Fittonia Care Guide
Common Name: Nerve plant, Mosaic plant
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Fittonia
Botanical Name: Fittonia albivenis
Difficulty: Easy to care for
Light
Bright, indirect light is the best lighting to preserve a fittonia’s color. They can tolerate lower lighting conditions, but they will lose some of their pretty color if they aren’t in brighter light. A great way to give them the right amount of bright light is to filter it with a sheer cloth or blinds.
Water
You should let the top 25% of the soil dry before watering your fittonia. They like to be kept a little damp but not soggy. A good way to maintain this is by misting them!
Climate
Because they are native to rainforests they like to be kept in a warmer humid environment. They will be happiest in temperatures between 65-80°F. Mist them frequently to increase humidity. Because they like a humid environment, they don’t tolerate drafty areas very well, so be sure to keep them away from air vents and heaters.
Soil
Your fittonia will do just fine in a standard peat-moss based potting soil. It should be a well-draining soil that will retain a little bit of moisture.
Pests and Diseases
Be wary of spider mites and mealybugs that may prey on your fittonia.
Tips
They droop significantly when they need something.
Group your fittonia with other plants that need humidity to increase the humidity in their immediate area.
Trim a leggy fittonia by cutting where you want to see leaves grow.
Use a humidifier during the winter when it can be harder to maintain humidity.
Signs your fittonia isn’t happy
Droopy leaves: under watered
Lookin’ leggy: needs light
Leaf drop: too cold
Dry leaves: not enough humidity
Yellow leaves: too much water
How to propagate
It’s best to take cuttings from your fittonia in the spring and early summer. Choose a healthy shoot that has multiple leaves because you will need to prune off the bottom leaves of the stem. Pre-soak your standard potting mix and make a small hole for your cuttings in each pot or tray. Cover it with a jar or a plastic bag to increase humidity and reduce the chances of losing any moisture. Place them in a bright warm area that doesn’t receive direct sunlight.
Fun Facts
Fittonia are perfect for terrariums!
They can spread up to 18 inches.
They “faint” when they are stressed.
They can grow into a new plant around 2-3 months after propagating!
Hardiness Zones
Before you move your plant outside, be sure to check the hardiness zone to save yourself some grief and the loss of a beloved plant.
Hardiness zone for fittonia is: 11
If you live in Tennessee, here’s a hardiness map to help you decide if your plant can survive outside!
