Nerve plant
Fittonia albivenis · Family Acanthaceae
Also known as: fittonia, mosaic plant, painted net leaf
- Light
- Partial shade
- Watering
- Every 3 days
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Pet-safe
- Yes
Care
Where to put it
A bathroom, terrarium or bottle garden with high humidity.
Light
Partial shade. Direct sun quickly scorches the delicate leaves.
Watering
Keep the compost moist. It collapses dramatically when dry but perks up after water.
About the plant
The nerve plant has small leaves with white, pink or red veins that look hand-drawn. It is compact, rarely exceeds 15 cm, and does very well in terrariums and small pots. It likes constant moisture.
Origin
Native to the tropical forests of South America, especially Peru and Colombia, where it carpets the shady floor.
What it likes
- Partial shade
- Compost kept slightly moist
- Humid air, as in a terrarium
What it dislikes
- Direct sun
- Letting the compost dry out fully
- Dry air from air conditioning
Did you know?
When thirsty it flops dramatically, but usually recovers a few hours after watering.
