In the Swim with Nematanthus, the Goldfish Plant

Tripped over that sand pail for the umpteenth time? Before you make it umpteen plus one, consider using the pail to re-pot one of your houseplants. For a child’s room or any spot that calls for whimsy, Nematanthus, the Goldfish Plant, is a perfect candidate to spill over this summery container.

Now when most of us think of goldfish, we rightly think of fish tanks. We know we would not find a school of colorful goldfish near the sandy shore of an ocean: These are freshwater fish. So to accompany these “fish” with a sand pail… yes, something is a little fishy about this. But for the sake of whimsy, both plant and pail seem to fit together. Both are fun. Both are bright. And truth be told, I do not have a spare fish tank to use as a planter for my Nematanthus. So sand pail, you have found your calling!

Sand pails and other summertime containers do seem to find their way around the house and yard, scattered here and there. Bringing one inside to show off a tropical Goldfish Plant is a much better option than stubbing a toe or having to bite a lip. And sand pails do seem to cheer, “Summer!”

Nematanthus also cheers “Summer” in all seasons, with blooms in bright orange, red, or yellow tones and shaped like tiny goldfish. The shape of each bloom is simple, in the form of a bulging body that tapers to form perfectly pursed lips… a pretty convincing fish shape, for sure. And when light hits the blooms in the right way, they absolutely glow in some of the cheeriest tones, differing based on the Nematanthus variety, with bright orange being my favorite.

Nematanthus does best when slightly pot-bound, so a fairly small pail will suit it well. Because the sand pail I have found (read “tripped over”) has no drainage holes, I add a thin layer of pebbles inside the base. It is no surprise that the Goldfish Plant needs water, but does it want to swim in it? Its roots do not.

I lower my Goldfish Plant into its new container and ensure it is deep enough inside to permit watering without spill-overs. When I water, I will avoid wetting the leaves of Nematanthus, so it is important to have a little space between the top of the soil and the top of the pail as I water the plant at its base rather than from above my Goldfish Plant. And for the comfort of Nematanthus, I will use lukewarm water for base watering and for misting the air (but not the leaves themselves) if my home gets too dry. 

From tropical Brazil, Nematanthus, the Goldfish Plant, likes bright but indirect light, typical room temperatures, and humidity. It likes regular, light feedings throughout bloom time, with bloom time extending indefinitely under the right conditions. And it surely needs a trim from time to time to keep it from getting leggy. Pinching the tips and pruning here and there will maintain a nice overall shape for Nematanthus. Pruning will mean more “fish”, more fun. 

The leaves of Nematanthus hold a good shine, as though they have been waxed and buffed to look their best. They are nicely creased, mimicking small waves just a bit.  Amid this shiny, wave-like foliage is where the blooms of the Goldfish Plant most frequently appear, with the hot-toned “fish” generally hiding under darker cover for a realistic effect. Children are natural spotters of the little orange and red beauties which, despite their flashy colors, are quite demure. And if pets happen to take an interest in the blooms, there is peace of mind in knowing Nematanthus is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

When weighing the options of getting some real goldfish and adding a fish tank to my home or achieving a similar effect with Nematanthus, I think the choice is clear. (Does anyone really feel confident that they are shaking the right size serving of those fish food flakes into the tank?) Give me a good Goldfish Plant, and I am set for the summer. Place it in a sand pail, and my toes thank me. I have found the perfect combo for worry-free summer fun.