What you're learning
- Fittonia Albivenis Plant Profile
- Varieties of Nerve Plants
- Nerve Plant Care
- Propagating a nerve plant
- Pruning Fittonia
- Pests
The nerve plant got its nickname from its bold, decorative white veins in dark green leaves with hairy stems. They were named after two sister botanists named Elizabeth and Sarah Mary Fitton. While the scientific name Albivenis means with white veins.
Nerve plants are very eye-catching with some varieties having bold red, pink, and silver vein colors. Its intricately webbed veins gave it the mosaic plant nickname. This tropical plant keeps its green foliage throughout the seasons.
It is a low-growing creeper making it ideal as ground cover in tropical areas. It is also classically used in terrariums or bottle gardens and as hanging basket plants.
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Fittonia Albivenis Plant Profile
- Scientific Name: Fittonia albivenis
- Also Known As:mosaic plant, fittonia, nerve plant mosaic, painted net leaf, silver-nerve plant
- Native to: Peru, tropical rain forests of South America
- Shape: Oval-shaped leaf
- Maximum: 4-6 in tall and trail for 12-18 in or longer
- Watering Requirements: Moderate to High
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light
- Preferred Humidity: High
- Preferred Temperature: 60-80oF (16-26oC)
- Soil or Potting: Moist, well-draining, pH: 6.5
- Fertilizer: Regular fertilizing on a monthly basis using a general-purpose houseplant fertilizer
- Propagation Method: Stem or leaf-tip cuttings
- Toxicity: Non-toxic and pet-friendly
- Vulnerable to: aphids, mealybugs, and thrips
Varieties of Nerve Plants
The leaves of fittonia plants are deep green in color with highly contrasting vein colors. Other varieties feature many styles of foliage coloring and leaf sizes. But most of the nerve plant varieties fall under two groups:
Verschaffeltii
This nerve plant group has dark green leaves with rose-colored veins. Some of the well-known varieties produced in cultivation by selective breeding are:
- Black Star: has dark emerald green leaves patterned with purplish-red veins.
- Frankie nerve plants: pink veins frankie nerve plant
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- Fittonia Pink Star has broad pink veins in small wavy leaves.
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- Ruby Red Fittonia
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Argyroneura
This fittonia group has light green leaves with a white midrib. Some of its cultivars:
- Fittonia White Anne: leaves have more white veins making it a good contrast plant in small dark corners of rooms.
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- Fittonia White Brocade: has big green leaves with white veins. It is considered a good indoor plant for low-light areas.
Nerve Plant Care
Nerve plants are supposedly easy to take care of but can be quite finicky. But knowing the right amount of elements it requires, it should be quite easy to manage. Overall, it loves warm, moist, and humid environments which allows it to thrive in a closed environment like terrariums.
Here are some tips for nerve plant care.
Water
Having nerve plants would constantly remind you to rehydrate.
You will know when your fittonia is thirsty. It can be quite a drama queen. It is best to keep a consistent watering schedule to avoid these episodes.
If you’ve situated the nerve plant in a terrarium, you don’t need to water it. If needed, you can use a plant spray to add moisture into its environment and then close the lid to keep it in.
If you choose to grow the nerve plant in an open environment indoors, remember to mist it every day to keep the humidity.
When the leaves start to droop and become crispy, it’s telling you that it needs more moisture! It is easy to revive nerve plants by immediately watering and misting the leaves or a good soak.
To soak your fittonia plant, place it in the sink or tub up to an inch or two with room temperature water. Allow the plant to soak through the drainage hole in the pot for about 30 minutes. Touch and feel the topsoil. Supplement by watering from the top. Let the sink or tub drain and allow the plant to drain excess water.
Although it is relatively easy to revive wilting nerve plants, repeated wilting may stress the plant beyond repair.
Poor drainage makes it prone to developing yellowed, limp leaves. Waterlogging may also lead to root rot and other diseases. So it is best to ensure good drainage and implement mindful watering sessions.
Humidity
The plant needs to be kept constantly moist in a humid environment because it tends to dry out quickly. Misting may be needed to maintain high humidity conditions. That’s why nerve plants thrive in a closed terrarium environment.
You may consider including a room humidifier if placed in an open environment. This may be especially helpful during the winter season.
Alternatively, a pebble tray or a shallow dish filled with pebbles or small rocks and water as a simple solution. The plant is placed on top of the pebble tray. As water evaporates into the air, the plant will also get a little bit of that moisture. This is particularly useful for humidity-loving plants like the nerve plant.
Soil
When grown indoors, pot nerve plants in a peaty commercial potting mix. Ideally, the soil should be able to retain a lot of moisture but has to drain well. Avoid having soggy soil simply by poking your finger in the soil to check if it is still moist before watering.
Adding in organic matter in the potting mix may also help emulate its natural environment to keep full healthy foliage. Beware that soils high in organic content tend to hold a lot of water. Consider amending the soil by mixing in coarse sand and perlite.
Sunlight
In nature, nerve plants grow on the forest floor, covered and protected by thick canopies of trees. When looking for the proper placement of the nerve plant in your home, make sure it gets a considerable amount of bright, indirect light. Consider placing it in a bright bathroom or by the kitchen window.
Keeping it exposed to the sun risks scorching the leaves and it may begin to shrivel. Constant light exposure also requires regular misting to keep the high humidity conditions.
Not enough sun would If the bright-colored veins begin to lose their color and revert into their dark green leaves. It might mean that it needs a little bit more sunlight.
Fertilizing nerve plants
Supplement the nutrients in the soil with a balanced fertilizer in the cooler seasons once a month or every six weeks. Some people recommendusing a 5-5-5 NPK or granular slow-release fertilizer.
Propagating a nerve plant
Propagation is most successful by taking stem cuttings and propagating them in either water or soil. Look for healthy shoots with longer stems. Snip off enough with sharp scissors and remove leaves from the bottom.
When propagating in soil, pre-soak the soil or potting mix so it is moderately moist. Poke a hole half an inch deep for the cuttings in the potting mix. Place each cutting and secure firmly from the base. Keep the propagations in a high humidity environment. Place them in a bright, warm location but away from direct sunlight. Roots should appear in four to six weeks.
Propagating in water is slightly easier because you can see when the roots are growing. Immerse the base of each cutting in a water-filled container. Place them under bright, indirect light around your home. Try to clean it every so often it if starts looking murky. Once roots or new foliage appears, the nerve plant is ready to be replanted.
Individual leaves can be propagated in soil and water as well. However, it may not be as effective. It is important to cut by the petiole or the stalk that attaches a leaf to the plant stem.
Hang the leaf by the edge of a small container making sure that the petiole is immersed in water. If propagating by soil, insert the petiole into the soil and treat similar to a cutting.
Once the propagations have been replanted, follow the plant care guide given to make sure your new nerve plant stays healthy.
Pruning Fittonia
Pruning a fittonia is done just like with any other indoor houseplant. It helps keep a nerve plant to look bushier, fuller, and more aesthetically pleasing.
As much as possible, try to cut off as much as possible in one cut. Avoid cutting multiple nodes as the fittonia can be quite sensitive. Prune above a leaf node or joint that can be used to propagate more nerve plants.
Trimming and cutting the leaves will also encourage root growth.
Pests
Like most plants, the fittonia can be exposed to several pests. This includes aphids, moths, fungus gnats, mealybugs, mites, snails, slugs, and thrips.
If the natural route is preferred in treating garden pests, consider incorporating neem oil and its other various uses in the garden.
Additional readings:
- How you can get rid of infested spider mites!
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