How to Grow and Care for Nerve Plants (Fittonia) Indoors

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Botanical name: Fittonia
Family: Acanthaceae
Common names: Nerve Plant, Net Plant, Lace leaf, Snakeskin

Description

Fittonia commonly called Nerve Plant, Net Plant, Lace leaf or Snakeskin are popular indoor plants for the small spaces and are easily recognisable due to its leaves which bear a network of white, pink or red veins.

The leaves are about 2 in. long, green colored and are attached to hairy stems. Nerve Plants are small, low-growing reaching a height of about 6 in. only making them perfect for limited spaces.

Nerve Plants are easy to grow under room conditions when provided with warmth and abundant moisture around the leaves like in a bathroom, a terrarium or a bottle garden.

Varieties

Several varieties of Fittonia are available. Fittonia argyronuera has white veins and is more distinctive.

The dwarf variety Fittonia argyronuera nana, Dwarf Snakeskin Plant is less demanding and is easy to grow under room conditions.

This Dwarf Snakeskin Plant is just as attractive as its large-leaved parent but it will flourish in dry air away from direct sunlight with ocassional misting of leaves.

The large-leaved Fittonia vershaffeltii has pink veins, hence the common name Painted Net Leaf and many other varieties.

Origin

Fittonia have their origin in the tropical rainforests of South America, specifically Peru where the growing conditions are warm and humid.

Toxicity

Nerve Plants are non-toxic to humans and pets as outlined by ASPCA. Nerve Plants are safe to grow indoors.

Where to Buy

Beautiful Nerve Plants are readily available online at Etsy.

Buy Nerve Plants online from Etsy

Nerve Plants Care Indoors

Nerve Plant (Fittonia) prospers in medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Fittonia requires regular pruning to keep it neat and tidy as well as encourage a bushy growth. It does not need frequent repotting as it grows best when pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Temperature and Humidity

The best temperature for growing Nerve Plant indoors is an average to more than average warmth with a minimum 15⁰C. Keep it away from cold draughts as they can cause leaf drop.

Nerve Plant thrives in a high humidity environment. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.

You can also grow Fittonia in a terrarium where a high humidity can be easily maintained.

The Nerve Plant can also be grown in a bathroom and other moist areas in the home as warm and humid conditions are present.

Light Requirements

Nerve Plant grows best in a medium to bright, indirect light. It can also grow under grow lights where natural light is inadequate. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.

Keep Fittonia away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves.

Nerve Plant can also grow in low light but will grow more slowly. It is ideal for the poorly-lit spaces.

Watering

Water Nerve Plant liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to top 1-2 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil consistently moist.

Cut down on watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can result in root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant.

Fertilizer

Feed Nerve Plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period. Stop feeding during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may cause fertilizer burn.

Potting Mix

The best potting mix for Fittonia should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. These Quality Potting Mixes available on Etsy are ideal for Nerve Plants.

Repotting

Repot Nerve Plant during the growing season only when the plant has become pot-bound as it grows best when slightly root-bound.

Use a rich, free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter and a pot one size larger than the current one.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant. Check out these Flower Pots with Multi Mesh Drainage Holes on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Nerve Plant involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain plant neat and reduce pest and disease infestations. To encourage a bushy, compact growth, regularly pinch off the growing tips.

As the plant ages, it will become straggly. Cut back the stems during the growing season to rejuvenate growth.

Propagation

Nerve Plants (Fittonia) can be propagated during the growing season from stem cuttings or by plant division.

How to propagate Nerve Plant from stem cuttings

Take stem cuttings of about 4-5 in. length from a healthy Nerve Plant. Strip off the lower leaves of the cutting and insert the cuttings in moist rooting soil.

Position the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges.

Once substantial growth has been observed, transfer the rooted cuttings to individual pots and begin routine care. For a fuller plant, transfer several cuttings into one pot.

How to propagate Nerve Plant by spreading the stems on the soil

Spread the Nerve Plant stems on the soil surface while still attached to the mother plant.

The stems will root at every point that they come into contact with the soil.

Once rooted, sever the stems, dig them up and pot in moist soil in individual pots.

Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the new Fittonia are well established after which routine care can begin.

Nerve Plant Problems

Nerve Plant (Fittonia) problems are caused by improper care and include shrivelled leaves, leaf drop, plant death, leggy growth, wilting, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Brown, shrivelled leaves

The cause of brown and shrivelled leaves in Nerve Plant is too dry air as it requires a humid environment to thrive.

To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or grow the plant in a bathroom and other moist areas in the home. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

Fittonia can also be grown in a terrarium where a high humidity can be easily maintained.

Dropping (losing) leaves

The cause of Nerve Plant dropping (losing) its leaves is too cold temperatures due to cold draughts. Maintain a more than average temperature and keep the plant away from cold draughts like windy doors and windows.

Plant dying

Sudden death of Nerve Plant is an indication of root-rot disease which is brought about by soggy soil or too cold temperatures.

Maintain an average warmth for Nerve Plant and protect it from cold draughts. Also, avoid soggy soil by ensuring proper drainage of both the soil and the pot. Read on how to treat root-rot disease in housplants.

Leggy growth

Leggy growth in Nerve Plant is due to two possible reasons. As the plant ages, it becomes leggy. Cut back the stems during the growing season to rejuvenate growth.

The second possible reason for leggy growth is too little light as it grows best in medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.

Yellowing and wilting leaves

Yellowing and wilting leaves in Nerve Plant are due to soggy soil. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage and the soil is free-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

Diseases

The common diseases in Nerve Plants are leaf spot disease and leaf viral diseases. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the diseases.

Pests

The common pests in Nerve Plants are Aphids, Mealy Bugs and Fungus Gnats. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests. Read on how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.