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4.6 out of 5 (318 experiences)


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
Fittonia albivenis
Fittonia
Acanthaceae
Lamiales
Also known as
Mosaic Plant, Painted Net Leaf, Fittonia argyroneura and Fittonia verschaffeltii

How to care for Nerve Plant

How often to water your Nerve Plant

every 9
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

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Nerve Plant in your home

a window
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 🏡.

How to fertilize Nerve Plant

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.

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!
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.
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 🏡.
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.
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!
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!
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.
Growth Pattern
Nerve Plant grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Nerve Plant can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 11b-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
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.
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!
Care Summary for Nerve Plant
Nerve Plant
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 3ft from a window

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












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.

