Nerve Plant

Botanical Name: Fittonia verschaffeltii

Nerve Plant has beautiful, deep-green leaves with vein patterns of white, pink, or red.

In its native South America, this tropical plant grows as a ground cover and can spread out about 12 inches (30 cm). Its low-spreading habit makes it ideal for dish gardens and terrariums, where it thrives with the help of high humidity.

Pinch your plant. Pinch stems regularly to keep plant bushy and full. Also pinch off any small flower spikes that may appear, because they are insignificant and will weaken the show of leaves.

Mist it. This tropical beauty loves to be misted. Give it a fine spray of tepid water every morning to provide the moist air it craves. Or, place the pot on a tray of wet pebbles to raise the humidity around it.

Repot in spring every couple years to refresh the soil. Nerve Plant has shallow roots, so you can keep it in a small pot.

Origin: Peru

Height: Up to 6 in (15 cm)

Light: Low to medium light. Grows well under fluorescent light.

Water: Keep soil constantly moist, but not soggy. Plant will collapse if it dries out.

Humidity: High humidity. Grows best in terrariums.

Temperature: Average room temperatures 65-75°F, 18-24°C

Soil: Peat-based potting mix that holds moisture well.

Fertilizer: Feed every 2-3 months spring through fall with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Propagation: Take stem cuttings in spring and insert them in moist potting mix. They propagate easily in a warm, humid environment, rooting in about 2-3 weeks.