With their vibrant colors, these tropical houseplants brighten up any room.
Dean Schoeppner
Goldfish plants add a splash of color to any room.
Thesetropical houseplantsbloom in hues of bright oranges and fiery reds with beautiful trailing forms.
Credit:Dean Schoeppner
Caring for these evergreen perennials from Central and South America is easy if their basic growing conditions are met.
Goldfish plants look best in hanging baskets or allowed to spill over the sides of their containers.
Choose a location with bright, indirect light; avoid exposing the plants to strong direct sun.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Light
Goldfish plants enjoybright, indirect light.
They should not be placed infull sun.
Soil and Water
High-quality potting soil orsucculent soilworks for goldfish plants.
Excellent drainage is key.Mixing a handful of perliteinto the soil helps tokeep the soil well-drainedand loose.
Slightly acidic pH soil is best.
Let the soil dry out somewhat between waterings.
Goldfish plants benefit from moisture but shouldnt be kept in continuously damp conditions.
Use your finger totest the top inch of soiland water when it feels dry.
Salts from fertilizers and water impurities build up in potting soil over time, damaging the plant.
Leave the pot in the sink for a few hours to drain completely.
Temperature and Humidity
Average room temperatures are acceptable for goldfish plants.
If you hang them outside during the summer, bring them in when temperatures drop below 65F.
Also, keep them out of the hot afternoon sun.
Goldfish plants prosper in high humidity.
Fertilizer
Pruning
Prune goldfish plants toremove excessively long, leggy stemsand broken or damaged pieces.
Any pruning for aesthetic reasons should be done during late winter.
Choose a pot or basket only one size larger than it currently occupies.
check that it has good drainage, and use fresh potting soil or succulent mix.
Wash both these pests off outside or use an insecticidal soap.
To prevent fungal diseases, do not overwater your goldfish plants.
Start bysanitizing the knife, scissors, or shearsyou will use to take cuttings.
Take 3-5 inch cuttings from a stem tip.
Choose stems with no flower buds that are still pliable, not woody.
This goldfish plant puts on quite a show with red-orange blossoms that resemble small goldfish hiding among the leaves.
Black Gold
NematanthusBlack Gold is a hybrid with bright orange flowers that look like their namesake snack.
It has shiny dark green leaves with red highlights on the undersides.
It makes a stunning hanging basket display.
Frequently Asked Questions
Goldfish plants are notoriously difficult to grow from seed.
Vegetative propagation (taking cuttings) is much more reliable and faster.
Water evenly but regularly during the spring, summer, and early fall.
Usually, the lack of blooms is due to insufficient light.
While they should not receive full sun, goldfish plants require more light than other houseplants such aspothosorsnake plants.
Move your plant closer to the window or place it under a grow light.
