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Indoor plant care

Goldfish Plant

Nematanthus gregarius

• LightGoldfish Plant flowers best in bright, indirect light at…
• WaterKeep Goldfish Plant soil consistently moist but never…
• ToxicitySafe for cats & dogs
• Mature sizeIts trailing stems can reach 2 to 3 ft…

Goldfish Plant is a trailing houseplant with glossy green leaves and bright tubular flowers. Its orange or yellow blooms resemble small goldfish along the stems. The hanging habit works well on a shelf or in a suspended pot. This plant suits growers who can provide bright filtered light, steady moisture and moderate humidity without allowing the roots to remain soggy.

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Care data checked 25 September 2026 · Dany · A-Z Plants

Light requirements

Goldfish Plant flowers best in bright, indirect light at 150 to 250 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹.

• Place it about 5 ft / 1.5m from a south, west or east-facing window.
• Keep it out of a position with a direct sky view. Filter direct rays with a sheer curtain when needed.
• Excess sun can scorch the glossy foliage. Insufficient light leads to thin growth and fewer flowers.
• Check photosynthetically active radiation with a PAR meter or PAR meter app, measuring PPFD in μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹.

Watering

Keep Goldfish Plant soil consistently moist but never soggy. Check moisture at several levels with a knitting needle or chopstick. Water before the root ball dries completely, while still allowing air into the mix.

• Use room temperature rainwater, distilled water or reverse osmosis water.
• Water until the drainage holes begin to flow. Let the pot drain fully before returning it to a saucer or decorative planter.
• A container with drainage holes is essential. Saturated soil can cause root rot, while severe dryness can create crisp leaf edges and dropped foliage.
• Water considerably less in winter because active growth slows, but do not leave the mix fully dry for long.

Soil

Goldfish Plant grows well in a specialty organic African violet potting mix. It needs an airy medium that holds even moisture while allowing extra water to escape.

• DIY mix: combine 2 parts coir, 1 part pumice and 1 part vermiculite.
• Avoid packing the mixture tightly around the roots.

Feeding

Apply an organic fertiliser made for gesneriads every 2 to 4 weeks from March to October. An African violet fertiliser also works well. Use the stated strength on damp soil, avoid overfeeding, and pause the schedule in winter.

Temperature & humidity

Goldfish Plant prefers 65 to 75°F / 18 to 24°C. Maintain humidity between 50 and 70%. Protect the trailing stems from cold drafts and sudden temperature changes. At the upper humidity level, gentle airflow helps prevent stale, damp conditions.

What to expect

Goldfish Plant reaches maturity in about 2 to 3 years and grows at a moderate pace. Its trailing stems can reach 2 to 3 ft / 60 to 90 cm. The eventual spread is about 2 ft / 60 cm.

Varieties & cultivars

• Nematanthus gregarius ‘Aurora’: Produces salmon-pink flowers with yellow throats.
• Nematanthus gregarius ‘Nitidus’: Has larger, shinier foliage and yellow flowers.
• Nematanthus gregarius ‘Golden Sunlight’: Bright yellow flowers are edged in red.
• Nematanthus gregarius ‘Tropicana’ and Nematanthus gregarius ‘Green Magic’: ‘Tropicana’ pairs glossy green foliage with red and orange striped flowers. ‘Green Magic’ has dark green leaves and bright orange blooms.
• Nematanthus gregarius ‘Black Gold’ and Nematanthus gregarius ‘Firebird’: ‘Black Gold’ combines glossy red-toned leaves with orange-yellow flowers. ‘Firebird’ contrasts dark green foliage with vivid red blooms.