Houseplant of the Week: Fittonia (Nerve Plant)

By Hyaden Riesenbeck, Turkey Shed Mercantile

Basic Info:

They are great plants for beginners. Fittonias are also known as Nerve Plants because of how their leaves look. The leaf has little veins on it that resemble a nervous system. They come in multiple colors, such as red, green, or pink. You can find them in pots by themself or in terrariums. Personally, I love putting them in terrariums. I think they add a pop of color and thrive in humid settings. Fittonia is a houseplant that is commonly sold in big box stores as low maintenance, which I agree with.

Care:

I water my nerve plants around once to twice a week. The soil should be somewhat wet at most times. They thrive in bright, indirect light but can withstand lower light settings. I think they are great office plants. They seem to really enjoy the fluorescent light. I have had multiple customers purchase them for offices and they all thrive! When they are thirsty, they will go completely limp (look almost dead). If you give them a drink when you see them like this, they will perk back up in a few hours. They are native to more tropical climates so extra humidity will not hurt them. Just be careful with exposure to too much sunlight. The leaves could get sunburnt in too much direct sunlight.

Additional Info:

To see how quickly nerve plants come back to life after being watered, Google or search on YouTube (Fittonia Time Lapse). A lot of people, including myself, call them very dramatic but they bounce back easily. I just wouldn’t let them dry constantly because it could cause stress to the plant after a while. Fittonia grows quickly and is easy to propagate. You can cut off a piece of the stem (typically where the leaves are) and stick it in water for it to grow roots. If your plant begins to look leggy, you can always cut it back and start over. Sometimes, the plant will shoot out new leaves wherever you cut the stem. Some people get them with a polka dot plant, which is somewhat similar, but they are not the same. Fittonia are a great option if you have pets since they are considered to be non-toxic.

Contact The Turkey Shed Mercantile on Facebook or at (937)-726-6627 if you are interested in trying out Fittonia; we have multiple varieties/sizes available.