Do you love plants but can’t seem to keep them alive?
Meet the nerve plant (Fittonia albivenis) – a low-maintenance, beautiful houseplant that is perfect for those who don’t have a green thumb. This plant bright, indirect light and can tolerate partial to full shade. It grows best in moist soil.
It’s native to South America and characterized by beautiful, variegated leaves resembling nerve-like patterns. In fact, the leaves of this plant make it so popular. They are decorative and have striking white, green, or pink veins through them. The leaf margins are often colored in contrasting shades as well.
This low-growing plant is sure to add some life to any room in your home. Don’t expect this plant to grow too tall. Typically, it will not extend beyond a height of 6 inches (15 cm), however, it will spread to about 12 inches (30 cm) in width.
And with the proper care, it will thrive and provide you with beautiful foliage for years to come.
Here are a few tips on how best to care for your nerve plant indoors.
Table of Contents
Light
Nerve plants do best in bright, indirect light. They can tolerate some direct sun, but too much direct sun can scorch the leaves.
Now, in terms of low light conditions, this plant will still do alright, but the leaves may become smaller, and the variegation will not be as pronounced. If you are growing your nerve plant in low light, you can provide supplemental lighting with fluorescent bulbs.
Water
When it comes to watering your nerve plant, let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again. These plants have origins in humid environments, and they prefer their soil to be on the moist side. However, too much moisture can cause root rot. It’s best to give your plant less water rather than too much.
Now, if the leaves on a nerve plant get too dry, your plant will likely crumple. Although it can be salvaged with thorough watering, constant watering neglect can result in the death of your plant.
Leaves that are starting to yellow or turn brown are typically signs of overwatering. If this happens, stop watering for a week or two and see if the plant recovers.
Fertilizer
Nerve plants benefit from being fertilized every two to four weeks during the growing season. Use a half-strength, water-soluble fertilizer and apply it according to the package directions.
Soil
Nerve plants prefer moist, well-drained soils. If the soil is too heavy, it can lead to root rot. A good potting mix for nerve plants contains peat moss and perlite.
Repotting
Nerve plants don’t need to be repotted frequently. In general, they can be repotted every two to three years. When repotting, use a pot that is only one size larger than the previous pot.
Propagation
One way to propagate nerve plants is by stem cuttings.
To propagate by stem cuttings, take cuttings of approximately 4 inches (10 cm) from the tips of the stems and plant them in potting mix, and place them in a shaded area for about 4 weeks. Keep the soil moist, and the cuttings should root within 4-6 weeks.
Here’s a quick video demonstrating nerve plant propagation by stem cuttings::
Temperature & Humidity:
Nerve plants prefer warm temperatures and high humidity. They will tolerate some degree of temperature fluctuation, but they should not be exposed to temperatures below 60°F (15°C).
If you live in a home that is on the drier side, you can raise the humidity level around your nerve plant by putting the pot on a pebble tray.
You can also use a humidifier to raise the humidity around your plant.
Pruning
Nerve plants can be pruned to control their growth. If they become leggy, you can cut them back by half their height. This will encourage them to produce new growth.
Prune nerve plants in the spring before the growing season.
Pests
Nerve plants can occasionally be affected by mealybugs and aphids. These pests can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil. It is important to keep any affected plants away from healthy plants to prevent the spread of pests.
Toxicity
Nerve plants are not toxic
to humans or pets.
Popular types of nerve plants
There are many different types of nerve plants. Some of the popular ones include:
‘Daisy’ nerve plant:
This is characterized large green leaves with white veins.
‘Frankie’ nerve plant:
This variety has predominately red and pink tones in its leaves.
‘Purple vein’ nerve plant:
As the name suggests, this nerve plant has purple veins in its leaves.
FAQs
How fast does this plant grow?
Nerve plants are relatively slow-growing plants. In general, they will only grow about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per year.
How much light does this plant need?
Nerve plants prefer bright, indirect light. If they are exposed to too much sunlight, their leaves will start to fade or turn brown.
Is this plant susceptible to root rot?
Nerve plants can be susceptible to root rot if they are grown in heavy, poorly drained soils.
Why is this called the nerve plant?
The nerve plant’s name comes from its nerve-like leaf patterns. These patterns are created by the contrasting colors of the leaves.
Conclusion
So, if you are looking for a low-maintenance and beautiful houseplant to grow indoors, the nerve plant is a great option. This plant does well in bright, indirect light and prefers high humidity. As mentioned, it is easy to look after, and the striking leaf patterns make this plant a conversation starter. Surely this easy-to-care-for plant will add some color to any room.