How to Grow and Care for Goldfish Plant (Columnea gloriosa) Indoors
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Botanical name: Columnea gloriosa
Family: Gesneriaceae
Common name: Goldfish Plant
Description
Goldfish Plant (Columnea gloriosa) is an attractive plant which bear abundant yellow or orange-red tubular flowers year after year and is ideal for the hanging basket or a pedestal where the trailing stems can be allowed to hang freely.
The tubular flowers look like leaping fish and hence the common name "Goldfish".
Goldfish Plant requires a moist atmosphere around the foliage and it also requires regular feeding over the growing season and trimming back of the stems once flowering is over.
Though it may survive in poor conditions, the leaves will fall and flowers will fail to appear.
Size
The stems in Goldfish Plant can grow up to 3 ft and are densely covered by thick, waxy, dark-green leaves.
Origin
Columnea are native to tropical America and the Caribbean where they grow as epiphytes attached to the tree bark.
Varieties
There are numerous species of Columnea. Columnea gloriosa is an old favorite houseplant.
Other popular varieties are Columnea banksii with small, dark-green foliage and yellow marked flowers.
Columnea microphylla which has 4 ft long stems and Columnea gloriosa like flowers.
Columnea stavanger bears smooth leaves, yellow and red flowers and branching stems but the leaves and flowers are larger.
Columnea hirta is a smaller plant with creeping stems which produces flowers very freely.
Where to Buy
Goldfish Plants are readily available online on Etsy. Purchase quality Goldfish Plants online from Etsy.
Photo Credit: Alchetron
Columnea gloriosa Care Indoors
Goldfish Plant (Columnea gloriosa) care indoors is easy when provided with the right growing conditions. It thrives in bright light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with regular feeding.
Columnea gloriosa requires regular feeding during the growing season for lush growth. Trimming back of the stems is necessary to rejuvenate growth and encourage blooming. Repotting is only needed when the plant is pot-bound as it blooms best when crowded. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions.
Light Requirements
Goldfish Plant grows best in bright light away from direct sunlight. It can also grow under a grow light where natural light is not adequate.
Avoid exposing the plant to direct sunlight as it can lead to brown leaf marks. Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Watering
Water Goldfish Plant liberally during the growing period while allowing the top 2-3 in. 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. Read more on how to water houseplants.
Ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease.
Temperature
Average warmth with a minimum of 160C is ideal for Goldfish Plant. Keep it away from cold and hot draughts to prevent sudden changes in temperature. Read more on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Humidity
Goldfish Plant requires high humidity inorder to thrive. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Goldfish Plant with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal and it can lead to fertilizer burn.
Regularly 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. Read more on how to feed houseplants.
Repotting
Repot Goldfish Plant during the growing season only when the plant is pot-bound as it blooms best when pot-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 as it can lead to root-rot disease.
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 multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal. Buy quality Potting Mix for Columnea gloriosa from Etsy.
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.
Cut back the straggly stems at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth. Read more on how to prune houseplants.
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 in. 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.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Columnea gloriosa Problems Indoors
Goldfish Plant (Columnea gloriosa) problems indoors are brought about by improper care. They 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.
Brown leaf marks
Brown leaf marks in Goldfish Plant are sunscorch marks caused by exposure of the plant to hot direct sunlight. The plant requires bright light away from direct sunlight. Keep it away or protect it from direct sunlight by installing a light curtain to filter the sunlight.
No blooms
Goldfish Plant will not bloom if the light is too low. Move the plant to a brighter spot as it requires bright light away from direct sunlight or instal a grow light where natural light is not adequate.
Dropping leaves
There are two possible reasons for leaf drop in Goldfish Plant. One possible reason is cold draughts which cause sudden drops in temperature.
Protect the plant from cold draughts to prevent sudden drop in temperature and maintain an average room temperature.
The second possible reason for leaf drop in Goldfish Plant is dry air. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Pests
Goldfish Plant pests; Spider Mites, Mealy Bugs and Aphids. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests.
Diseases
Goldfish Plant diseases; Root-rot, Botrytis, Leaf Spot and Leaf Viral Diseases. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the diseases.
Is Goldfish Plant toxic?
According to ASPCA, Goldfish Plant (Columnea gloriosa) is non-toxic to humans and pets.
