Houseplant · Gesneriaceae
Goldfish Plant
Nematanthus gregarius
Offer it bright filtered light and steady warmth, and the goldfish plant rewards you with arching stems strung with little orange blooms.
Bright indirect
50–81°F · 10–27°C
USDA 10–11
4–20 in · 10–50 cm
Overview
It is easy to see how the goldfish plant got its name, since each pouched orange flower curves and puffs up like a tiny fish. It comes from the rainforests of southeast Brazil, where it lives as an evergreen that drapes over branches instead of standing tall. Indoors it is a forgiving, easygoing trailing plant, and a hanging basket or a high shelf suits it beautifully.
Glossy dark green leaves run along the arching, trailing stems, and the little flowers arrive through summer against that leafy backdrop. It stays nicely compact, reaching maybe 4 to 20 inches (10 to 50 cm) tall while spreading wider as the stems grow longer. That cascading habit is exactly what makes it special, so pick a spot where the stems are free to spill over an edge.
This is a plant that asks for very little, so you can grow it with confidence. Bright indirect light, warmth, and humid air keep it happy, and a simple pinch after flowering keeps it full rather than leggy. You can relax about your pets as well, since every part of this plant is safe around cats, dogs, and other animals.
Care
The short version: give it bright filtered light out of harsh sun, gentle warmth, and humid air, and you are most of the way there. Keep the peat-free mix moist while letting the surface dry a touch between waterings, feed monthly through the growing season, and pinch the stems back once the flowers fade.
Light
Set it near a window in bright, filtered light, just out of harsh direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. An east- or west-facing spot suits it well, and a south window works nicely behind a sheer curtain. In too little light it keeps trailing along happily but tends to stop blooming.
Water
Keep the mix moist but well drained, letting the top inch or so dry out before you water again. Soft water suits it best, since it is not fond of the salts in hard tap water. Ease right off in winter, when its growth slows down.
Soil
Give it a loam or sand-based, peat-free potting mix that holds a little moisture yet drains freely. It is easygoing about pH across a wide band of 5.5 to 7.5, so anything from slightly acidic to neutral will keep it content.
Temperature
A little warmth keeps it growing, ideally between 50°F and 81°F (10°C to 27°C). It cannot handle a chill, so keep it comfortably above 50°F (10°C) and away from cold drafts and frosty windowpanes.
Humidity
This rainforest plant loves high humidity, so do not let dry indoor air get it down. When the air is parched the leaves look tired and the buds hold back, so group it with other plants, set it on a pebble tray, or run a humidifier close by.
Feeding
Feed it monthly through spring and summer while it is in active growth, using a balanced dilute liquid houseplant fertilizer. You can stop feeding over the cooler months, when its growth takes a rest.
Pruning
Give the stems a pinch after flowering to keep the plant bushy and stop it going bare and leggy down low. It is otherwise very low maintenance, and the pieces you trim off root easily into fresh new plants.
Repotting
Move it up a pot size every 2 to 3 years, or whenever it starts to outgrow its home. It is a slow to moderate grower that takes about 2 to 5 years to reach full size, so it seldom needs disturbing. Roots circling the drainage holes or soil that dries out very fast are your friendly cue.
Size & spacing
Look forward to a compact little plant, 4 to 20 inches (10 to 50 cm) tall, with stems trailing out to a spread of 1.5 to 3 feet (50 to 100 cm). Hang it or set it up high so those stems have plenty of room to cascade.
Troubleshooting
Happily, the goldfish plant rarely causes worry, and any hiccups tend to show up on the leaves or as a shortage of flowers. When something looks off, match it below and make a small change, and the plant usually bounces right back.
A sticky film with tiny bugs gathering on the fresh growth
Take a breath, because this one is easy to fix. Those little soft-bodied clusters are aphids, and the sticky coating they leave behind is honeydew. Rinse them away under a gentle stream of water, follow up with insecticidal soap, and repeat until the plant is clear. Keeping it away from your other plants for a while helps everyone stay healthy.
Fix:
- Rinse plant with a stream of water to dislodge aphids
- Apply insecticidal soap to affected areas, repeating as needed
- Isolate the plant from other houseplants until controlled
Lovely leaves, but the blooms just are not showing up
If your plant looks full and green yet shy on flowers, it is almost always asking for more light, and that is a simple thing to give. Move it somewhere brighter with bright, filtered light near a south, east, or west window, just clear of the fierce midday rays. A gentle pinch after each round of blooms nudges it toward fuller, more flower-friendly growth.
Fix:
- Move to a brighter spot with bright, filtered light (e.g., near a south-, east-, or west-facing window out of harsh direct sun)
- Pinch after flowering to encourage bushier, flowering growth
Toxicity
Here is some reassuring news for a home with animals: the goldfish plant is safe. Both the ASPCA and NC State Extension list it as non-toxic, so a curious nibble will not poison a pet. The most that can happen is a little mild stomach upset from eating any houseplant, and that passes on its own.
Safe for
People · Cats · Dogs · Horses · Rabbits · Livestock · Birds
Cats None
You can breathe easy with a cat in the house, because the ASPCA lists this plant as non-toxic to cats. If a curious one chews a good mouthful, the worst you might see is a brief, passing tummy grumble.
Dogs None
Dogs are welcome near it too, since the ASPCA rates the goldfish plant non-toxic to dogs. A big nibble tends to cause nothing worse than a little short-lived stomach upset that soon settles.
Horses None
There is nothing to fret about with horses, as NC State Extension lists the plant as non-toxic to horses. A stray grazed leaf will not do any harm.
Rabbits None
A rabbit is in safe company here, with no toxins to worry over. Just offer any new green in small amounts at first so a sensitive gut has time to settle.
Livestock None
This tender indoor plant rarely crosses paths with livestock, and it holds no compounds that would trouble a grazing animal, so there is no cause for concern.
Birds None
Pet birds are perfectly safe around it, and a nibbled leaf here and there is nothing to lose sleep over.
People None
You need not worry about the family either, since the goldfish plant carries no poisoning risk to people. It is not a plant you eat, but a child who tastes a leaf will come to no harm.
Varieties
Most goldfish plants you will find are the plain species, but a couple of pretty variegated forms turn up if you would like some patterned foliage.
'Golden West' (variegated)
You will love this RHS-recognized variegated pick, whose dark leaves are brushed with creamy markings for a gentle two-toned look.
'Variegatus'
Another RHS-listed variegated form to enjoy, grown for its softly patterned leaves rather than the plain green of the everyday species.
How to propagate
Making more goldfish plants is genuinely simple, and stem cuttings hand you new trailing plants in exchange for a little patience.
Stem cuttingsEasy
Spring · Several weeks to root; reaches full size in about 2-5 years
You can grow more of these with ease by taking softwood stem-tip cuttings in spring, the go-to method the RHS and NC State Extension both recommend. They root over several weeks, and from there the young plant fills out gently, reaching full size in about 2 to 5 years, so a little patience is all it asks.
Myths
The goldfish plant is poisonous to cats and dogs and must be kept out of a pet's reach.
Rest easy, because that worry is unfounded. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs, and NC State Extension adds horses to the safe list. It is safe to keep around your pets, and the most a nibble might bring is the same mild stomach upset any houseplant can cause.