Fittonia Care

Fittonia (Nerve Plant)

Overview

  • Compact foliage with dramatic, vein-like markings in white, pink, or red
  • Low-growing, humidity-loving plant that thrives in terrariums
  • Responds visibly to water stress—wilts when thirsty, perks up quickly
  • Best grown freeform to allow for natural mounding and soft trailing

Fittonia, also known as Nerve Plant, is a tactile plant—visibly reactive, finely veined, and beautifully suited to close-up viewing. It makes a perfect addition to terrariums and small containers, where it can soften edges and add living texture. At BoDurtha’s, we think of Fittonia as a grounding element: expressive, small-scale, and quietly lush.

Origins

Native to the rainforests of Peru and other parts of South America, where it grows as groundcover in humid, shaded environments.

Light Requirements

Prefers low to medium indirect light.

  • Too much direct light will scorch the delicate leaves
  • Low light tolerant, but colors remain more vivid in brighter conditions
  • Perfect for terrariums, bookshelves, or north-facing windows

Watering

Keep soil consistently moist, never soggy or dry for long.

  • Prone to dramatic wilting when underwatered, but revives quickly when rehydrated
  • Thrives with humidity above 50%—great for enclosed glass or grouped with other plants
  • Use distilled or filtered water if tap water is heavy in minerals

Soil & Potting

Plant in a moisture-retentive but breathable Aroid Mix.

  • Incorporate fine coco coir and perlite to retain moisture without compaction
  • Shallow pots or terrariums are ideal for root depth and humidity
  • Repot gently as needed to refresh soil or encourage slight spreading

Fertilizer

Feed lightly every 4–6 weeks during the growing season with a diluted foliage fertilizer.

  • Too much fertilizer can cause leaf tip burn or loss of color intensity
  • Skip feeding during winter unless actively growing under lights

Recommended Growth Style: Freeform

Fittonia thrives when left to gently sprawl or trail.

  • Perfect for terrariums, shallow dishes, or clustered displays
  • Pinch back to encourage fullness and control legginess
  • Use as a companion plant beneath larger aroids or ferns

Final Notes

Fittonia is expressive and deeply textured—ideal for those who appreciate quiet beauty and responsive plants. At BoDurtha’s, we recommend it to anyone seeking softness and motion in their indoor landscape. It's a small plant with a big presence, and one that rewards attention with liveliness.

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