Goldfish plant care guide

The goldfish plant has small, thick, glossy leaves on trailing stems. It blooms with puffy orange flowers shaped like tiny goldfish. It comes from Brazil and is a cousin of the lipstick plant and African violet. It looks best in a hanging pot in a bright window. It is safe for cats and dogs.

Light

Give it bright indirect light. An east window is ideal. A spot near a south or west window, out of hot afternoon sun, works too.

Light is the key to flowers. In low light, it grows leaves but few or no blooms. Hot direct sun scorches the leaves.

Water

Water when the top 2 cm (1 in) of soil is dry. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer. In winter, let it dry a bit more.

Its thick leaves store some water, so it handles a missed watering. Soggy soil rots the roots and drops leaves fast. Use room-temperature water. Cold water on the leaves leaves brown spots. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use a light, airy African violet mix with extra perlite. Heavy soil stays too wet.

It blooms best a little root-bound. Repot every two years in spring, one size up. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

It grows best at 40% humidity or higher. In dry air, it drops leaves and buds. A humidifier helps in winter.

Keep it between 18 and 27°C (65 and 80°F), and above 13°C (55°F). Cold drafts make it drop leaves. A cooler room in winter, around 16°C (60°F), helps set buds.

Feeding

Feed every two weeks in spring and summer with an African violet fertilizer at half strength. Skip feeding in fall and winter.

Pruning

It blooms on new growth. After a flush of flowers, cut the stems back by a third. Each cut makes new stems, and new stems make more flowers. Pinch the tips through spring to keep it bushy.

Propagation

Cut a stem tip 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in) long. Pull off the lower leaves. Push it into moist African violet mix, or root it in water. Keep it warm and in bright indirect light. Roots form in three to four weeks.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
Leaves drop	Cold drafts, soggy soil, or dry soil
No flowers	Not enough light, or it needs pruning
Long, bare stems	Not enough light
Brown spots on leaves	Cold water on the leaves
Buds drop before opening	Dry air, or a move
Fine webbing under leaves	Spider mites

Pests

Aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs are the most common pests. Check new growth and the undersides of leaves. Rinse the plant with lukewarm water to knock pests off.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists Nematanthus as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Varieties

• Nematanthus gregarius has dark green leaves and orange flowers. It is the common goldfish plant.
• Nematanthus gregarius ‘Variegatus’ has green leaves with cream centers.
• Nematanthus ‘Tropicana’ has yellow flowers striped with red.
• Columnea plants are also sold as goldfish plants. They have longer trailing stems and red, orange, or yellow flowers. Care is the same.