Why so sad??
I adopted this nerve plant on 9/21 and she was thriving and robust! Over the past couple of days she seems to be having a hissy fit over something and I can’t figure out why? She’s in a south facing room with plenty of indirect sunlight and great air flow, planted in a terracotta pot with plenty of room to stretch her roots and she was last watered about 7 days ago. Why is she so sad?? #Fittonia #NervePlant
0ft to light, indirect
6” pot with drainage
Last watered 1 month ago
11
I love my nerve plant but I’ve ensured not to plant mine in nothing but plastic and placed in into a terracotta pot for aesthetics. Terracotta is a water wicking nightmare for a water loving plant. Give it a couple days after a VEEEERRY big drink and see if she’ll come back around, if not, plonk her into a plastic pot with good drainage and let her have her temper tantrum in something different LOL
Here is what I got off Google after “searching the image” The image shows a wilting nerve plant, or Fittonia albivenis. This plant is known for its dramatic wilting when it becomes too dry, but it typically recovers quickly after being watered.
Watering: Nerve plants prefer consistently moist, well-draining soil. Allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings can cause the plant to wilt dramatically.
Light: The plant thrives in bright to medium, indirect light. Direct sunlight can cause the leaves to shrivel and fall off.
Humidity: Nerve plants are native to tropical rainforests and prefer a humid environment. Dry air can cause the leaves to wilt.
Recovery: While the wilting is a clear sign of thirst, some sources suggest that waiting for the plant to wilt can be a sign of stress and is not ideal for the plant's long-term health. I keep a close eye on my drama queen…I don’t have too big of a pot for this one. They are very slow growers, “knock on wood” so far I’ve been pretty lucky. Make sure there isn’t a draft as well.
Watering: Nerve plants prefer consistently moist, well-draining soil. Allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings can cause the plant to wilt dramatically.
Light: The plant thrives in bright to medium, indirect light. Direct sunlight can cause the leaves to shrivel and fall off.
Humidity: Nerve plants are native to tropical rainforests and prefer a humid environment. Dry air can cause the leaves to wilt.
Recovery: While the wilting is a clear sign of thirst, some sources suggest that waiting for the plant to wilt can be a sign of stress and is not ideal for the plant's long-term health. I keep a close eye on my drama queen…I don’t have too big of a pot for this one. They are very slow growers, “knock on wood” so far I’ve been pretty lucky. Make sure there isn’t a draft as well.
@TheGreenYogi
Hi Crissy!
From what I understand, Nerve Plants like to be enclosed so they can receive the maximim amount of humidity.
In their native habitat, they live on the ground and do best when they can roam.
Not upwards, but along the topsoil.
Whishing you the best!
Mine died pretty quickly after I got it because I was treating it as a "regular" plant.
Hi Crissy!
From what I understand, Nerve Plants like to be enclosed so they can receive the maximim amount of humidity.
In their native habitat, they live on the ground and do best when they can roam.
Not upwards, but along the topsoil.
Whishing you the best!
Mine died pretty quickly after I got it because I was treating it as a "regular" plant.
When I first got my nerve plant she was tiny and I put her in my east facing windowsill. It never had a full meltdown like yours but was clearly NOT thriving and her leaves were super crispy. Then I read they like humidity so since I live in S Florida I moved her outside with filtered east facing light only. She’s been thriving since even through a brief run in with mealies!
@PlantTherapy101 so what I meant to say was maybe try a humidifier if you don’t live in a humid climate.
All my nerve plants are kept in either an enclosed / semi-enclosed terrarium OR in my mini diy greenhouse… They need the humidity.
They are actually hella resilient and will look dead, but once you fix their environment, they literally resurrect!!!
They are actually hella resilient and will look dead, but once you fix their environment, they literally resurrect!!!
