Photo: Amanda FisherCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Nerve Plant Plant Care
Fittonia albivenis (Veitch) Brummitt
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Fittonia albivenis is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae, native to the rainforests of Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and northern Brazil. An evergreen perennial, it is notable for its dark green foliage with strongly contrasting white or red veins.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Nerve Plant?
Water Nerve Plant every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
What Is the Nerve Plant?
Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis) belongs to the Acanthaceae family within the Fittonia genus. Nerve Plant is native to the rainforests of Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and northern Brazil. Nerve Plant is also known as Mosaic Plant, Silver-veined Fittonia.
Nerve Plant displays a low, creeping ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Nerve Plant produces small, insignificant blooms.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Nerve Plant?
Fittonia albivenis requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Nerve Plant Need?
Nerve Plant thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Nerve Plant in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Nerve Plant Prefer?
Fittonia albivenis grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Nerve Plant prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Nerve Plant?
Well-draining, peat-based potting mix with added perlite for aeration. Good drainage is essential for Nerve Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Nerve Plant?
Feed Nerve Plant every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Nerve Plant?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Nerve Plant?
Nerve Plant can be propagated through stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to fittonia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Nerve Plant Toxic to Pets and Children?
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry
Non-toxic to humans and pets
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Nerve Plant?
Nerve Plant is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Nerve Plant Need?
Nerve Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Nerve Plant is native to the rainforests of Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and northern Brazil. In cooler regions, grow Nerve Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Nerve Plant is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Fittonia genus — compare its care with other Fittonia species on PlantoScan.
Fittonia is part of the Acanthaceae plant family — browse all Acanthaceae genera and species.
Nerve Plant thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Fittonia albivenis (Veitch) Brummitt, family Acanthaceae (first published in Bot. Mag. 182: 165 (1979)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Nerve Plant as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: Amanda Fisher, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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