Columnea x banksii 'Carnival'
Goldfish PlantFamily: Gesneriaceae
Columnea x banksii 'Carnival' (Goldfish Plant) is a hybrid of two tropical gesneriads that originate from the rain and cloud forests of the American tropics . It is an evergreen, woody, and climbing species. It has a shrub-like feature and grows up to 2-5 ft tall and 1-2 ft wide. In cold regions, it should be grown in pots to be taken inside during winter season. It can also be used as groundcover due to its low-growing features up to 2 ft. It is best suited to be grown in semi-shade as this plant needs a certain amount of shade to do well.
This Epiphyte requires regular water and is moderately drought tolerant. It produces solitary flowers throughout the year that are red, crimson, or vinous and with yellow or orange petals. The size of the flowers is around 1.5 inches long with a distinct spicy aroma. They are well known for their capacity to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Columnea x banksii is easy to grow in warm regions and can be grown in USDA Zone 9-11. When it comes to the growth of this plant, it needs to be planted in well-draining and slightly acidic soil. It should be re-potted every two years in fresh potting mix for better root growth. To get the best results in terms of flowers, regular fertilizing is necessary. Another way to make sure that the plant stays healthy is to remove any dead flowers, leaves, or stems. It would be best to inspect the leaves for any bugs and pests.
Tolerance to cold climate is low and the leaves may often turn yellow if the temperatures drop below 10 degree Celsius. If you want to protect the plant from cold, make sure to wrap it in a burlap cloth or provide some other protection. It is almost maintenance free and needs a minimum care to thrive in the best condition.
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