The Candy Corn Goldfish Plant, known scientifically as Nematanthus gregarius ‘Candy Corn’, offers delightful, colorful blooms. This charming plant brings tropical vibrancy to any indoor space and flourishes with proper care. Its straightforward requirements make it a rewarding choice for many plant enthusiasts.
Understanding the Candy Corn Goldfish Plant
The Candy Corn Goldfish Plant has trailing stems with small, glossy green leaves. Its common name comes from vibrant, tubular flowers in shades of orange and yellow, resembling candy corn. These blooms also resemble leaping goldfish, giving it the name “goldfish plant.”
This plant, Nematanthus gregarius, belongs to the Gesneriaceae family, like African violets. Native to the warm, humid forests of South America, particularly Brazil, it grows as an epiphyte, attaching itself to other plants or rocky outcroppings. This epiphytic nature provides context for its preference for well-draining, airy growing mediums as a houseplant.
Essential Care for Your Plant
Light is fundamental for the Candy Corn Goldfish Plant’s well-being. It thrives in bright, indirect light, like an east or west-facing window. Direct, intense sunlight can scorch the foliage. Supplemental grow lights can be beneficial if natural light is insufficient.
Proper watering prevents issues. The plant prefers consistently moist soil from spring to early fall. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out before watering again to prevent waterlogging and root rot. During winter, reduce watering frequency, allowing soil to dry more between applications.
Choose a well-draining potting mix and container for healthy growth. A well-draining, airy substrate is preferred, with components like perlite, peat moss, or orchid bark for aeration and drainage. Pots must have drainage holes. They tolerate being slightly pot-bound, but repot into a container only two inches larger if roots emerge from drainage holes.
Maintain suitable temperature and humidity. Candy Corn Goldfish Plants prefer warm conditions, with optimal temperatures ranging from 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C). Temperatures below 60°F (16°C) can stress the plant and cause leaves to drop. As a tropical native, it needs higher humidity. Misting, pebble trays, or a humidifier provide necessary moisture.
Fertilize for robust growth during the active season. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during spring and summer. Compost applied in spring also improves vigor. Avoid over-fertilization to prevent salt buildup.
Regular pruning maintains shape and encourages bushier growth. Trim leggy stems in early spring to stimulate new growth. Remove dead or yellowing foliage for overall health.
Encouraging Abundant Blooms
Bright, indirect light is crucial for bloom production; insufficient light is a common cause of few flowers.
A slight temperature fluctuation or winter rest period encourages robust spring blooms. A cooler, drier period signals flowering preparation; reduce watering and avoid fertilization then.
Use a bloom-boosting fertilizer with higher phosphorus (e.g., NPK 5-10-5) to promote flowering. Apply this type of fertilizer every two to four weeks during the growing season.
Deadheading (removing spent blooms) encourages more flowers. This redirects energy to new buds instead of seeds, leading to continuous vibrant blossoms.
Propagating Candy Corn Goldfish Plants
Propagate Candy Corn Goldfish Plants using stem cuttings during the active growing season, typically spring or early summer, when new growth appears.
To prepare a cutting, select a healthy, non-blooming stem section about 4 to 5 inches long. Make a clean cut just below a leaf node, where new roots emerge. Remove leaves from the bottom inch or two to prevent submersion.
Cuttings can be rooted in water or directly in a moist potting mix. For water propagation, place cuttings in a glass of clean water, ensuring nodes are submerged but leaves remain above the waterline. Change water weekly to keep it fresh. Roots form within two to six weeks; transplant to soil once they are several inches long.
When rooting directly in soil, insert the cutting into a small pot filled with a well-draining, moist potting mix. Dipping the cut end in rooting hormone powder can encourage faster root development. Place potted cuttings in a warm spot with bright, indirect light, maintaining consistent soil moisture until new growth indicates rooting.
Troubleshooting Common Plant Problems
Yellowing or dropping leaves signal an underlying issue. Overwatering causes soggy soil and root rot, leading to yellowing leaves and mushy stems. Underwatering also causes wilting, yellowing, and leaf drop. Cold drafts or sudden temperature drops can trigger yellowing and shedding. Nitrogen deficiency can also lead to yellowing foliage.
Lack of blooms is a frequent concern. Insufficient light, an absence of a winter rest period, or incorrect fertilization (such as too much nitrogen or a lack of phosphorus) can impede flowering.
Pests can affect Candy Corn Goldfish Plants. Spider mites and mealybugs feed on plant sap, causing weakened growth and distorted foliage. Regularly inspect the plant, especially leaf undersides, for early detection. Treat pests with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Leggy growth (long, stretched stems with sparse foliage) indicates insufficient light. Move the plant to a brighter location with ample indirect light. Pruning leggy stems encourages bushier, more compact growth.