Why Goldfish Plant Drops Leaves in Winter and How to Fix It
The flowers of the goldfish plant (Nematanthus gregarius) are extremely unusual; when in bloom they look like little goldfish hanging from the branches, making them highly ornamental. During cultivation, leaf drop is a fairly common phenomenon, and the leaves usually turn yellow and dry out first, falling off at the slightest touch. So what causes goldfish plant leaf drop? Let's take a look together.
1. Temperature too low
The goldfish plant is not cold-tolerant and needs to be kept in an environment above 10 degrees in winter. Once the ambient temperature drops below 10 degrees for more than 24 hours, the lower leaves will turn yellow, dry out and fall off. So the most important thing when caring for goldfish plant in winter is protection against cold and freezing. Without heating, you should pay close attention to weather changes and indoor temperatures, and it must not be kept near doors and windows. At night, if the temperature is too low or a cold snap occurs, it is best to slip a plastic bag over the pot; during the day, it is best to keep it in a spot with plenty of light. Sometimes, even if the temperature is suitable, dim light can also cause leaf drop.
2. Low air humidity
The goldfish plant prefers a high-humidity environment. If your home has heating, the plant may be growing normally and yet still drop leaves; at that point you need to consider whether air humidity is the problem. Leaf drop caused by excessively low air humidity mainly shows as dull leaf color, yellowing and wilting, with leaves falling off either naturally or at the slightest touch. When caring for goldfish plant in winter, air humidity should be kept above 60%. When the plant is not blooming, mist the area around the plant or the leaves frequently. If leaf drop is fairly severe, you can consider using a humidifier to raise humidity.
3. Improper watering
The goldfish plant is not cold-tolerant and also fears waterlogging, so when caring for it we need to get watering right: neither too dry nor too wet. Generally, water when the potting soil is 60-70% dry, and water thoroughly. If you under-water, the lower leaves of the goldfish plant will turn yellow and then dry up and fall off; but if you over-water, although the lower leaves will not turn yellow, brown patches will form and they will drop off. So watering the goldfish plant must be well controlled, neither too much nor too little, just keeping the soil moist.
The above is an introduction to what to do when goldfish plant drops leaves in winter. We hope it helps you. For more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.