1/10

Balloon Plant

About Balloon Plant

Balloon Plant is a relatively rare houseplant 🌿 that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Balloon Plant belongs to the Gomphocarpus genus, and is native to Southern Africa.

⚠️ Balloon Plant is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. These plants are not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Gomphocarpus physocarpus

Genus

Gomphocarpus

Family

Apocynaceae

Order

Gentianales

Also known as

Hairy Balls, Balloon Cotton-bush, Nailhead and Swan Plant

How to care for Balloon Plant

💦 Water

How often to water your Balloon Plant

Balloon Plant needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Balloon Plant in your home

Balloon Plant love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Balloon Plant does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Balloon Plant in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Balloon Plant

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Balloon Plant: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Balloon Plant after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Balloon Plant is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

How to Grow Balloon Plant →

Benefits of Growing Balloon Plant →

Common Balloon Plant Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Balloon Plant →

💦 Water Needs

Balloon Plant prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Balloon Plant Water Frequency →

Balloon Plant Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Balloon Plant requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Balloon Plant Light Requirements →

Balloon Plant Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Balloon Plant is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Balloon Plant is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is Balloon Plant Edible? →

Balloon Plant Toxicity to Cats →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Balloon Plant can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Balloon Plant Temperature Tolerance →

Balloon Plant Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Balloon Plant →

When to Plant Balloon Plant →

How to Plant Balloon Plant →

Where to Plant Balloon Plant →

Winter Care for Balloon Plant →

Best Companion Plants for Balloon Plant →

Is Balloon Plant a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Balloon Plant, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.