Goldfish Plant

Goldfish plants get their name because their flowers resemble little goldfish. They are fast growers and have the most vibrant green leaves. They come in a 6.5 inch growers pot as seen here.

Light

Goldfish plants prefer bright light, but don't like direct light. An eastern facing window is perfect. They can also successfully be grown under lights indoors, especially during the winter.

Soil

A light, fast-draining potting soil is perfect. You can use fortified soils. In the wild, goldfish plants are epiphytes, a type of plant that grows upon other plants. It will usually grow on a tree.

Water

During the summer, water generously and keep the soil continuously moist. In the winter, cut back on the water and allow the soil to become slightly drier. This seems to encourage better blooming. Be aware that the soil should never dry completely out.

Temperature and Humidity

Many people assume that tropical plants need high heat and high humidity to thrive. In nature, most of the tropical plants grow under a lush, green canopy of other plants, so the temperature is actually cooler. Goldfish houseplants are best in room temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They need mild to moderate humidity and can be misted daily with room temperature water. Cold water will damage the foliage. In particularly dry environments, a humidifier near the plant is helpful.

Fertilizer

Feed weekly during the growing season with a weak liquid fertilizer that includes micronutrients and encourages blooming. Controlled release fertilizer pellets are also excellent. I have a great one for sale in my shop called Marphyl.

Potting and Repotting

Like many tropical plants, goldfish plants like to be slightly pot-bound and seem to respond with greater vigor and better shows of flowers. As a result, only repot the plant every 2 to 3 years. When you repot, you can gently root-prune the parent plant to encourage new root growth. Don't repot into much larger pots, but limit the repotting to one size up.