Pruning Tips for Goldfish Plant: Easy Care for a Full Pot and Nonstop Blooms

The goldfish plant (Nematanthus gregarius) has flowers that look like goldfish and a cute appearance, so it is safe to say many people grow it. Besides routine care, pruning is also very important. Proper pruning lets the goldfish plant grow lush and bloom more!

Pruning tips for the goldfish plant:

(1). Appropriate pruning is necessary for the growth of the goldfish plant. It helps resist pathogens, keeps the branches from lodging, and also lets the plant bloom more. Generally, pinch the tips promptly when the plant is not leggy, to encourage new branches to grow, avoid nutrient consumption, and make the plant more symmetrical and attractive, with branches becoming thicker and woody.

(2). Regularly observe the old leaves at the bottom and prune them properly. Cut away overlapping, diseased, and dull-colored branches and leaves. Timely pruning makes the interior of the plant more open, which helps ventilation and root respiration.

(3). Generally, when pruning, cut 1-year-old branches 10~15cm long at a 45° upward angle, remove the bottom leaves, and keep 3~4 leaves at the top.

(4). Before flowering, combine pruning with fertilizing to encourage more buds and blooms. After the flowers fade, also prune promptly together with fertilizing, and remove spent flowers in time.

(5). After pruning, the goldfish plant needs to be kept in a spot with ample light, otherwise the newly grown side branches will become leggy.