# Columnea Care

The perfect addition to your shelf or hanging basket, the columnea plant’s cascading stems offer a unique and luscious look, quickly catching the eye of your guests. Proper columnea care is not difficult. Growing beautiful blooms that give the look of a colorful fish, this low-maintenance plant will be happy in bright indirect sunlight. Plus, as an air purifying plant, you can count on enhanced air quality in your home or office--and a pet safe option.

[How to care for your Columnea](https://bloomscape.com/plant-care-guide/columnea/#how-to-care-for-your-columnea) [Common issues for your Columnea](https://bloomscape.com/plant-care-guide/columnea/#common-issues-for-your-columnea) [What's a Columnea?](https://bloomscape.com/plant-care-guide/columnea/#common-issues-for-your-columnea)

## How to care for your Columnea

Use these instructions to care for an Columnea. This guide will tell you how to water an Columnea; its light, temperature, humidity preferences and any additional care it might need to help it grow.

### Goldfish Plant

### Light

Your goldfish plant will do best in a bright indirect light location to encourage maximum flowering. In fact, your plant would love 10 hours a day of sunlight coming from an east-facing window. However, it can grow leggy and lose blooms in lower light.

### Water

[Water](https://bloomscape.com/product/watering-can/) your goldfish plant when the soil volume is 50% dry while never allowing it to completely dry out. You can water your plant generously, which promotes blooming, but do not allow standing water or soggy soil.

### Humidity

Your goldfish plant will do well in a mild to moderately humid environment. Add a pebble tray, or place a humidifier nearby if the air gets dry. Also, you can mist your plant with room-temperature water.

### Temperature

Your goldfish plant will do best in temperatures between 65-85°F. Place your plant away from drafts and vents.

### Food

For best results, use a liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength on a weekly basis during the spring and summer. Never apply fertilizer to dry soil. Always make sure the soil is damp before feeding your plant. You can also use controlled-release pellets.

### Toxicity

This plant is non-toxic to pets and humans.

### AdditionalCare

Prune back your plant often to encourage new blooms!

## Common Issues for your Columnea

\ 
\ Common Issue\ 
**Why are there spots on my Goldfish Plant?**](https://bloomscape.com/common-issue/why-are-there-spots-on-my-goldfish-plant) \ 
\ Common Issue\ 
**Why is my Goldfish Plant dropping leaves?**](https://bloomscape.com/common-issue/why-is-my-goldfish-plant-dropping-leaves)

## What's a Columnea?

### Botanical Classification: Columnea microcalyx

### About

Columnea plants with their lush, cascading vines and glossy leaves, make for wonderful indoor plants. With the ability to grow unique and beautiful blooms, these plants will add a pop of color to your plant collection. Place your plant in a hanging pot near a window and it will be happy for many years to come.

The columnea plant is native to Central America. It thrives in warmer temperatures and a lot of bright indirect light. The brighter the light, the more likely it is to bloom, but avoid direct sunlight. Boosting humidity and watering when the soil volume is 50% dry will help keep it happy and blooming!

### Fun Fact

The columnea is a relative of the well-loved African violet.