How To Grow And Care For Nerve Plant (Fittonia)

If you're looking for striking foliage that will thrive in bright, indirect light and a humid environment, look no further than a nerve plant (Fittonia albivenis). Nerve plants, members of the Fittonia genus, get their name from their appearance. The tropical plant has dramatically contrasting foliage—deep green leaves are veined with pink, white, or red, a look that recalls the many-veined nervous system. Fittonia species are also occasionally known as mosaic plants, though that name is typically reserved for Ludwigia sedoides.

Nerve plants are spreading but slow-growing, compact evergreen perennials. In balmy tropical conditions, a nerve plant can grow as creeping ground cover in shady areas with filtered light, but it's usually grown as a house plant as it is very sensitive to low temperatures. Don't keep it outdoors except when temperatures fall between 60°-80° F. As a houseplant, nerve plant can be placed in small pots on tabletops, bookshelves, and desks in homes or offices in indirect, bright light.

Plant Attributes

Nerve Plant Care

The nerve plant grows beautifully as a houseplant in the proper conditions. These plants thrive in indirect, filtered light and need regular watering. A nerve plant's leaves will scorch if placed in a too-sunny spot, as it is susceptible to leaf burn. Keep it away from the hot sun, and give it bright, filtered light. Try filtering direct sunlight with a sheer curtain if placed near a sunny window.

Nerve plants crave medium humidity and grow best when their soil is kept evenly moist. If your nerve plant isn't getting enough water, it will droop dramatically. Keep an eye on it, and give it a drink of water by soaking the soil evenly, allowing excess moisture to drain from the planter. That should help your nerve plant perk up again. Don't allow the soil to dry out, but make sure the soil is not soggy.

Light

Nerve plants prefer bright or moderate indirect sunlight, such as a couple of feet from an eastern or western window. They also will grow under fluorescent lights. They can handle low light conditions indoors but may grow spindly. If putting it near a window that will receive afternoon sunlight, add sheer curtains to prevent leaf burn.

Soil

Nerve plants grow best in moist, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic. Use a high-quality, light-weight potting mix for houseplants. Mix in a little orchid bark or perlite if you need to improve drainage.

Water

During the growing season, check the soil of nerve plants frequently, and do not allow the soil to fully dry out. A good rule is to water whenever the top inch of soil is dry. It's essential to keep the soil moist rather than over-saturating the plant, which causes yellow or limp leaves and can rot stems. The plant often needs less water in winter, but dry air could also cause the soil to lose moisture quickly. Nerve plants are susceptible to collapse if allowed to dry out, but will usually perk back up with a thorough watering.

Temperature And Humidity

Nerve plants thrive in conditions similar to their native tropical environments. 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, in terrariums, or a room with a humidifier during the winter. In dry conditions, consider placing the plant on top of a tray filled with pebbles and water to increase humidity. Keep temperatures around 70°F, or at least within the 60°F to 80°F range for best results. Do not place the plant near cold windows, vents, or heaters as it does not appreciate drafts.

Fertilizer

Nerve plants benefit from a monthly application of balanced 5-5-5 fertilizer during their spring and summer growing season—dilute it to half strength. Fertilizers designed for tropical plants can amend growth if needed during this time. Don't fertilize nerve plants in the fall or winter when growth naturally slows down.

Types of Nerve Plants

There are lots of different color combinations of nerve plants available for purchase. The foliage colors help name many of the selections.  

• 'Pink Angel': A nerve plant with bright pink veins in deep green leaves
• 'Purple Vein': Lavender striped plant
• 'Leather Leaf': A nerve plant with big foliage and white veins
• 'Daisy': A plant with large, variegated leaves in shades of white, grey, and green

Pruning

Nerve plants require little pruning when grown in the right conditions because this keeps the plant looking full. Pruning is necessary when the nerve plant gets too leggy, but there are three easy steps to fix it. First, pinch back the stems with your fingers or pruning shears about a quarter of an inch above its leaf node. Next, remove flower spikes which can appear when growing a nerve plant under artificial light since it rarely blooms. Remove the flower spikes as soon as they emerge, so it does not weaken the leaves. Finally, maintain proper indirect lighting, as too much or too little encourages leggy growth.

Propagating Nerve Plants

When you prune your nerve plant to remove unwanted growth, this is a prime opportunity to propagate the plant. Nerve plants can propagate from stem-tip cuttings or seeds, but seeds are less effective. Take stem-tip cuttings in late spring or early summer for the best results. Here's how to propagate using cuttings: 

1. Use a clean, sharp knife or a garden shear to cut the stem tips at an angle. Use a stem that contains at least two leaf nodes below the cutting for the best results—make each cutting around 4 inches. 
2. Dipping the base of the cuttings in a rooting hormone before planting can help propagation. 
3. Stick the bottom of the cutting in a pot or container filled with damp soilless mix, such as a seed starting mix.
4. Place a clear plastic bag or wrap over the cutting/pot to help preserve soil moisture and humidity (make certain the plastic isn't touching stems or foliage). Set the pots in indirect light.
5. Keep the soil moist and well-drained. New root growth should sprout within two to three weeks of planting.

Potting And Repotting Nerve Plants

To keep nerve plants healthy, repot the plants every year or two in the spring before new growth initiates. If the plant's roots are coming out the bottom of the pot or your plant starts to need more frequent watering, these are signs it's time to repot. Use fresh, well-draining potting mix, adding in a little orchid bark or perlite if you need to improve drainage. Select a container with drainage holes that is one size bigger (no more than 2 inches wider in diameter), and don't use terracotta or another porous material that can dry out quickly. Place the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the potting mix and gently press in around the plant.

Overwintering

Nerve plants must be kept indoors when temperatures drop below 60°. Even indoors, they commonly go dormant or stop growing in the winter. Out of the growing season, nerve plants need minor maintenance and less water. Do not fertilize your nerve plant in the winter. Keep the plant in a location away from cold drafts. Using a room humidifier this time of year can help create the moist, humid environment that nerve plants love.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Nerve plants are susceptible to insect problems, including mealybugs, scales, spider mites, slugs, aphids, and fungus gnats. Treat pests with insecticidal oil, like neem oil. If you notice small holes in the nerve plant's foliage, this is a sign of leaf beetles. 

Some diseases are also associated with the nerve plant, including root rot, leaf spot diseases, and powdery mildew. The best way to prevent these diseases is by properly circulating air and maintaining moist foliage that isn't overly saturated. If leaves appear covered in white powder, try insecticidal soap to remove the coating gently. If it persists and the foliage is yellowing or browning, remove damaged stems before it infects the entire plant. 

How To Get Nerve Plant To Bloom

Your nerve plant may produce insignificant flower spikes, usually in summer, when grown in good conditions with proper watering, light, and fertilizer. Bracts hide much of the small tubular flowers, which many growers pinch off so that the plant puts its energy into growing more foliage. If you are enjoying the flowers, they can be left in place until they start to fade and then pinched off.

Common Problems With Nerve Plants

Nerve plant can be picky about moisture and isn't a plant that you can forget or neglect. Here are a few common problems:

Leaves Turning Yellow

Yellowing leaves are typically a sign of overwatering. Make sure to let the soil drain entirely before watering again. Maintaining the balance between moist and dry soil will depend on the fertilizer, soil nutrients, and temperature conditions. Use your fingers to feel if the first inch is dry before watering. Also, make sure to use a container with drainage holes.

Dropping Leaves

Leaf drop occurs when a nerve plant is dehydrated or during winter when temperatures drop. Consider whether a draft or cold air is the culprit, and move the plant to a warmer spot away from vents, windows, and doors if that is the case. A room humidifier in the winter can also be beneficial to a plant that is drying out.

Drying And Browning Leaves

If your leaves start to scorch around the edges, this usually is an indication of too much direct light. 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.