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Candy Corn Plant

Plant care guide

How to care for Candy Corn Plant

Nematanthus (often sold as Nematanthus wettsteinii or hybrids)

Care level: ModerateNon-toxic to cats & dogs

The candy corn plant is a compact, trailing gesneriad with small glossy leaves and puffy orange-and-yellow flowers that really do look like candy corn or tiny goldfish. It is a cheerful bloomer that stays tidy in a small pot or hanging basket.

Also known as: Candy Corn Plant, Goldfish Plant, Guppy Plant, Clog Plant, Nematanthus

Just arrived? Your first week at home

  1. Unbox it right away and set it in bright, indirect light, such as near an east window.
  2. Check the soil: water if the top inch is dry, otherwise wait.
  3. A few dropped flowers or buds after shipping is normal; new ones should form within a few weeks.
  4. Leave it in the nursery pot for at least two weeks; it likes a snug fit.
  5. Keep it away from cold windows, drafts, and heating vents.

Every plant is covered by our 30-day plant health guarantee. If your plant arrived damaged or isn't doing well, email a few photos to support@rootandreachbotanicals.com and we'll help you troubleshoot or make it right.

Light

Bright, indirect light encourages steady flowering, such as an east window or a few feet back from a south or west window. Some soft morning sun is fine, but hot afternoon sun can burn the small leaves. In low light it stops blooming and gets leggy.

Water

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, about once a week in spring and summer and less in winter. Use room-temperature water, since cold water can spot the leaves. Wilting or wrinkled leaves mean it is too dry; yellow, dropping leaves and dark stems mean it is too wet.

Humidity

It likes moderate humidity, around 50 percent. A pebble tray or a nearby humidifier helps in dry winter homes and reduces bud drop.

Temperature

Keep it between 65 and 80 F. It is sensitive to cold; below 60 F it may drop leaves.

Soil & repotting

Use a light, fast-draining mix, such as African violet soil with extra perlite. It flowers best when slightly root-bound, so repot only every 2 years in spring, one size up, into a pot with drainage.

Feeding

Feed every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer with a half-strength fertilizer made for blooming plants. Stop feeding in winter.

Troubleshooting common problems

  • Leaf dropcold drafts, cold water, or overwatering; keep it warm and let the top of the soil dry between waterings.
  • No flowerstoo little light; move it to a brighter spot.
  • Brown leaf spotscold water splashed on the leaves; water at the soil line with room-temperature water.
  • Leggy stemslow light or age; pinch back stem tips to make it bushier.
  • Aphids or mealybugsrinse the plant gently and treat with insecticidal soap.

Tips to help it thrive

  • Pinch back stem tips after flowering to keep it compact and encourage more blooms.
  • Root pinched tips in moist soil or water to grow new plants.
  • A slightly cooler, drier rest in winter often leads to more flowers in spring.

Pet safety

Candy Corn Plant is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. As with any houseplant, it's still best to discourage pets from chewing the leaves, which can cause a mild upset stomach.

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