How to Care for a Goldfish Plant in 6 Steps

The Goldfish plant is one of the most famous plants when we are talking about the community of plants. But there are very less people who actually know how to grow and how to care for a Goldfish plant. We have come up with this article to solve this dilemma. We hope you will have all your doubts answered by the end of this article. 

1. What is a Goldfish Plant 

Let us understand what a Goldfish plant is and how is it to be taken care of before we begin. 

The Goldfish plant is one of the most common plants. Another name for this plant is also the Flying Goldfish plant. 

There are some of the important things about this plant that we should know. Let us know them before knowing how to care for a Goldfish plant.  

• Common Name: Flying Goldfish Plant, Goldfish Plant 
• Botanical Garden: Columnea Gloriosa 
• Plant Type: Perennial 
• Family: Gesneriaceae 
• Sun Exposure: Indirect, Full 
• Mature Size: 2 ft. wide, 3 ft. tall
• Soil pH: Acidic (5.8 to 6.2)
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained 
• Flower Colour: Orange, Red 
• Bloom Time: Summer, Fall, Spring 

The plant originally got its name from the masses of orange-red flowers that generally bloom during the summer and springtime. These flowers look like goldfish hence the name Goldfish plant.

The Goldfish plant gives a sight when it is in full bloom. The flowering plant makes the whole space look very bright and vibrant. You can place them on your balcony or even in your own garden. They are going to light up every place. 

These plants are long-lived and are known to last for about a decade. You need to make sure that you are taking proper care of the plant for it to last for a decade. 

Potting and repotting it from time to time is one of the most important aspects. You also have to make sure to keep it away from extremely dry and cold temperatures. 

Let us dive into the caring process of the goldfish plants without any further delay. 

2. How to Care For a Goldfish Plant 

One of the best things about the Goldfish plant is that it is versatile. It can grow well indoors as well as outdoors. But the best way to take care of a Goldfish plant is to keep them indoors.

Some of the plants are sensitive to high temperatures and can react in different ways. Excessive rainfall can also be a reason for the downfall of this plant.  It is advised to keep the plant indoors keeping all these factors in mind. 

There are a lot of steps involved in caring for a Goldfish plant. Some of the steps are mentioned below. This article can be your guide if you are planning to bring a sapling home. It is always advised to read and research about the ways to care before bringing any plant home. 

2.1. Light 

Light plays an important role in the life span of a Goldfish plant. Exposing it to an adequate amount of light is ideal for its growth. These plants need bright light. But make sure that the source of light should be indirect. Keeping it open in the bright sun might damage the sensitive plant completely. 

You can place it near a window that receives indirect sunlight. You can also use a lamp to provide light to the plant. Creating a lighting environment according to your convenience is also one of the things you can try. Also, make sure to keep the requirements of the plant in mind while creating the lighting environment. 

Ironically, the Goldfish plant requires bright light but is also sensitive to direct sun or light exposure. This can be a little tricky to understand. You can also contact your local nursery to get help with this. 

You can also move your plant to a different location if you observe that its growth has become stagnant. Make sure to choose a more bright location than your previous location. This will also help in flower production. 

2.2. Soil 

Soil is another important component required for the growth of a Goldfish plant. Well-drained soil is the best option when it comes to selecting soil for this plant. Potting soil that is easily draining is the best pick. You can also choose a mixture of soil.

A mixture of perlite, peat moss and potting soil can also be a great fit for your Goldfish plant. The mixture of these soils will help drain the water faster but will also retain the moisture. This is considered the best soil condition for growing this plant. 

Do not use heavy clay or any type of heavy soil. These have the tendency to waterlog the water provided. Which is in turn very bad for the life span of the Goldfish plant. Root diseases and rot log are caused when the water remains logged in the soil for too long. 

Also, make sure to keep drainage holes in the pot. This will allow the excess water to drain and will also maintain the moistness in the soil. You can even make the drainage holes according to your convenience in the pot you are using. 

Adding mulch on the surface of the soil is another pro tip. This will help in locking the moisture and will also regulate the temperature of the soil. This will make sure to create an environment that is suitable for the growth of the Goldfish plant. 

2.3. Water 

Water is essential for the growth of a Goldfish plant like every other plant. The plant will be able to grow well if an adequate amount of water is provided to the soil. This will keep the soil moist and will help in retaining moisture as well. Make sure to keep the soil moist and provide enough moisture.

But also keep in mind that you must avoid waterlogging. The roots become soggy when excess water remains stagnant at the bottom of the plant. Make sure that the top surface of the soil is dry before pouring more water. This way you will have an idea of the water content in the soil. 

You can also spray some water on the leaves of the Goldfish plant if you want to provide extra moisture. A humid tray or a humidifier is also a great choice to keep the room moist. 

The Goldfish plant also known as the Flying Goldfish plant is sensitive to chlorine and some other minerals. It is therefore advised to filter the water before pouring it into the plants. 

Do not use very cold water to water the plant. This will result in shocking of the roots that can lead to plant damage. Keep these things in mind while watering your Goldfish plant. 

2.4. Humidity and Temperature 

Humidity and temperature also play an important role in the growth of the Goldfish plant. The plant grows very well in temperature that ranges from 18-27 degree Celsius. Do not expose the plant to temperatures that change drastically. This can affect the growth of the plant in many ways. 

Fill a tray with water and pebbles and place the plant on it. This will help maintain the humidity and also prevent excess water from entering the roots of the plant. The water in the tray will evaporate eventually. This will increase the surrounding humidity of the plant. 

You can try planting the Goldfish plant outside in a shaded area during the summers. The plant might take time to adapt to the climate conditions outside the house. Slowly when it adapts, you can move it to a place with brighter indirect light exposure. Make sure to apply the changes slowly to avoid additional shock to the plant. 

Do not overwater the plant. The Goldfish plant can live in climates with less water availability. It is therefore advised to let the soil dry out a little before pouring in more water. This will keep the water intake of the plant intact. 

2.5. Fertilizers 

Fertilizers are equally essential for the growth of a plant just like the other important factors. Choosing the right fertilizer is the key to growing a healthy plant. It is important to feed the plant with fertilizers during the growing season. It is also advised to provide the Goldfish plant with fertilizers every two weeks during the spring to fall season.

You can also dilute the fertilizer to make sure that it is not harming the plant in any way. Feeding the plant with fertilizers will make sure that the plant is growing healthily throughout the life span. 

The plant is generally in the dormant stage during the winter months. You can stop the use of fertilizers during this time. Feeding the plant with fertilizers during the winter will do more bad than good to the plant.

You might want to follow the instructions that are given on the packaging of each fertilizer. Make sure to follow the steps and quantity and avoid over-fertilizing the plant. Giving more fertilizer than required to the plant can result in root burn. 

Always remember that enough fertilizers will help the plant grow well. Anything less or more can harm the plant in many ways. 

2.6. Pruning 

Pruning is also very important when it comes to taking care of any plant. Making sure to prune the plant in regular intervals will help the plant grow better. It will also help in conserving and redirecting the energy. You can also prevent the Goldfish plant from becoming leggy by pruning it at regular intervals. 

It is advised to start pruning the plants in the early spring season. This is suggested because the growing season starts right after the spring season. Pruning the plants during those times can result in unintentional cutting of the new buds and flowers. This process also helps in strengthening the system of the plants which results in better vegetation. 

3. How to Propagate a Goldfish Plant 

There are many ways by which you can propagate a Goldfish plant. One of the easiest ways is to propagate the plant using its stems. Spring and summer is the best time to propagate the plant. You can cut the plant according to your needs and desires and divide it into many locations. This will give you a Goldfish garden of your own. 

There are certain steps that need to be followed in order to propagate the Goldfish plant using a stem. Some of the steps are mentioned below:

• Always make sure to use a clean and sharp knife. Cut the stem of the plant using this sharp knife. Make sure to cut it four inches long. This is the measurement for cutting the stem during the growing season. Do not cut the stem that has a node or flower on it. 
• It is now time to remove the leaves from the bottom. Place it in a container that has water. You can also add a rooting hormone to the soil before placing the stem. This will boost the growth of the roots resulting in a quicker growing rate of the plant. 
• Take the plant to a location where it can get exposed to sunlight. Make sure that the light is not direct. 
• Keep changing the water of the pot every week. 
• You will be able to see the roots emerging in two weeks. Do not rush to put it in the soil or in a pot. You will have to wait until the roots have grown 2 inches long. 
• You can now place the plant in the container of your choice when the roots have emerged completely. Repeat the process when your plant is fully grown to have another Goldfish plant. 

4. Wrapping Up 

These are the steps involved in taking care of a Goldfish plant. Make sure to follow these steps in order to have a healthy plant. You can also add some steps of your choice that will boost the growth of the plant even more. 

The more attention you give to your plant, the more it will grow. Make sure to love the sapling like a baby and see it emerge into a beautiful flowering plant. 

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