Repotting guide

When & how to repot Nematanthus 'Cheerio' (Nematanthus 'Cheerio')

Also called cheerio goldfish plant, cheerio nematanthus.

More about nematanthus 'cheerio'

About Nematanthus 'Cheerio'

Nematanthus 'Cheerio' · also called cheerio goldfish plant, cheerio nematanthus · flowering

Nematanthus 'Cheerio' is a compact goldfish-plant cultivar with small, glossy, succulent-looking leaves on arching stems and rounded, pouched orange flowers that look like tiny goldfish. Tougher and more drought-forgiving than Columnea, it makes an easy, free-flowering hanging basket in bright indirect light with warmth and moderate humidity.

Mature size: Stems trail or mound to about 30-45 cm; small leaves around 1-2 cm.

Watch for — Leggy, sparse growth: Too little light. Move to a brighter spot and pinch the stem tips to encourage branching and a fuller, more floriferous plant.

How to tell nematanthus 'cheerio' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For nematanthus 'cheerio', watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot nematanthus 'cheerio'

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Nematanthus 'Cheerio''s growth habit — compact, arching to trailing gesneriad with wiry stems and small thick leaves; pouched flowers borne along the stems, ideal for a basket or shelf edge. — sets the pace. Nematanthus 'Cheerio' is a compact goldfish-plant cultivar with small, glossy, succulent-looking leaves on arching stems and rounded, pouched orange flowers that look like tiny goldfish. Tougher and more drought-forgiving than Columnea, it makes an easy, free-flowering hanging basket in bright indirect light with warmth and moderate humidity.

What size pot to step nematanthus 'cheerio' up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Nematanthus 'Cheerio' stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot nematanthus 'cheerio'

Spring or summer, while nematanthus 'cheerio' is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting nematanthus 'cheerio'

Repot dry. Do not water nematanthus 'cheerio' for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty free-draining, airy mix ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set nematanthus 'cheerio' at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep nematanthus 'cheerio' completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for nematanthus 'cheerio'

Nematanthus 'Cheerio' wants free-draining, airy mix. A light houseplant or African-violet mix loosened with perlite and a little bark gives the aeration its shallow roots need. Good drainage is essential; dense, water-retentive compost causes rot. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting nematanthus 'cheerio' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot nematanthus 'cheerio'?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for nematanthus 'cheerio'. Repot nematanthus 'cheerio' every 2–3 years into a snug pot of free-draining, airy mix, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does nematanthus 'cheerio' need?

When is the best time of year to repot nematanthus 'cheerio'?

Should you water nematanthus 'cheerio' after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot nematanthus 'cheerio' into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise nematanthus 'cheerio' after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting nematanthus 'cheerio'. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.