How to Grow, Care and Propagate Goldfish Plant (Columnea gloriosa)
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Goldfish Plant (Columnea gloriosa) prefers bright light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Columnea gloriosa is among the popular flowering plants which bears trailing stems and abundant yellow or orange-red tubular flowers which look like leaping fish and hence the common name.
Goldfish Plant requires a moist atmosphere around the foliage and regular feeding over the growing season. Trimming back of the stems is needed once flowering is over to encourage blooming in the next season.
Though Columnea gloriosa may survive in poor growing conditions, it will begin to drop its leaves and will not bloom in such conditions.
Botanical name: Columnea gloriosa
Family: Gesneriaceae
Common name: Goldfish Plant
Origin
Columnea are native to tropical America and the Caribbean where they grow as epiphytes attached to the tree bark.
Size
The stems in Goldfish Plant can grow up to 3 feet and are densely covered by thick, waxy, dark-green leaves. It is among the best plants for a hanging basket or pedestal where the trailing stems can be allowed to hang down freely.
Toxicity
According to ASPCA, Columnea gloriosa is non-toxic to humans and pets. It is one of the pet-friendly plants that you may grow in any space where there are cats and dogs.
Varieties
There are numerous species of Columnea. Columnea gloriosa is one of the old favorites. Other popular varieties are;
Columnea banksii with small, dark-green foliage and yellow marked flowers.
Columnea microphylla which has 4 feet long stems and Columnea gloriosa like flowers.
Columnea stavanger with smooth leaves, yellow and red flowers and branching stems but the leaves and flowers are larger.
Columnea hirta which is a smaller plant with creeping stems and produces flowers very freely.
Where to Buy
If you would like to add Goldfish Plants to your collection, they are readily available online on Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Columnea gloriosa Care Indoors
Goldfish Plant (Columnea gloriosa) prefers bright light away from direct sunlight (filtered light), average warmth of 18-260C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Columnea gloriosa requires trimming back of the stems to rejuvenate growth and encourage blooming. Repotting is only needed when the plant is pot-bound as it blooms best when root-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Watering
Water Goldfish Plant liberally during the growing period while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.
Water less during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Learn more on how to water indoor plants the correctly.
Light Requirements
Goldfish Plant grows best in bright light; a spot infront of a large brightly-lit window is great for this plant. Shield it or keep it away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching the leaves.
Where the natural lighting is not sufficient, you may grow Columnea gloriosa under a grow light. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth as well as prevent legginess.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth of 18-260C is ideal for Goldfish Plant. Keep it away from cold and hot drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature which can result in stunted growth and leaf drop.
Columnea gloriosa requires a humidity of 60-70% to thrive. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity. Take a look at these techniques on how to increase humidity for houseplants.
Occasionally clean the leaves by damp wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as discourage pests and diseases infestations. In addition, ensure that there is a good air circulation for the plant.
Fertilizer
Feed Goldfish Plant every 2-3 weeks during the growing season with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer for a lush growth. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is reduced and it can lead to fertilizer burn.
Once in a while flush out excess fertilizers from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes and allow it to run for at least 10 minutes.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Goldfish Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Goldfish Plant during the growing season only when the plant is pot-bound as it blooms best when root-bound.
Do not repot a plant that is in flower as the repotting shock can shorten the flowering period.
Use a pot that is only one size larger than the current one and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid rotting. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Goldfish Plant is easy. Remove dead leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy and also discourage pests and disease infestations as these are their breeding grounds.
Remove the spent flowers to encourage more blooms and pinch off the growing stems to encourage a compact and bushy growth. Cutback the straggly stems at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth.
Propagation
Goldfish Plant (Columnea gloriosa) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem-tip cuttings.
How to propagate Goldfish Plant from stem-tip cuttings
Take 4-6 inches stem-tip cuttings from a healthy Goldfish Plant and strip off the lower leaves.
Dip the lower cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.
Insert the cuttings in moist free-draining soil and place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight.
Maintain the soil moist through out until the new Goldfish Plants are well established after which routine care can begin.
Columnea gloriosa Common Problems
Goldfish Plant (Columnea gloriosa) growing problems include leaf spots, lack of blooms, leaf drop, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Pests
Common pests in Goldfish Plant are spider mites, mealy bugs and aphids. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests. Learn more on how to identify and treat pests in houseplants.
Diseases
Goldfish Plant is prone to root-rot, botrytis, leaf spot and viral diseases. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the diseases. Read more on how to identify and treat diseases in houseplants.
Brown leaf marks
Brown leaf marks in Goldfish Plant are sunscorch marks caused by exposure of the plant to direct sunlight. The plant requires bright light away from direct sunlight. Keep it away or shield it from direct sunlight by installing a light curtain to filter the light.
No blooms
Goldfish Plant will not bloom if the light is too low as it requires bright light. Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Dropping leaves
There are two possible causes of leaf drop in Goldfish Plant. One possible reason is cold drafts which cause sudden drops in temperature. Place the plant away from windy doors, drafty windows, air conditioning units among others to prevent sudden drops in temperature and maintain an average temperature of 18-260C.
The second possible cause of leaf drop in Goldfish Plant is too dry air (low humidity). To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other moist places.
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