If treated like an ordinary houseplant placed in a pot on a table or in a windowsill, Fittonia tends to react badly to the dry air found in most homes. I typically water my nerve plant every day or every other day during the summer months – and two or three times a week during the winter. It adds a distinctive touch to indoor decor because nerve plant's rich green leaves are touched with bright pink, red, or white veins. We always recommend a … I make sure the soil has drained and isn’t soaking before watering again. Foliage is primarily olive green with veining taking on the alternate hue. Common Problems & Fixes, 11 Best Indoor Flowers for Beginners: Easy to Grow Bloomers, Top 10 Best Houseplants for Allergy Sufferers, How to Save a Drooping Nerve Plant (Fittonia) in 3 Steps. However, this beauty comes with a price since these plants can sometimes be finicky to care for. With any species of houseplant, there are several elements of care that you need to think about in order to have a healthy, beautiful plant. Allowing around a quarter of the soil to dry out in between irrigations is best to avoid root rot or stagnant soil. Crispy, dry leaves on your Nerve Plant will most probably be caused by a lack of humidity. Maybe not as easy as a snake plant, but not too hard either. ... Crispy Fittonia Leaves. To avoid this, you can trim back some of the stalks, which will encourage leaves to grow further down and lead to a denser plant. Some types of fittonia plants, such as the ‘Juanita’ nerve plant, have broad leaves with bright red veins. Height Up to 6 inches Width 6 to 12 inches ... Moist, well-drained, not soggy Planting & Care. If watering alone doesn’t fix your plant, you may have chosen a poor location for it to live. This guide should help you care for your nerve plant with no problems. From the choice of container to the location in your home, there are many things to consider. With other fertilizers you also want to go lighter. Other causes include low light, improper temperatures, and dry air. Little buds may show up after time where the stem splits into leaves. Nerve plants are fairly easy to care for. Is Your Kangaroo Fern Dying? The difference is that in an underwatered plant, the stems will droop. What is the Cost to Install Ceiling Fan to Keep Your Room Cool? Sudden collapse of the plant is also common, especially when the plant is left without care for days. It looks super cute when paired with other varieties on this list. Excess Heat. Your Calathea is not dying if you have one crispy leaf. Apply room temperature water directly to the soil. You can do any or all the following to increase humidity around your plant: Click here to see our favorite plant humidifier on Amazon. It has a timer and settings for brightness, different types of light, etc. If you must place your plant in a south-facing window, set it back a few feet to shield it from direct sun and/or place a sheer curtain over the window to filter the light. However, fertilizer doesn’t need to be intimidating, and it is worth the effort. Fittonias are called Nerve Plants because of the thin red veins running throughout the leaves. Water & humidity. Keep this plant away from children and pets because if chewed, the roots and stems can cause painful irritation of the mouth, lips, or throat. If it gets too much hot sun, even indoors, the leaves may burn, turning brown and crispy. The leaves are turning brown and crispy. Although the most popular vein color is silvery white, you can also readily find varieties with veins in pink, white, and green. A plant that I’ve been getting to know more recently is the crispy wave plant, which is a type of asplenium fern. Here are some common problems that may appear, along with their cause and fix. It even thrives as a terrarium plant. We leave it running in our living room – where most of our plants live. Make sure water is not too hot or too cold to prevent shocking the roots. Nerve plant is sometimes considered difficult to grow because of its high moisture and humidity requirements. Keep in mind the natural habitat of a plant, and recreate it when you can. But neglect watering over and over again, and it just may die! Either way, a good place to start is by moving your plant further from the light. Some soils dry quickly while others are meant to retain moisture. Elements like light, water, and soil combine to create the perfect environment for a nerve plant. They do well with other plants and thrive in moist environments. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Never allow your plant to stand in water. Name: Begonia masoniana It’s important to find the right balance of light and shadow in order for your plant to glow. This care-guide might convince you to pick up a nerve plant. The reason nerve plants can be difficult is because both under and overwatering can lead to drooping. Always remember that a slight dryness is good for your plant. Best Lawn Edger to Keep Your Walkway Tidy, Find Out the Average Cost to Stain a Deck to Protect It. ... Nerve plants grow in light shade at the bottom of tropical forests, spreading out as a low groundcover. If watering alone doesn’t fix your plant, … updated Feb 19, 2021. Click here to learn more about me. This beautiful nerve plant variety features large gray-green leaves patterned in white veins and margins. Nerve plant grows best in low to medium light, though it also thrives in a sunny window if the light is filtered with a sheer curtain. Just cut off a stem of the nerve plant and plant it in damp soil. Water often in summer, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. Another of the all-important elements of plant care is soil. If you’re new to indoor plants, it can also be one of the hardest. When plants take up too much water, cells within the leaves bulge and eventually rupture. How Much Does a Koi Pond Cost to Install and Maintain. For nerve plants, you want something in between. I was incredibly nervous about killing it. As Nerve Plant are native to tropical rainforests, they may suffer in dry homes. That’s how we grow ours. How much water does it need? Fittonia is often called the "nerve plant" or "mosaic plant" due to the bright, contrasting veins that run through the leaves. When plants don’t get the nutrients they need from sunlight, they will try to conserve energy and nutrients by dropping old leaves and focusing on new growth instead. For a nerve plant, the basic guide is simple. The blooms are the same color as the leaves. You can find out more about increasing the humidity for your Nerve Plant here. Uses. Not to mention, excess water creates a breeding ground for damaging fungi, and it flushes valuable nutrients from the soil. Fix this by bringing your plant a little closer to the window or to a grow light. One of the reasons nerve plants make such a good houseplant is that they can get the light they need from fluorescent lights. One thing to note is that nerve plants should be kept in a pot with a good drainage system. Overwatering is a tricky term. Don’t allow the plant to stand in water or become waterlogged. Nerve Plant Plant Features Nerve plant (also known as Fittonia albivenis) is a wonderful tropical houseplant for tabletops, hanging baskets, and terrariums. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates. Nerve plants can have white, green, or bright pink veins. Only use fertilizer during the spring and summer months. written by. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. is a spreading evergreen with delicately veined, deep-green leaves. Because of this, they do well with filtered sunlight. This houseplant likes somewhat moist (but not wet, soggy) soil. If it isn’t, your plant could be overwatered, which I’ll explain below. I know that sounds like a lot of work, but it’s really not. Alexandra Jones is an avid urban grower and Master Gardener writing about houseplants, gardening, and sustainability from her home in Philadelphia. Here's What to Know About Growing and Caring for a Nerve Plant. Transforms CO2 into oxygen more effectively than most plants and removes harmful particles from the air. Nerve plants are sometimes accused of “fainting.” When a nerve plant doesn’t get enough water, the entire plant will begin to droop. It should be moist to the touch, but not completely saturated with water. Just make sure to give your plant some time between each feeding. Our nerve plant has never been happier. Houseplanthelp.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I was sure I had killed it. It’s a good idea to use a soil that’s heavy on organic material and has some peat or sand to encourage drainage. Brown, dried out leaves are often a sign that your nerve plant has gotten too much direct sunlight, and the leaves are sunburned. That depends on the conditions in your home. During the winter, it’s important not to keep them near windows or areas where cold drafts might hit it. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. If it feels even slightly dry, add more water. It will not tolerate direct sun or low light. If it doesn’t perk up, move on to the next steps. Nerve plants are one of the few plants whose leaves are often considered more attractive than their flowers. I’ve broken it down into a few main elements of care you need to consider when caring for your nerve plant. Nerve Plant Botanical Name Fittonia spp. If you’re using a liquid fertilizer, make sure to dilute it with water before applying. How do you water Fittonia? There are several species of nerve plant, and the veins can range in color from a silver/white to pink or red. We’ll talk about watering more in depth later, but keeping the soil moist at all times will also help your plant retain some moisture. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The polka dot plant is a lively and beautiful little plant with brightly spotted leaves that stand out especially well against other plants. But as a rule, check your nerve plant every day by touching the top of the soil. I was horrified the first time I walked into my kitchen – where my nerve plant lives – and saw the leaves limp and drooping over the sides of the pot. Luckily, it was an easy fix. Nerve plants are a low-light plant. In the wild, they line the rainforest floors and are shaded by the surrounding trees. Put them in a mass of ferns or ivies, and their colors will stand out in bright contrast. Water & humidity. Every single time my nerve plant gets droopy, it’s because it needs water. Again, being careful not to overwater. Heat has the potential to make things toasted and crispy. Nerve plants are stunning houseplants that can easily adapt to any home. Nerve plant is a low-growing creeper that is a perfect fit for terrariums or bottle gardens. This unique appearance led to Fittonia’s common name of nerve plant. As a tropical plant, Fittonia needs high humidity levels. It’s also known as the birds nest fern. These plants respond negatively to low humidity environments and a drafty area will dry the leaves out. In fact, I wrote a whole blog post … Another fern in this same family is the spleenwort! You may notice a few brown spots on one or two leaves, or you may realize that all the leaves on the plant are starting to look crispy and brittle. 24. Active 1 year, 3 months ago. The best way to get the finest soil for a Nerve Plant is to find one that’s rich in organic matter. MyDomaine's Editorial Guidelines. So, if you notice that your Nerve Plant’s leaves have brown patches and are crispy, move it to a location away from sunlight. Trying to decide which houseplant to pick up on your next trip to the greenhouse? Fittonia will droop significantly if you let it get too dry. Nerve plants aren’t especially picky, though, and many soil mixtures labeled for houseplants will work. This means they can also be a good choice of plant for an office and can survive in rooms with fewer windows. Nerve plant cultivars such as the ‘Red Anne’ or ‘White Anne’ have smaller leaves with white or pinkish-red veins. Water nerve plant when the soil surface just barely starts to dry. In addition to these waterings, I mist it a couple times a week since my apartment is fairly dry. It keeps the relative humidity at 40 – 60 percent, which is perfect for nerve plant and other tropical plants. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. If you are worried that you don’t have a green thumb or the best luck when it comes to caring for plants, don’t worry! However, after two years of some trial and error, my nerve plant is still alive and continually showing new sprouts. Viewed 1k times 0. Nerve plant with curly crunchy leaves. However, as you learn how much to water your plant or how much sun to give it, you’ll also need to learn to recognize problem signs. Solutions It wasn’t doing too well after a few weeks (and I know it wasn’t due to lack of humidity). With these care tips, yours can too! Fittonia is very picky about the amount of light it needs. Since moving apartments in June 2018 it's been looking worse and worse. The bright veins – which can be silver, white, light green, or pink – look like nerves running through the plant’s dark green leaves. However, if you see yellowing or browning leaves, cut back on the amount of water you give it. With enough water, the intricate veins will shine. So, how can you fix a drooping nerve plant? Let the soil dry out 1-2cm down in winter. If you keep humidity high and water regularly, we’ve not found nerve plant difficult to keep healthy and beautiful. After nearly 20 years indoor gardening, I created this website to share my knowledge and love of plants with you. Nerve plants, also called Fittonia Albivenis, are leafy plants distinguished by their colorful veins. Things like pruning and fertilizing seem like the work of a real gardener, and I thought houseplants would be easy! If the soil is damp or soggy, your plant is probably overwatered. Wait about a week and check to see if it’s looking better. Root rot can be hard to fix, but you can start by repotting your nerve plant with fresh, dry dirt and reassessing your watering schedule. Nerve plants are considered a great terrarium plant. You can place them near a window with a sheer curtain or just keep them out of direct sunlight. The important thing is to make sure they are getting some light without being hit by constant direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves. Even during the summer months, you want to avoid placing your nerve plant in direct contact with airflow from the air conditioning. Pruning is a way to encourage growth in certain directions and focus the plant’s energy on healthy leaf growing rather than just upward growth. Light is an important element of plant care, but so is heat. Placing the potted plant on a wet pebble tray will also increase humidity around the plant (1). If you see brown, crispy leaf edges, give the plant more humidity. Why is Fittonia called nerve plant? This allows the plant to get atmospheric moisture like it would in the rainforest. Fittonia are native to the rainforests of South America. Alexandra Jones. Or, if you already have a nerve plant and just want to make sure you’re taking care of it well, this guide will help you identify problems and change your care strategy to make sure your nerve plant is thriving. I remember coming back from a vacation and finding that all the stems of my nerve plant had bent over the edge of the pot. Water evenly and always keep the soil moist – but never wet. But it’s not impossible to grow in a pot. We installed a fluorescent light in the top of the window. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. We bought this inexpensive light from Amazon and my husband installed it in the top of the window. Nerve plant loves high humidity, so keep the air moist so the leaves look their best. I've had this nerve plant for several years. And the thumb rule is water your plant again when it is dry from the top five centimeters. Nerve plants should be pruned for optimal growth. The flowers are often thought to be underwhelming compared to the beauty of the leaves, so many gardeners cut off the flower in order to save more energy for the leaves. ... Nerve plants grow in light shade at the bottom of tropical forests, spreading out as a low groundcover. It thrives in a humid terrarium! When we first got our nerve plant, we put it in a shady window in the kitchen just above the sink. Within hours of giving some water to my plant, I could see the stems strengthening and straightening back up. As a tropical rainforest plant, Fittonia needs a lot of moisture – through moist soil and high humidity – to keep its beautiful foliage. But sometimes, something called life happens, and I either get too tired or busy and I let my plants dry out more than I normally do. You may have to experiment with your plant to see what works best. If the air gets too dry, the leaves may droop and appearance may decline. Nerve plants can survive a lot, but it takes a bit of attention and love to make sure they thrive. If this is the case, you’ll see the plant perk back up within a day. Unless you know for sure that the plant isn’t underwatered, chances are a drooping plant does need a big drink. Fittonias, also known as Nerve Plants, are beautiful house plants with some of the most beautiful leaf coloration of any indoor plant. Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, so keep an eye out. Being a tropical plant, nerve plants do want some warmth. How much water does the plant need? The plant is native to the warm, humid regions of South America, especially Peru. Here’s how to save your plant and keep it perky and beautiful for years to come. The roots systems tend to be quite sensitive to temperature change, so pouring col… After watering a drooping nerve plant, give it a few hours or even overnight to return to its normal shape. Water regularly and you should start to see growth in no time. A crispy wave fern is one of the most unique plants you can grow in your home. It mostly just needs a lot of love and attention. What is the Average Wallpapering Costs to Update Your Decor? There are many cultivars of the nerve plant that feature many different styles of veining and foliage. While a severe burn may never recover, the new growth should look healthy and green. If your nerve plant is growing well, you can use cuttings to propagate.