Growing Fittonia albivenis – How To Grow Nerve Plant

Growing Fittonia Albivenis is very easy for beginners, since it doesn’t mind low light. 

This pretty little indoor plant adds a distinctive touch to your home decor. 

The variety of fittonia is also known as Pink Angel. and is a distinctive plant with dark green leaves which have brightly colored pink veins.

There is also a red veined version that words wonderfully as a Christmas plant.

 

Where does fittonia albivenis grow naturally?

The plant is a native of Peru. The deeply veined leaves of fittonia albivenis have a trailing habit, which lets them spill over the edges of a pot or basket container.

Since this is a tropical plant and only hardy to zone 11, it is grown in most areas as a houseplant.

Common Names for Fittonia Albivenis

This pretty plant is known by several common names. The most common one is nerve plant and one only has to look at the leaves of the plant to see why.  The veins look amazingly like nerves.

Also if you look at a pair of the leaves, you can see where the name Pink Angel comes from.  Two other common names for the plant are Mosaic plant and Painted Net Leaf.

Tips for Growing Fittonia Albivenis

This lovely plant is relatively easy to grow.  The main consideration for keeping it healthy is to manage the humidity.  In order to keep it in good condition, here are some tips for growing Fittonia Pink Angel.

Light Conditions

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.

If you have a North facing window, this is an ideal spot for the plant, since it will get far less light here but it will still be a bright spot.

I have a collection of low light plants on a table near a window that faces north and they do very well here. (See other low light indoor plants here.)

Watering

Pink Angel fittonia enjoys even moisture. I like to water my plant when the surface of the soil just starts to dry out. Insert a finger into the soil and if it is dry to about the first knuckle, give it a drink. Don’t over water, though, since the plant does not like wet and soggy soil.

Leaf Color and Flowers

The leaves of fittonia albivenis are green with deep veins that are colored pink. The underside of the leaves are a lighter green color.

Mature leaves of fittonia have a deeper pink color to the veins, but newer growth is lighter in color with a whitish pink color.

The plant does have blooms when it gets just the right conditions but is grown more for the leaves than for the flowers.  The blooms are rather insignificant and can be both reddish or white.

They have the shape of spikes and their color makes them blend in with the foliage.  It is rare to see a fittonia grown as a houseplant in bloom.

The size of the plant can grow to 12-18 inches or larger.

Humidity Needs

Like many tropical houseplants, the nerve plant loves humidity.  It will benefit from a weekly spray with a plant mister.  It is also the perfect  choice for growing in terrariums where the level of humidity is naturally high.

Temperature Requirements

Be sure that the temperature of the room where you are growing fittonia albivenis is kept around 60 º F or higher.  This means keeping it away from drafty windows when the temperatures outside are cold.

The plant likes it best around 70 degrees and will not do well in rooms that are hotter than 80 degrees.

Fertilizing nerve plant

Fittonia albivenis grows best if it is fertilized monthly with a general all purpose house plant fertilizer during the growing season.  (You can also make your own plant fertilizer with house hold items.)

The winter months are a slow growing time for most houseplants, so hold off on fertilizing at this time.

Containers for Nerve Plant

This plant add a pretty decorative touch to any spot where you place it indoors.  It looks pretty in hanging baskets, makes a nice table plant and also is the prefect choice for terrariums.

Grow this pink variegated variety of fittonia in plant pots that showcase the color of the leaves. I chose a neon green outer pot that highlights the under side of the leaves but it would also look really pretty in a bright pink pot.

Varieties of Fittonia

There are several color varieties of fittonia. It belongs to the herbaceous perennial Acanthus family.   In addition to the pink veined type shown here, there is also a deep red veined plant,(Fittonia pearcei)  as well as one with deep white veins. (Fittonia verschaffeltii argyroneura)

All forms of the plant like similar growing conditions. For a larger variety of the plant, try growing  fittonia gigantea, which can grow to 24 inches and has purple stems with dark green leaves and deep red veins.

There is quite a bit of variation in the veins and leaf colors of fittonia plants from pure white to deep crimson.

Propagation of Fittonia Albivenis

Get more plants for free by taking stem cuttings of pink angel fittonia. Dip the ends of the stems in a rooting powder and insert them in a well draining seed starting medium.

When the stems have developed roots, transfer to normal potting soil. Cuttings are best done in late spring or early summer when the growing season is at its prime.

Growing fittonia albivenis is generally quite easy.  As long as you don’t over water the plant or let it dry out, it does fairly well.  One pest that seems to find it attractive is the mealybug, which loves the plants soft stems and leaves.

If you are looking for a pretty table plant or perfect terrarium plant, try growing Fittonia Pink Angel.  You’ll be glad you did!

Would you like a reminder of these tips for growing fittonia albivenis? Just pin this image to one of your gardening boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.

Admin note: This post first appeared on the blog in February of 2018. I have updated the post to add new photos, a printable care card and a video for you to enjoy.

Yield: A good indoor house plant

Growing Fittonia albivenis - How To Grow Nerve Plant

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This variety of fittonia is also known as Pink Angel. and is a distinctive plant with dark green leaves which have brightly colored pink veins. Growing Fittonia Albivenis is very easy for beginners, since it doesn't mind low light.

Active Time 30 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Difficulty moderate

Estimated Cost $5-$10

Materials

• 1 Fittonia plant
• Decorative pot
• Plant mister
• Rooting Powder

Instructions

1. Sunlight: Bright filtered light. A North facing window is best.
2. Watering: Add more water when the soil is dry about 1 inch down.
3. Soil: Well draining potting soil.
4. Humidity: The pant needs humidity. Place on a pebble tray with water or mist weekly.
5. Temperature: Keep at 60 degrees F or higher.
6. Fertilizing: Fertilize monthly during the growing season. Hold off in the winter when the plant is more dormant.
7. Propagation: Stem cuttings (under a plastic dome is best for humidity needs) Rooting powder helps to promote root growth.

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