Day 51: The common name "Goldfish Plant" refers to a wide array of both Columnea and Nematanthus, and I apologize to my readers for having misidentified this particular one as a Columnea previously. I kept thinking something was fishy with what I had been told. Columnea flower form is generally open rather than pouch-shaped. A bit of searching on the internet revealed that my "potted piscine" is indeed Nematanthus "Black Gold."
This rewarding houseplant is characterized by stiff stems and waxy, thick, dark green leaves which often have a reddish blush as well as its distinctive "goldfish" flowers. It blooms almost constantly once established, but has a tendency to become rather leggy unless pinched early. It branches readily and has a semi-cascading habit. Flowering occurs at nodes along the stem, and the tips often display clusters of two or three blooms. Care is easy! Keep it a little on the dry side and give it plenty of sun, and you'll have a whole school of goldfish to grace your window.
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