How to Grow And Care For A Goldfish Plant

The tropical goldfish plant (Columnea Gloriosa) gets its moniker from its tubular red and orange petals, which emerge in the spring and summer and resemble goldfish when in bloom. The eye-catching houseplant might look intimidating to care for, but it is worth it to enjoy the added color it brings and its unique arrangement when grown in hanging baskets or containers.

Often called a Flying Goldfish Plant, this tropical species is native to South America and Central America and flowers in an arching formation. You can grow these plants indoors or outdoors, where the stems reach up to 3 feet tall. Plant it outside during spring when the plant is actively growing. Indoor plants can be potted at any time of year. They are moderate growers and only need repotting every few years.

Plant Attributes

Goldfish Plant Care

Goldfish plants grow well outdoors or indoors as houseplants. Depending on the climate, this plant might thrive better inside as it is sensitive to high temperatures. Additionally, excessive rainfall can cause the foliage to turn brown or drop as the plant needs time to dry out between waterings. 

Maintain proper care for goldfish plants by avoiding overwatering, using nutrient-rich soil, and providing bright, indirect sunlight. As a tropical species, the goldfish plant needs humidity, so use a humidifier or place it in the bathroom when showering to recreate this environment. 

Additionally, after reaching 2 or 3 feet tall, pinching off growth helps encourage healthier blooms and improve the overall shape. 

Light

Goldfish plants need bright, indirect light for nine or more hours a day. Place the plant near a window that does not receive full sun exposure or use a plant lamp to achieve this lighting environment. Because of the plant's sensitivity to high temperatures, growing the goldfish plant as a houseplant during the summer or in harsh heat is best.

Soil

Well-draining potting soil works for growing goldfish plants, but a mixture of perlite, peat moss, and vermiculite will help drainage and maintain healthy roots. The roots can decay in soggy soil or when the plant lacks nutrients or inefficient water. 

Water

Consistent watering maintains moist but well-drained soil throughout the goldfish plant's spring-through-fall growing season. Utilize containers or hanging baskets with plenty of drainage holes to avoid soggy roots. To see if you need to water your plant, use your hand to feel the top few inches of soil. Water again once the top few inches are dry. During winter, water sparingly—just enough to keep the plant from wilting. The soil can become fairly dry during this rest period, and there will be very little new growth.

Temperature And Humidity

The goldfish plant needs humidity similar to its native tropical environment to survive. Use a spray bottle to mist the plant, increasing the moisture when growing this plant indoors. Additionally, maintain temperatures around 65 to 80 degrees throughout the year. Temperatures too high or low will cause the goldfish plant to bloom less. Avoid fluctuating temperatures, cold snaps, extreme winds, and indoor air vents.

Fertilizer

Fertilize goldfish plants every two weeks during the growing season. Use a high-phosphate liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength after watering the soil so it is damp.

Types Of Goldfish Plants

Goldfish plants are available in several varieties, all with unique, bold foliage and colorful flowers. Here are some types to know:

• Columnea hirta 'Light Prince': This cultivar pairs variegated white and green foliage with bright orange and yellow flowers.
• Nematanthus 'Tropicana': This tropical variety of goldfish plants boasts flowers with red and orange stripes that pair beautifully with dark green leaves. 
• Nematanthus 'Green Magic': This variety features gorgeous foliage and bright orange flowers. 
• Nematanthus 'Black Gold': The shiny green and red foliage on this plant is complemented by its orange-yellow flowers.

Pruning

Pruning the goldfish plant helps redirect and conserve energy to produce showier blooms. While plants growing outdoors can reach up to 3 feet, pruning the stems closer to one foot tall will prevent them from becoming leggy, or long and gangly with few leaves. 

Always prune in early spring before the growing season to avoid accidentally removing new flowers. Prune the damaged, diseased, and old roots to help shape the plant and build a stronger system.

Propagating Goldfish Plants

You can propagate goldfish plants using stem cuttings taken during the growing season in the spring and summer. Cuttings and division (a type of propagation) are the most effective ways to grow goldfish plants. Here is how to propagate the goldfish plant through stem cuttings:

1. Use a sharp, clean knife to cut a stem at least 4 inches long during the growing season. Cut below the leaf node on a stem with no flowers or buds. 
2. Remove the bottom leaves on the stem and place the cutting in a container filled with clean water. Before putting the cutting in water, add a rooting hormone to the end of the stem, which can help encourage roots to emerge. 
3. Place the cutting in a warm location but not in direct sunlight. Change the water weekly. 
4. In about two weeks, roots will emerge, but wait until they've grown about two inches to transplant into a container filled with potting soil. 
5. When transplanting multiple cuttings, group three or four together to plant in the same container, which helps to fill out the plant. 
6. Propagated stem cuttings will flower the following year.

How To Grow Goldfish Plants From Seed

Growing goldfish plants from seeds is challenging because the flowers growing outside their natural habitat are difficult to pollinate. However, if you do want to try growing goldfish plants from seeds, here is what you need to know:

1. Start by harvesting or purchasing seeds and soaking them in water or a diluted cleaning solution for one to two hours. 
2. Drain the seeds, and rinse off any remaining solution, before placing them on a clean plate or dry paper towel.
3. Use a seed-starting tray filled with damp potting soil, and place two or three seeds in every space. Cover the seeds.
4. Mist the seed-starting tray with a water bottle, and cover or wrap the entire container with a plastic bag to encourage humidity.
5. Place the container in an area that receives 12 to 16 hours of indirect sunlight daily. Temperatures should remain around 68 to 75 degrees. Use a plant light to help achieve these results. 
6. After one to two weeks, sprouting should occur. 

Potting And Repotting Goldfish Plants

Goldfish plants are relatively root-bound, with roots growing tangled and tightly together, so repotting every two to three years is best. These plants thrive in compact pots, which encourages more flowers. When transplanting the goldfish plant, use a peat moss soil mixture or a potting soil designed for African violets, and plant in a container about 1 inch in diameter larger than the current root system. As you move the plant, gently prune the roots to help support a healthy system and avoid leggy growth. 

Overwintering

Goldfish plants growing indoors will not need water as frequently during winter—only after the top few inches of soil are dry. Keep the humidity high by placing the plant in the bathroom while you're showering or regularly misting it with a water bottle. Plants grown outdoors will die when exposed to freezing temperatures.

Common Pests And Plant Diseases 

Goldfish plants are susceptible to many common houseplant pests. Remove infected foliage if you notice sticky honeydew residue or a change in the coloring due to sap-sucking insects, like mealy bugs and aphids. If the problem persists, spray the goldfish plant with neem oil or another insecticidal soap. Spider mites cause similar foliage discoloration issues as aphids and mealy bugs, but if left untreated, they will kill the goldfish plant. Maintain a clean and healthy plant to avoid this occurring. 

Some diseases that impact goldfish plants include botrytis bunch rot and mosaic virus. Botrytis bunch rot is often present in humid climates, so to avoid the spores from spreading throughout the plant, keep the goldfish plant pruned and provide plenty of air circulation. Using a fungicide or neem oil can help prevent this disease from spreading. The mosaic virus is another disease that impacts goldfish plants, but no cure exists. Mottling, or irregularly colored leaves, are a symptom of this disease, so remove any damaged foliage to help stop the spread. 

How To Get Your Goldfish Plant To Bloom

Goldfish plants' tubular, fish-resembling flowers do not have a fragrance. They bloom from spring through fall and can go dormant during winter. The flowers themselves will generally last six to 10 weeks. Keep goldfish plants in compact pots in a bright location to encourage blooms. Give the plant weakened fertilizer every two weeks during its growing season and monthly during fall and winter. If your plant isn't blooming, check your watering schedule and your humidity. Pinching off new stems and deadheading spent flowers will also encourage more blooms and fuller growth.

Common Problems With Goldfish Plants

Proper care and promoting a tropical environment will help produce healthy goldfish plants. Most goldfish plants can survive five to 10 years if you meet basic care conditions. However, there are still some issues to know about, so you can prepare to treat them: 

Curling Leaves

Goldfish plants thrive in humid, tropical climates, so maintaining a proper watering schedule is essential. Underwatering causes the foliage to wilt and reduces flower bud production. Avoid positioning the goldfish plant in direct sunlight because too much heat can cause the plant to burn and suffer from under-watering issues, too. Additionally, using a humidifier, a plastic bag, a greenhouse, or a spray bottle will help encourage humidity.

Sudden Flower Loss

Unfortunately, the leaves and beautiful flowers on goldfish plants are susceptible to damage and disease, which can cause them to stop production or fall off prematurely. Specific care requirements can also interfere with flower blooms. Flowering can stop if an area is too hot or cold. Finally, pest infestations can deplete a plant's nutrients, causing flowers to fall off. To protect the plant, monitor for pests. Additionally, maintaining moist, well-draining soil is essential during the flowering season.