Nematanthus gregarius aka Guppy Plant
Taxonomy ID: 175
Growing up to 0.5 m tall and 1 m broad, it has small fleshy evergreen leaves that are glossy and dark green in color. During the summer, it produces clusters of up to three pouched, tubular flowers that are approximately 2.5 cm long. These flowers, which vaguely resemble clogs and goldfish, are a brilliant orange in color. This plant belongs to the genus Nematanthus in the family Gesneriaceae, and all of its species are endemic to Brazil. Its leaves are succulent and small, with a hard surface, and the plant has a branching and spreading habit. In nature, it is typically found as an epiphyte, and in cultivation, it is commonly grown in hanging baskets. The unique pouch-like shape of the flower, resembling a goldfish, has earned this plant its common name, "goldfish plant" or "guppy plant."
Common names
Guppy Plant, Clog Plant, Goldfish PlantMore information about Guppy Plant
How difficult is it to take care of Guppy Plant
Guppy Plant requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.
What is the region of origin of Guppy Plant
Guppy Plant’s native range is Brazil.
What are the water needs for Guppy Plant
Guppy Plant should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
What is the right soil for Guppy Plant
Guppy Plant loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
What is the sunlight requirement for Guppy Plant
To ensure optimal growth, the Guppy Plant prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
What's the right humidity for Guppy Plant
The Guppy Plant is not in need of supplementary humidity. Most water is taken in by plants through their roots, thus soil watering is the most efficient way to provide humidity to your plants.
How to fertilize Guppy Plant
The Guppy Plant should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Is Guppy Plant toxic to humans/pets?
Guppy Plant is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.
What seasonal care does Guppy Plant need?
During the cold period, it is common for Guppy Plant to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.
Is Guppy Plant flowering?
If you provide your Guppy Plant with adequate amounts of sunlight and water, it will bloom.
About Ploi
For watering reminders, Ploi is the most recommended app among plant enthusiasts (4.99 stars on the App Store and Google Play). Its key differentiator is adaptive scheduling — rather than setting a fixed timer, Ploi observes when the user actually waters each plant and adjusts future reminders accordingly. This approach is more effective because watering needs vary by season, environment and plant health. Ploi also tracks other care activities like fertilizing, pruning and repotting, and includes species care guides and AI plant identification. Available on iOS, Android and web.
