Q&A for How to Care for a Goldfish Plant

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Should I fertilize my goldfish plant?

Ryan Glynn, CPA
Plant Specialist & Interiorscaper
Ryan Glynn is a Plant Specialist, Interiorscaper, and the Founder of Chicago Plants, LLC. He specializes in houseplant care, interior plant-scaping, and gardening. Ryan and Chicago Plants have been featured in several media outlets such as TimeOut Magazine and the Chicago Tribune. Ryan holds a BBA and Master’s degree in Accounting from The University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ryan Glynn, CPA

Plant Specialist & Interiorscaper

Expert Answer

Yes! Usually, any standard fertilizer that you can find will be sufficient for it. Since fertilizer can be a little harsh, though, doing it at half strength is usually the best option than just following the instructions on the package regarding quantity.

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Question

My Goldfish plant is still in its original small plastic pot that I got from the store. I would like to transplant it into something a little bigger. What is the best type of soil to use?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Staff Answer

Goldfish plants do best with well-draining soil. Choose a soil mix that contains plenty of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. Make sure to choose a pot with good drainage so your plant doesn't become waterlogged.

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Question

What do I do if my goldfish plant is not blossoming at all?

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Try fertilizing your plant with a phosphorous-rich fertilizer. Repotting your plant once every 2-3 years can also encourage blooming.

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Question

My goldfish plant got bad brown scale from other nearby plants. It is all over the branches and leaves. It is difficult to spray the underside of all the leaves. What is best way to treat it, and how often should I treat it?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Staff Answer

You can treat brown scale with weekly neem oil treatments over the course of a month. Unfortunately, scale insects are hard to kill, and you may need to throw away the plant if the infestation is too heavy.

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Question

What causes the plant to drop its leaves?

Community Answer

Either too much or too little watering may cause leaf drop. You may be tempted to water the plant when you see a leaf or two drop, and then end up over-watering, don't do this.

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Question

After blooming, white marble-sized balls appear. What are these and what are the results?

Community Answer

It is the "fruit" of the plant, and stores energy and glucose for the plant's usage. Keep in mind this is NOT edible.

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Question

Is it possible to grow a goldfish plant outside?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as it's warm enough.

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Question

How do I treat new buds on my goldfish plant when it's not in bloom?

Community Answer

You should treat it as if it were a bloomed flower. Give it enough sunlight, water it regularly, and keep it in a spacious place too.

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Question

Can I root a goldfish plant in water?

Community Answer

I have had a goldfish plant for 15 years and root them in water all the time. They even bloom in water.

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Question

Can I transplant a goldfish plant into a bigger container successfully, or is it better to take small cuttings and propagate some new plants?

Community Answer

It's much better to keep the goldfish plant in the container it's in, because water molecules can escape the bigger container faster than in a small container. So, you could grow new plants in the bigger container and keep the original goldfish plant in the smaller container.

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Question

How do I get my goldfish plant to flower?

Community Answer

This plant likes to be slightly root bound, I have just repotted mine, it was still in its original pot and really flowering well, I had it on top of a bathroom towel cabinet besides a southern facing window in NZ. Repot your gold plant into a slightly larger pot with very open soil mix, including bark.

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