Fittonia is a tropical beauty with dramatically contrasting foliage that needs humidity and moisture to thrive.
This plant get its name from the dramatically contrasting foliage.
The deep green leaves are veined with pink, white, or red, resembling a veined nervous system.
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In balmy tropical conditions, nerve plants grow as creeping groundcovers in shady areas with filtered light.
Outside its native habitat, it’s usually grown as a houseplant.
The plant iseasy to growbut sensitive to temperature changes and too much or too little moisture.
Here is what you gotta know about caring for a nerve plant.
It does not take much to make it thrive: indirect, filtered light and regular watering.
Nerve plants grow best when their soil is kept evenly moist.
If it lacks water, your nerve plant will droop dramatically.
If putting it near a window that receives afternoon sun, add sheer curtains to filter the sun.
In too much strong sunlight, the plant suffers leaf burn.
The plant also grows underfluorescent lights.
It handles low light conditions indoors but may grow spindly.
Soil
Nerve plants grow best in moist, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic.
Use a high-quality, lightweightpotting mix.
To improve drainage, mix in a little orchid bark or perlite.
A good rule is to water whenever the top inch of soil is dry.
Soggy soil causes yellow or limp leaves and rotting stems.
Like other houseplants that go mostly dormant in the winter, the nerve plantneeds less water during that time.
However, dry air could also cause the soil to lose moisture quickly.
The ideal temperature is around 70F.
Do not place the plant near cold windows, vents, or heaters as it does not tolerate drafts.
Humidity is essential for these plants to thrive, so misting plants will help retain moisture.
Nerve plants do well in bathrooms with showers because of the steam.
They are also a good choice for terrariums.
Types of Nerve Plants
There are lots of different color combinations of nerve plants available for purchase.
Selections are often named after their foliage colors.
Pruning is only necessary when the nerve plant gets leggy in insufficient light.
Propagation from seed is less common because it is less successful.
If leaves appear covered in white powder, try insecticidal soap to gently remove the coating.
Should I Let My Nerve Plant Flower?
The flowers are rather insignificant and bracts hide much of the small tubular flowers.
double-check to let the soil drain entirely before watering again.
Use your fingers to feel if the first inch is dry before watering.
Also, verify to use a container with drainage holes.
A room humidifier in the winter can also be beneficial to a plant that is drying out.
The plant may also start to brown from lack of watering and inadequate humidity.
Adjust light exposure and your watering and misting schedule as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both of these striking tropical houseplants are members of the acanthus family.
Nerve plants have variegated veins, while the foliage of thepolka dot plantlooks splotchy or spotted.
The polka dot plant also tends to grow a few inches taller than the nerve plant.
Nerve plants aren’t difficult to care for, but they must be monitored and suffer when neglected.
They do best in a humid environment and should be watered regularly to keep the soil moist.
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