Columnea Hirta Goldfish

Name: Columnea Hirta Goldfish
Brand: MyGreenScape
SKU: PC0884S
Price: 15.0 CAD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

Columnea Hirta Goldfish

$35

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Size 4" Pot - Small 6" Hanging Basket

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About This Plant

Columnea Hirta Goldfish Plant is native to the cloud forests of Central America, where it grows as an epiphyte on tree branches in warm, humid, brightly lit conditions. It blooms multiple times a year with adequate light and care and is well suited to hanging baskets or high shelves where the vines can trail freely.

The orange-red flowers genuinely look like goldfish. The distinctive tubular shape of the blooms, flared at the lip with a rounded back, creates an unmistakable fish silhouette when seen in a cluster along the trailing vines. The vivid orange-red colour stands out strongly against the dark green foliage.

Safe for cats and dogs. Columnea is confirmed non-toxic to cats and dogs by multiple veterinary sources including references aligned with the ASPCA database. It is a good choice for households with pets where you want a flowering hanging plant without toxicity concerns. The Chlorophytum Mandarin is another confirmed pet-safe trailing plant for comparison.

Prune after each bloom period to get more flowers. Columnea blooms on new growth. Trimming the vine tips and any leggy stems back after a bloom period encourages fresh branching growth, which then produces the next round of flowers. Without regular pruning the vines become long and bare at the base with flowers only at the tips.

Winter Slowdown

Unlike most tropical plants, Columnea Hirta actually benefits from a slight cool period to trigger its next bloom cycle. Allowing temperatures to drop to around 15 to 16°C for a few weeks in autumn and early winter, while reducing watering, sets up a strong bloom in late winter and early spring.

Toxicity

Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Columnea is confirmed safe for pets by multiple veterinary sources and is not listed in the ASPCA toxic plant database. Safe for homes with pets and small children.

Pests

Mealybugs are the most common pest on Columnea, hiding in the joints where leaves meet the stem and at the base of the flowers. Check these areas each time you water. The small, slightly hairy leaves also attract aphids on new growth tips. Spider mites can appear in very dry Canadian winter air but are less common on Columnea than on smooth-leaved plants.

Other Plants You Might Like

Not sure this is the right fit? Here are three other plants our Canadian customers love. All ship across Canada and thrive in Canadian homes.

Anthurium Red. Reliable indoor bloomer.

For another indoor plant that produces vivid red flowers reliably in a bright Canadian room, the Anthurium Red blooms multiple times a year with waxy red spathes that each last six to eight weeks.

Chlorophytum Mandarin. Pet-safe and trailing.

For another pet-safe trailing plant for a hanging basket or shelf edge, the Chlorophytum Mandarin has orange-stemmed runners with variegated leaves and handles similar bright indirect light conditions.

Asparagus Fern. Feathery and trailing.

For a pet-safe trailing plant with a completely different feathery texture that fills a hanging basket quickly, the Asparagus Fern suits bright indirect light and adds lush cascading texture to the same spots.

Common Questions

How often should I water the Goldfish Plant?

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. In spring and summer every five to seven days. In autumn and early winter, reduce watering to allow a brief drier period that helps trigger the next bloom cycle. Never leave it sitting in water. Our indoor plant watering guide shows how to check correctly.

Why is my Goldfish Plant not blooming?

Insufficient light is the most common reason. Move it closer to a bright east-facing window. The plant also needs a brief cool, slightly drier period in autumn to set buds. If kept uniformly warm and wet all year it may not bloom. Also prune after each bloom period. New growth produces new flowers. Read our guide to light requirements for indoor plants to check placement.

Is the Goldfish Plant safe for cats and dogs?

Yes. Columnea is confirmed non-toxic to cats and dogs by multiple veterinary sources. It is safe for homes with pets and small children.

How do I get it to bloom again after the flowers drop?

Trim the vine tips and any bare or leggy sections back to a node after the blooms drop. Reduce watering slightly and move it to your brightest window. Give it a few weeks of cooler temperatures if possible. New growth will appear within a few weeks and buds will follow. Fertilize with a bloom-boosting fertilizer at half strength every two weeks during the growing phase.

Will it survive a Canadian winter indoors?

Yes, and it can actually bloom through winter in a bright room. The slight temperature drop of a Canadian autumn is beneficial for triggering the next bloom cycle. Keep it above 13°C, in bright indirect light, and moderately moist. Read our tips on keeping plants alive in winter for more.

How to take care of Columnea Hirta

Good to Know

Sun: Indirect

Bright indirect light is needed for reliable blooming. An east-facing window that gives several hours of gentle light works best. The more consistent and bright the indirect light, the more frequently it blooms. Avoid direct harsh afternoon sun which scorches the small hairy leaves.

Light: Bright indirect

A spot near an east-facing window works year-round. In Canadian homes from October to February, more light means more blooms through winter. A grow light supplementing natural light during the darkest months can keep the plant blooming through a Canadian January.

Water: When top inch is dry, reduce in autumn

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Slightly reduce watering in autumn and early winter to allow the brief dry-cool period that triggers the next bloom cycle. Do not let it go bone dry. Resume more regular watering once buds appear.

Humidity: Moderate to high

Prefers humidity above 50 percent. The dry forced-air heating in Ontario and Quebec homes from November onward can cause leaf tip browning. A pebble tray nearby or grouping with other plants helps. Do not mist directly onto the hairy leaves as this can cause fungal spots.

Pet Friendly: Yes

Non-toxic to cats and dogs, confirmed by multiple veterinary sources. Safe for homes with pets and small children.

Pro Tip

Most plant owners try to keep tropical plants warm all year. With Columnea, a few weeks of cooler nights around 15 to 16°C in September and October combined with slightly reduced watering actually triggers bud formation. This means the plant can bloom in December through February. Do not bring it back to warmth until you see buds forming.

What To Expect

Shipping and Delivery Details

Choose local GTA delivery, free Richmond Hill pickup, or shipping across Canada. Pick your delivery or pickup date at checkout, we'll have it ready and fresh for you. See full shipping and delivery details.

30-Day Happy Plant Guarantee

If your plant arrives damaged or isn't healthy, contact us within 30 days with a photo. We'll sort it out with a replacement, refund, or store credit whichever works best for you. View our complete guarantee policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Certainly! If you're pondering about ordering plants online, you're not alone. We've compiled the most frequently asked questions. Check out our FAQ section here for quick answers! Happy planting!

Plant and Pot Size Guide

4" Pot (Small): plant is approx. 6-10 inches tall. 6" Pot (Medium): approx. 12-18 inches tall. All plants come in a standard nursery pot. Decorative pots are sold separately.

Winter Shipping Protection

Between November and March we add extra insulated packaging and heat packs to protect your plant from cold temperatures during transit. You can add winter shipping protection at checkout.

Returns Policy

If a plant arrives with significant damage, pests, or disease, we offer a full replacement or refund.Our guarantee covers the viability and health of your plant for 30 days.

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