Fittonia (Nerve Plant) care guide
Fittonia albivenis · Acanthaceae
Fittonia (Fittonia albivenis) is a terrarium plant. It belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It is native to Tropical rainforests of South America: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela and northern Brazil. It needs bright indirect diffused light light. Water temperature: 16°C – 26°C. Care difficulty: Easy. Growth rate: slow to moderate (rhs: compact, slow-growing).
How do you care for Fittonia (Nerve Plant)?
| Light | Bright indirect diffused light (direct sun scorches; too little light yellows the leaves) |
|---|---|
| CO₂ | High humidity (hobby guides give about 60% – 90%) |
| Temperature | 16°C – 26°C |
| Placement | Terrarium floor and moist crevices (foreground ground cover) |
| Growth | Slow to Moderate (RHS: compact, slow-growing) |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Family | Acanthaceae |
How do you trim and propagate Fittonia (Nerve Plant)?
No structural pruning needed; remove dead leaves and stems. Pinch leggy tips to keep the mat dense. Propagate from ~5 cm tip cuttings kept humid (spring–summer); creeping stems root where they touch soil, and big clumps can be divided if the centre dies back.
What problems affect Fittonia (Nerve Plant)?
Leaves brown, shrivel and drop from dry air, draughts or direct sun; the whole plant collapses when the soil dries (usually recovering within hours of watering); yellowing and root rot from waterlogging; grey mould (Botrytis) in stagnant humid air; spider mites, mealybugs and scale.
How do you fix Fittonia (Nerve Plant) problems?
Raise humidity and keep out of direct sun; water thoroughly when it wilts; use a free-draining mix, water less and avoid standing water; cut out mouldy parts and ventilate the vessel; isolate and treat infested plants.
Where does Fittonia (Nerve Plant) come from?
Tropical rainforests of South America: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela and northern Brazil · Biotope regions: terrestrial.
What should you know before buying Fittonia (Nerve Plant)?
Listed as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses (NC State Extension).
Sources
- Fittonia albivenis (Lindl. ex Veitch) Brummitt — Kew, Plants of the World Online
- Fittonia albivenis — NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Fittonia albivenis — Wikipedia
- How to grow fittonia — Royal Horticultural Society
- Fittonia albivenis (Argyroneura Group) — Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
Care details checked against these sources on 2026-09-23.
Which aquascapes and tanks use Fittonia (Nerve Plant)?
- Closed terrarium: how to build one that lasts
- Paludarium: how to build a half-land, half-water tank
- Riparium: a riverbank tank with plants above the water
See Fittonia (Nerve Plant) in a living world
- Driftwood Study — terrarium
- Zen Mountain Stream & Buddha Shrine — paludarium
- Rocky Mountain Waterfall — paludarium
- Tropical Jar Forest — terrarium
- Cloud Forest Mossarium — terrarium
- Mountain Valley & Lake — paludarium
Last updated · Open the interactive 3D guide · All species care guides