Nematanthus

goldfish plant

Gesneriaceae

Eastern Brazil (Atlantic rainforest)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Hummingbirds Container Friendly

SunPart Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Nematanthus spp. is a genus of about 30 evergreen epiphytic and trailing perennials in the gesneriad family (Gesneriaceae), native to the rainforests of eastern Brazil and grown as goldfish plants. Plants make spreading or cascading stems 12-36 in (30-90 cm) long, clothed in small, thick, glossy dark green leaves often flushed reddish or purple beneath. The flowers are the main feature: waxy, pouched, and swollen on one side, 0.75-1.25 in (2-3 cm) long, in orange, red, yellow, or a mix, with a narrow mouth that gives each bloom a goldfish-like shape. Flowering can occur in flushes through much of the year under bright light. As epiphytes, the plants hold water in their fleshy leaves and grow on bark in the wild rather than in heavy soil. They are frost-tender and damaged below about 50 F (10 C), so most are grown as houseplants or in greenhouses outside the tropics.

Native Range

Nematanthus spp. is native to the Atlantic coastal rainforests of eastern Brazil, where the plants grow as epiphytes on trees and on mossy rocks in warm, humid, shaded conditions. The genus is restricted almost entirely to Brazil.

Suggested Uses

Nematanthus spp. is grown as a hanging-basket and houseplant, in conservatory displays, and outdoors in frost-free gardens as a trailing or epiphytic accent. Plants are set singly in baskets or spaced 10-12 in (25-30 cm) apart in mixed plantings. The cascading stems suit elevated containers and shelves where the flowers hang in view.

How to Identify

Identify Nematanthus spp. by its trailing stems of small, thick, glossy leaves, frequently red or purple on the underside, and by its pouched, balloon-like flowers pinched to a small opening. The swollen goldfish shape of the bloom separates it from the more open, tubular flowers of related gesneriads. Stems root readily where they touch a moist surface.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~20 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Flowering occurs in flushes from spring through autumn, and year-round in warm, bright conditions. The waxy orange-to-red pouched flowers last several days each and appear along the stems from the leaf axils. Bright indirect light and a slightly pot-bound root system bring on heavier bloom.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Orange, red, to yellow

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green, often red-purple beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade

Requires 2-4 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

peat loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Nematanthus spp. grows in bright, indirect light in a loose, free-draining epiphytic mix of bark, peat, and perlite at a pH of 5.5-6.5. The fleshy leaves store water, so the mix is allowed to dry slightly between waterings, and soggy conditions cause root and stem rot. Warmth above 60 F (16 C) and moderate humidity suit it, while cold below 50 F (10 C) brings leaf drop. Hardiness outdoors is limited to USDA zones 10-11; elsewhere it is a houseplant or summer container plant. Light feeding through the growing season supports repeat flowering. Stems are pinched to keep growth bushy and full.

Pruning

Nematanthus spp. is pinched and trimmed after each bloom flush to keep stems branched and compact and to remove leggy or bare growth. Cuttings root easily, so trimming doubles as propagation. Old, weak stems are cut back hard in spring to renew the plant.