Nerve Plant (Fittonia spp.)

Nerve Plant Plant Features

Nerve plant (also known as Fittonia albivenis) is a wonderful tropical houseplant for tabletops, hanging baskets, and terrariums. It adds a distinctive touch to indoor decor because nerve plant's rich green leaves are touched with bright pink, red, or white veins. It looks outstanding in pots that play off the colors of the veins, but contrasting colors also make an outstanding impression.

Because nerve plant is a small houseplant, it's perfect for homes and offices. It's an easy way to add beautiful color to your indoor decor. Nerve plants are also some of the most popular varieties in our collection of Exotic Angel houseplants.

Nerve Plant Questions?
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Nerve Plant Growing Instructions

Nerve plant grows best in low to medium light, though it also thrives in a sunny window if the light is filtered with a sheer curtain. If it gets too much hot sun, even indoors, the leaves may burn, turning brown and crispy.

Water nerve plant when the soil surface just barely starts to dry. This houseplant likes somewhat moist (but not wet, soggy) soil.

Nerve plant loves high humidity, so keep the air moist so the leaves look their best. It thrives in a humid terrarium!

Fertilize nerve plant a couple of times a year at minimum. For more growth, you can fertilize on a monthly basis, using a general-purpose houseplant fertilizer. Be sure to follow the directions on the fertilizer package.

Looking for more care tips? Don't miss our guide to Houseplant Basics!

Note: Nerve plant is not meant for human or animal consumption.

Water

Constantly moist soil
Light

Indoors: Low light

Indoors: Medium light
Colors

Green

Pink

Purple

Red

Variegated

White
Special Features

Purifies the air

Complement your Nerve Plant

Fern, Houseplant
Complement nerve plant's wonderful variegated foliage with the soft texture of houseplant ferns.

Pilea
Pilea and nerve plant look good together and like the same conditions. Both are especially good choices for terrariums.

Rex Begonia
Go colorful by pairing the bold foliage of Rex begonia with the red, pink, or white matching tones of nerve plant.

Our favorite varieties

Angel Snow Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Angel Snow'

Angel Snow is a lovely small houseplant that has rich green leaves veined in white.

Black Star Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Black Star'

Grow Black Star, a lovely houseplant, for its dark green leaves striped in bold purple red.

Daisy Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Daisy'

Daisy is a lovely nerve plant that has especially large, gray-green leaves and white veins.

Fortissimo Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Fortissimo'

One of the larger nerve plant varieties, Fortissimo has green leaves with pinkish-red veins.

Frankie Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Frankie'

Frankie is an exceptional variety whose dark green leaves have more pink coloring than green. It's a colorful houseplant for any room of your home!

Josan Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Josan'

A medium-sized nerve plant, Josan has green leaves and rich red veins.

Juanita Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Juanita'

Juanita is a bold, large-leaf nerve plant with bright red veins.

Leather Leaf Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Leather Leaf'

A lovely low-light houseplant, Leather Leaf nerve plant has big white foliage and bright white veins.

Mini White Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Mini White'

Mini White, as you might guess, is a small nerve plant with little green leaves and lovely white veins.

Mini Superba Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Mini Superba'

Mini Superba is a fun variety that has large leaves, a compact growth shape, and light pink veins.

Pink Star Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Pink Star'

Pink Star is a special variety that has small, wavy leaves broadly veined in pink.

Pink Vein Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Pink Vein'

A larger variety, Pink Vein has big leaves and dark pinkish-red veins.

Purple Vein Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Purple Vein'

Purple Vein is a large-leaf variety that offers light, lavender-purple veins contrasting against the dark green leaves.

Red Anne Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Red Anne'

Red Anne is a smaller plant perfect for terrariums. It has medium-green leaves and intense pinkish-red variegation.

Red Star Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Red Star'

Red Star is a lovely variety that has small green leaves heavily striped in rich, reddish-pink.

Red Vein Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Red Vein'

Red Vein is a big variety with large leaves and reddish-pink veins.

Stripes Forever Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Stripes Forever'

Stripes Forever is a delicate-looking, but easy-to-grow variety with small dark green leaves and lots of white veins.

Titanic Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Titanic'

We're not sure why Titanic, a smaller variety, got its name, but we love it just the same for its dark leaves and bright white veins.

White Anne Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'White Anne'

You'll love White Anne --- this houseplant's leaves are almost more white than green. It's perfect for adding bright color to small spaces.

White Brocade Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'White Brocade'

White Brocade offers big leaves and white veins. It's a lovely indoor plant for low-light spaces!

Mini Red Vein Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Mini Red Vein'

Mini Red Vein nerve plant, as you might guess from its name, features small leaves veined in dark reddish pink.

Pink Angel Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Pink Angel'

Pink Angel nerve plant is a showy variety that has small leaves, tight growth, and intense pink coloration.

Ruby Red Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Ruby Red'

Ruby Red nerve plant features dark green leaves dramatically variegated with rich red veins.

Superba Nerve Plant

Fittonia 'Superba'

Superba nerve plant is a spectacular variety that shows off large leaves smartly variegated in crisp white veins. It grows 8 inches (20 centimeters) tall and wide.