Goldfish plant grow in low light?
Goldfish plants will suffer from leggy, inconsistent growth if they don’t get enough light. This will also produce fewer flowers. Always provide bright but indirect light.
Plant recommendation tip: looking for plant inspiration, then check out our guide on Calathea plants.
Summary
Tropical specimens can be intimidating to some houseplant owners. But goldfish plants have relatively easy care requirements but must be given the right temperatures and moisture levels if they’re to succeed. The reward is a clutch of characterful goldfish-shaped blooms with fantastic reddish or orange colors.