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Nerve Plant

4.6 out of 5 (313 experiences)

Survivor

Fast grower

About Nerve Plant

The nerve plant is known for its striking, colored veins and powerful ability to cure headaches and snakebites. Its veins come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, and red. This dramatic plant will easily wilt when dry, but quickly recovers once watered. In its natural habitat, nerve plants grow as a ground cover in Ecuador and Peru and are used by indigenous peoples to give strength to their hunting dogs. 🐕

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Fittonia albivenis

Genus

Fittonia

Family

Acanthaceae

Order

Lamiales

Also known as

Mosaic Plant, Painted Net Leaf, Fittonia argyroneura, Fittonia verschaffeltii, Nerve Plant 'Frankie', Fittonia Frankie Nerve Plant, Nerve Plant 'ruby red', Nerve Plant 'mini white', Zalm Ruby Lime, Zalm Ruby Lime Nerve Plant, White Tiger Nerve Plant, 'White Tiger' Nerve Plant, Skelton Primetime, Fittonia Pink Anne and Pink Fittonia

How to care for Nerve Plant

💦 Water

How often to water your Nerve Plant

Nerve Plant needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Nerve Plant in your home

Nerve Plant may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Nerve Plant in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Nerve Plant

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Nerve Plant: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Nerve Plant after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Fittonia

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Nerve Plant is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Nerve Plant →

Benefits of Growing Nerve Plant →

Common Nerve Plant Problems →

Indoor Care Guide for Nerve Plant →

Outdoor Care Guide for Nerve Plant →

💦 Water Needs

Nerve Plant prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Nerve Plant Water Frequency →

Nerve Plant Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Nerve Plant may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Nerve Plant Light Requirements →

Nerve Plant Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Nerve Plant is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

💨 Humidity

Nerve Plant doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.

Nerve Plant Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Nerve Plant does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Nerve Plant →

Best Pots for Nerve Plant →

When and How to Successfully Repot Nerve Plant →

What Are Healthy Nerve Plant Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Nerve Plant should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Nerve Plant →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Nerve Plant to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Nerve Plant is native to Colombia and Peru.

🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Nerve Plant bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Nerve Plant Flowers →

Is Nerve Plant an Annual Plant? →

Is Nerve Plant a Perennial Plant? →

Nerve Plant Pollination Guide →

Common Nerve Plant Flower Problems →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Nerve Plant grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Nerve Plant Lifecycle →

Nerve Plant Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Nerve Plant →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Nerve Plant can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 11a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Nerve Plant Temperature Tolerance →

Nerve Plant Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Nerve Plant →

When to Plant Nerve Plant →

How to Plant Nerve Plant →

Where to Plant Nerve Plant →

Winter Care for Nerve Plant →

Best Companion Plants for Nerve Plant →

Is Nerve Plant a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

Nerve Plant can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:

Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.

How to Propagate Nerve Plant →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Nerve Plant, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

Common Bugs Affecting Nerve Plant →

What Eats Nerve Plant? →

Care Summary for Nerve Plant

Nerve Plant

Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 3ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Survivor 155

Fast grower 140

Large, lush leaves 63

Browns easily 35

Easy to propagate 29

Blooms easily 13

Pest magnet 6

@@AndyLuvsPlants

11 Plants

282 XP

Virginia Beach, VA

03/27/2022

I just love the fact that my dog wants to eat to when his tummy feels a little weird.

Survivor

Nerve Plant plant photo by @AndyLuvsPlants named My Dog's Favorite Plant on Greg, the plant care app.

@@jeanbpdx

25 Plants

2,899 XP

Portland, OR

03/23/2022

Came back after serious neglect. What a trooper!

Survivor

Nerve Plant plant photo by @jeanbpdx named Ronaldo on Greg, the plant care app.

@@SubstantialKate

11 Plants

745 XP

03/16/2022

Very dramatic plants

Survivor

Nerve Plant plant photo by @SubstantialKate named Peruru on Greg, the plant care app.

@@K1000o

2 Plants

45 XP

Guayaquil, Guayas

03/07/2022

This plant seems to be bushy, sometimes needy for some water for its leaves to stand still but overall a easy-to-care plant. :)

Large, lush leaves

Survivor

Fast grower

Nerve Plant plant photo by @K1000o named Girnaldo on Greg, the plant care app.

@@EagerPhlox

32 Plants

8,651 XP

Baltimore, MD

03/05/2022

They’re easy. Keep out of direct light and water once a week.

Survivor

Nerve Plant plant photo by @EagerPhlox named Nervous Nellie on Greg, the plant care app.

@@AvidAgboy

1 Plants

31 XP

Jacksonville, NC

02/13/2022

So pretty!

Nerve Plant plant photo by @AvidAgboy named White anne on Greg, the plant care app.

@@BossChayote

114 Plants

19,615 XP

Panama City, FL

02/09/2022

This is a beautiful plant with its own personality.

Nerve Plant plant photo by @BossChayote named Fritta on Greg, the plant care app.

@@YveO

74 Plants

5,311 XP

02/06/2022

I’m a newbie with this one but do far, no major shout outs. It’s still in its nursery pot. I keep it near a humidifier, bottom water every 5-7 days and and ensure the top soil remains moist.

Nerve Plant plant photo by @YveO named Pinky and The Brain on Greg, the plant care app.

@@KeenApple

5 Plants

92 XP

01/31/2022

Not as pouty as Jae but needs repotted :)

@@KeenApple

5 Plants

92 XP

01/31/2022

Very pouty when thirsty… pops right back up when watered

Fast grower

Survivor

Nerve Plant plant photo by @KeenApple named Jae on Greg, the plant care app.

@@LuckyBroom

4 Plants

74 XP

Los Angeles, CA

01/21/2022

Keep the soul wet ! She’s a little dramatic when not watered

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

Nerve Plant plant photo by @LuckyBroom named Foxxy on Greg, the plant care app.

@@mommys_plants

6 Plants

520 XP

01/19/2022

super great for new plant parents!

Survivor

Browns easily

Nerve Plant plant photo by @mommys_plants named Robert on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Grammy08

25 Plants

779 XP

Milaca, MN

01/18/2022

I don’t know much about this plant

Easy to propagate

Nerve Plant plant photo by @Grammy08 named Gates on Greg, the plant care app.

@@NCMomma

13 Plants

2,602 XP

Greensboro, NC

01/14/2022

Cute plant! Easy to care for because it “faints” when it needs water.

Survivor

Nerve Plant plant photo by @NCMomma named Nemo on Greg, the plant care app.

@@kristi.plants

5 Plants

76 XP

01/13/2022

This is a perfect indoor house plant! It’s leaves have what looks like veins which really makes it stand out and it’s fairly easy to care for. One of my favorites for sure!

Easy to propagate

Survivor

Nerve Plant plant photo by @kristi.plants named Silver on Greg, the plant care app.

@@PreciseChives

4 Plants

56 XP

Lowell, MA

12/30/2021

So cute

Nerve Plant plant photo by @PreciseChives named Angel on Greg, the plant care app.

@@campbellshaw

48 Plants

7,589 XP

Raleigh, NC

12/28/2021

if not watered right when it wants to be, very dramatic and droops easily

Large, lush leaves

Fast grower

Browns easily

Nerve Plant plant photo by @campbellshaw named Lola on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Icecreemman100

114 Plants

16,111 XP

Eau Claire, WI

12/12/2021

This is a stunning plant that is easy to keep and will play nice with pets.

Nerve Plant plant photo by @Icecreemman100 named Urdnot on Greg, the plant care app.

@@opheliaio

9 Plants

3,176 XP

Attleboro, MA

12/03/2021

i love all my nerve plants!! they are very good at telling you when they need water: their leaves will get very soft and droopy but will perk up soon after being watered. i live in a warm, dry room, and combined with having the plants in terra cotta pots, i find they need to be watered every few days. having a humidity tray has helped when i am out of town.

Fast grower

Nerve Plant plant photo by @opheliaio named Your plant on Greg, the plant care app.

@@thechromekitten

0 Plants

234 XP

11/23/2021

The little tag that came with the plant says to water when the soil feels dry, this app tells me to water every 10 days. I water it I think once a week. Misting the leaves also helps. Overall it’s a great plant for a beginner like me.