Houseplant · Gesneriaceae
Goldfish Plant
Nematanthus gregarius
Give it bright filtered light and steady warmth, and the goldfish plant sends out arching stems dotted with little orange blooms.
Bright indirect
50–81°F · 10–27°C
USDA 10–11
4–20 in · 10–50 cm
Overview
Ever wonder how it got the name? Look at the pouched orange flowers, each one curved and puffed up like a little fish, and it clicks. It's originally from the rainforests of southeast Brazil, where it grows as an evergreen that drapes over branches instead of standing upright. Bring it inside and it's a laid-back trailing plant that's happy in a hanging basket or up on a high shelf.
You'll notice glossy dark green leaves running along the arching, trailing stems, with flowers turning up through summer against all that green. It stays pretty small, topping out around 4 to 20 inches (10 to 50 cm) tall while spreading wider as the stems get longer. That trailing look is really the whole appeal, so give it a spot where the stems can spill over an edge.
The nice part? It doesn't ask for much. Bright indirect light, warmth, and a bit of humidity keep it going, and a pinch after flowering keeps it full instead of leggy. Pet owners can relax too, because every part of this plant is safe around cats, dogs, and other animals.
Care
The short version: it wants bright filtered light out of harsh sun, warmth, and humid air. Keep the peat-free mix moist but let the surface dry a touch between waterings, feed it monthly through the growing season, and pinch the stems back once the flowers fade.
Light
Pop it near a window in bright, filtered light, but keep it out of harsh direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. An east- or west-facing spot works great, and a south window is fine behind a sheer curtain. Give it too little light and it'll keep trailing along but quit blooming.
Water
Keep the mix moist but well drained, and let the top inch or so dry out before you water again. Soft water's the way to go, since it isn't keen on the salts in hard tap water. Back off in winter when growth slows down.
Soil
Use a loam or sand-based, peat-free mix that holds a little moisture but still drains well. It's not fussy about pH either, taking a wide range of 5.5 to 7.5, so slightly acidic through neutral all suit it fine.
Temperature
It likes to stay warm to keep growing, ideally between 50°F and 81°F (10°C to 27°C). It can't handle a chill, so keep it well above 50°F (10°C) and away from cold drafts and frosty windowpanes.
Humidity
Remember it's a rainforest plant, so it wants high humidity. Dry indoor air leaves the leaves looking tired and the buds holding back, so group it with other plants, set it on a pebble tray, or run a humidifier nearby.
Feeding
Feed it monthly through spring and summer while it's actively growing, using a balanced dilute liquid houseplant fertilizer. Then ease off over the cooler months when growth takes a break.
Pruning
Pinch the stems back after flowering to keep it bushy and stop it going bare and leggy at the bottom. It's low maintenance otherwise, and here's a bonus: those trimmings root easily into new plants.
Repotting
Bump it up a pot size every 2 to 3 years, or whenever it outgrows its container. It's a slow to moderate grower that takes about 2 to 5 years to reach full size, so it doesn't need disturbing often. Roots circling the drainage holes or soil that dries out fast are your cue.
Size & spacing
Expect a compact little thing, 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 the stems have room to cascade.
Troubleshooting
The goldfish plant hardly ever gives you grief. When it does, it shows up on the leaves or as a no-show on flowers. Find what matches below and tweak things before it sets the plant back.
Sticky leaves and little bugs bunched up on the new shoots
Seeing sticky leaves and tiny clustered bugs? Those are aphids, and that tacky film is honeydew they leave behind. Start by knocking them off with a stream of water, then follow up with insecticidal soap and keep at it until they're gone. And while you're sorting it out, park the plant away from your others so nothing spreads.
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
Loads of leaves, but where are the flowers?
Plenty of foliage and no blooms? That's nearly always a light thing. Shift it somewhere brighter with bright, filtered light near a south, east, or west window, just not right in the fierce midday sun. And here's a bonus: a quick pinch after each round of flowers steers it toward bushier, more flower-happy 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
Good news if there are animals in the house: the goldfish plant is safe. Both the ASPCA and NC State Extension list it as non-toxic, so a curious nibble won't poison a pet. Worst case, there's a bit of mild stomach upset from eating any houseplant, and it clears up on its own.
Safe for
People · Cats · Dogs · Horses · Rabbits · Livestock · Birds
Cats None
Got a cat? No problem here, because the ASPCA has this one down as non-toxic to cats. If a nosy cat eats a bunch of leaves, the most you'll see is a passing bit of tummy upset.
Dogs None
Dogs are fine around it too, since the ASPCA calls the goldfish plant non-toxic to dogs. A big mouthful might mean some mild, short-lived stomach trouble, and that's really it.
Horses None
What about horses? They're covered as well, with NC State Extension listing the plant non-toxic to horses, so a nibbled leaf is nothing to stress about.
Rabbits None
There's nothing toxic here for a rabbit to worry about. Like any new green though, it's smart to start with a small amount so their gut can ease into it.
Livestock None
This is a tender indoor plant, so livestock hardly ever cross paths with it, and it's got no compounds that would hurt a grazing animal anyway.
Birds None
Pet birds? They're safe around it, with nothing toxic to fret over if one has a nibble at a leaf.
People None
And for people, there's no poisoning risk at all. It isn't a plant you'd grow to eat, but if a curious kid tastes a leaf, they'll be just fine.
Varieties
Most goldfish plants you'll come across are just the plain species, but a couple of variegated forms pop up if you're after some patterned leaves.
'Golden West' (variegated)
It's an RHS-recognized variegated pick with dark leaves that carry creamy markings, so you get a neat two-toned look.
'Variegatus'
Here's another RHS-listed variegated one that's all about patterned leaves rather than the plain green you'd see on the regular species.
How to propagate
Making more goldfish plants is easy, and stem cuttings get 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
Want more of these? Just take softwood stem-tip cuttings in spring, which is the method both the RHS and NC State Extension point to. They'll spend several weeks rooting, and after that the little plant fills out at its own easy pace, hitting full size in about 2 to 5 years.
Myths
The goldfish plant is poisonous to cats and dogs, so it has to be kept away from pets.
Not true, thankfully. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs, and NC State Extension throws horses onto the safe list too. It's totally fine to keep around pets, and honestly the worst a nibble does is the same mild stomach upset any houseplant can cause.