Nerve Plant (Fittonia): That Thrives in Low Light

The nerve plant (Fittonia spp.) is a popular houseplant known for its delicately veined, deep-green, ovate leaves. It is slow-growing and typically grows to 3 to 6 inches with a trailing spread of 12 to 18 inches. Several nerve plants are available, with vein colors including silvery-white, red, pink, white, and green.

Botanical Name	Fittonia Albivenis
Family	Acanthaceae
Plant Type	Perennial
Mature Size	3–6 in. tall, 12-18 in. spread
Sun Exposure	Partial
Soil Type	Moist but well-drained
Soil pH	Acidic
Bloom Time	Summer
Flower Color	White, red
Hardiness Zones	11 (USDA)
Native Area	South America

Nerve Plant Care:

A nerve plant is a beautiful but temperamental plant that requires high humidity, constant moisture, and bright, indirect light to thrive. Here are some tips for growing and caring for nerve plants.

Light:

As tropical plant, nerve plant prefers bright, indirect sun such as that offered by north-facing windows. It should not be exposed to full sunlight, which can cause leaf burn.

Soil:

Nerve plant grows well in standard potting soil with a peat moss base. The soil should be slightly acidic (pH 6.5) and retain some moisture while draining well.

Water:

Nerve plant requires constant moisture and is prone to collapse if it dries out. At the same time, it cannot tolerate stagnant water, which can lead to yellowed, limp leaves.

Temperature and Humidity:

Nerve plant thrives at temperatures around 70°F and prefers high humidity similar to that found in rainforests. Regular misting or using a room humidifier can help maintain the right conditions.

Fertilizer:

During its growing season, nerve plants should be fed weekly with a weak liquid fertilizer formulated for tropical plants. A balanced 5-5-5 fertilizer diluted to half strength is a good choice.

Pther Types of Nerve Plants:

Argyroneura: Deep-green leaves with silver-white veins

Pearcei: Deep-green leaves with reddish veins

Frankie: Light pink and green leaves

Fortissimo: Green foliage with red and pink veins

Red Star: Pink-red veined leaves

Pruning:

If a nerve plant's stems become leggy, pin the tips off to promote total, bushy growth. The plant's flowers are insignificant, so pinching off the buds can help keep the foliage full.

Propagation:

Nerve plants can be propagated from stem-tip cuttings in late spring or early summer. To reproduce, make a stem-tip cutting that includes at least two growing nodes, and plant in a pot filled with a peat-based soil mix. Keep the soil moist but not wet, and roots should sprout within two to three weeks.

Pests and Diseases

Fittonia plants are generally hardy and free from pests and diseases. However, if the conditions are not ideal, the plant may be susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites, and whiteflies. These pests can be easily treated with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Fungal diseases such as root rot or stem rot may occur if the soil is too wet or the plant is stagnant. If you see signs of root rot, remove the plant from the pot and allow the soil to dry out completely. Cut away any infected roots and repot the plant in a fresh potting soil mix.

Feature	Description
Light	Bright, indirect sun
Soil	Peat-based potting soil, slightly acidic (pH 6.5)
Water	Constant moisture, avoid stagnant water
Temperature and Humidity	70°F, high humidity
Fertilizer	Weak dose of liquid

Nerve Plant Leaves Curling:

If the leaves of a nerve plant are curling, it could be a sign of several issues, such as improper watering, low humidity, or low light. If the plant is not getting enough water, the leaves may curl inward and become dry. If the humidity is too low, the leaves may also start to bow as a way to conserve moisture. The plant may try to reach for more light in common light conditions by curling its leaves.

Tips for Growing Nerve Plants

Provide high humidity by regularly misting the plant in a terrarium or near a humidifier.

Avoid direct sunlight and provide bright, indirect light.

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.

Fertilize regularly during the growing season with a liquid fertilizer for tropical plants.

Prune periodically to keep the growth full and bushy.

Propagate from stem-tip cuttings in late spring or early summer.

Red Nerve Plant:

The red nerve plant, also known as the Fittonia aliveness, is a flowering plant native to South America. It is known for its rich, red veins on its leaves and its ability to thrive in low-light conditions. The red nerve plant is popular among plant enthusiasts and is often used in terrariums and as a houseplant.

Silver Nerve Plant:

The silver nerve plant, also known as the Fittonia argentea, is a flowering plant native to South America. This plant is known for its leaves, which are silver or gray with green veins. The silver nerve plant requires a humid environment and low to medium light. Like other nerve plants, it is often used in terrariums and as a houseplant.

White Nerve Plant:

The white nerve plant, also known as the Fittonia gigantea, is a flowering plant native to South America. This plant is known for its white veins on its leaves and its ability to thrive in low-light conditions. The white nerve plant is popular among plant enthusiasts and is often used in terrariums and as a houseplant.

Nerve Plant Terrarium:

A nerve plant terrarium is a closed environment in which a nerve plant is grown. Terrariums can be made of glass or plastic and provide an ideal growing environment for nerve plants. The terrarium offers a warm, humid, shaded climate that helps the nerve plant thrive.

Red Veined Nerve Plant:

The red-veined nerve plant is a popular cultivar of the nerve plant and is known for its red veins on its leaves. This plant is typically easy to care for and is famous as a houseplant or in terrariums. It requires low to medium light and a humid environment to thrive.

FAQs

What are nerve plants?

Nerve plants are tropical plants from the family of Gesneriaceae and are native to the rainforests of West Africa. They are named "nerve plants" because of their distinctive nerve-like patterns on their leaves.

What are the different types of nerve plants?

The most common nerve plant species are the red nerve plant (Fittonia aliveness), the silver nerve plant (Fittonia argyroneura), and the white nerve plant (Fittonia albo-lineata).

How do I care for nerve plants?

Nerve plants thrive in high humidity and moist soil. They prefer bright, indirect light and should be watered regularly but only sometimes to prevent root rot.

Can nerve plants be grown in a terrarium?

Yes, nerve plants can be grown in a terrarium. They are well-suited to this environment because they prefer high humidity and moist soil.

Why are the leaves of my nerve plant curling?

The leaves of a nerve plant may curl for various reasons, including too much direct sunlight, low humidity, or over-watering. Ensure that the plant receives the right amount of light and water, and maintain a humid environment to help prevent curling leaves.

What is a red-veined nerve plant?

The red-veined nerve plant is another name for the red nerve plant (Fittonia aliveness). It is named for its red veins on the leaves.

What is the best soil for nerve plants?

Nerve plants prefer well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH between 5.5 and 6.5. A mixture of peat moss, perlite, and sand is a good option for growing nerve plants.