Fittonia Green Indoor Plant (Nerve Plant)
Botanical name: Fittonia albivenis (green/white-veined forms)
Family: Acanthaceae
Common names: Nerve Plant, Mosaic Plant

Overview

Fittonia is a compact, creeping tropical plant prized for its highly decorative leaves with striking white or pale-green veins set against a deep green background. It’s native to the rainforests of Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador, where it grows as a groundcover under warm, humid, low-light conditions.

The green Fittonia (often called Fittonia albivenis ‘White Anne’ or similar cultivars) is slightly more forgiving than red or pink varieties, making it popular as a houseplant, terrarium plant, and vivarium plant.

Appearance

• Leaves: Oval, soft, thin; green with white or silvery veins

• Growth habit: Low-growing, spreading, mat-forming

• Height: 3–6 inches (7–15 cm)

• Spread: 8–18 inches (20–45 cm) with time

• Flowers: Small, yellowish-white spikes (generally insignificant; often pinched off)

Light Requirements

• Best: Bright indirect light

• Tolerates: Medium light

• Avoid: Direct sunlight (causes leaf scorch and fading)

Low light slows growth but keeps foliage intact; too much light causes stress.

Watering

Fittonia is not drought-tolerant.

• Keep soil consistently moist, never waterlogged

• Water when the top 1–2 cm of soil feels slightly dry

• Uses dramatic “wilting” as a warning sign—usually recovers quickly after watering

⚠️ Repeated wilting weakens the plant long-term.

Humidity

High humidity is critical.

• Ideal: 60–80%+

• Thrives in:

  • Terrariums

  • Closed glass containers

  • Bathrooms with natural light

• In dry rooms: use a humidifier or pebble tray

Low humidity causes:

• Crispy leaf edges

• Drooping

• Leaf drop

Temperature

• Ideal range: 18–27°C (65–80°F)

• Minimum: 15°C (59°F)

• Avoid cold drafts, AC vents, and sudden temperature changes

Soil

• Light, well-draining but moisture-retentive mix:

  • Peat or coco coir

  • Perlite

  • Fine bark or compost

• pH: slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)

Fertilizer

• Feed lightly during active growth (spring–summer)

• Use balanced liquid fertilizer at ¼–½ strength

• Frequency: every 3–4 weeks

• Do not fertilize in winter

Pruning & Maintenance

• Pinch tips regularly to encourage bushy growth

• Remove leggy stems to maintain compact form

• Flowers can be removed to redirect energy to foliage

Propagation

Very easy.

Stem cuttings:

1. Cut a 5–8 cm stem below a node

2. Remove lower leaves

3. Root in:

   • Water, or

   • Moist soil / sphagnum moss

4. Roots form in ~1–2 weeks

Common Problems

Toxicity

• Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans
  Safe for homes with pets.

Use Cases

• Indoor houseplant

• Terrariums & bottle gardens

• Vivariums (with reptiles/amphibians)

• Decorative groundcover in plant arrangements

⚠️ Not a true aquatic plant
Fittonia cannot live submerged long-term; it will rot if kept underwater (unlike aquarium plants).

Summary

The green Fittonia nerve plant is:

• Visually striking

• Compact and versatile

• Ideal for humid indoor environments

• Best for attentive plant owners who water consistently