Nerve Plants

Nerve Plants Care

Fittonia verschaffetii

What is the plant

Fittonia is a decorative leafy beauty in the family Acanthaceae that can’t boast of either shade tolerance or fast growth. Flower growers consider it a problematic plant because of the high requirements for lighting, temperature, and air humidity. However, some enthusiasts take advantage of this whim, recognizing it as an ideal plant that can become an original element in a home interior.

Fittonia verschaffeltii, generally known by its other name, the Red Mosaic Plant, is a small ornamental deciduous plant with hard stems and oval green leaves with pink-red veins. Comfortable humidity and air temperature are the main factors for successful growth. The homeland of the herbaceous perennial plant F. verschaffeltii is South America, more specifically, Peru.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

18°C - 24°C

Hardiness zone

11 - 12

Difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
The root system of this plant reacts painfully both to the drying of the soil and to its generous moisture, as evidenced by the wilting of the leaves.
Pruning
Shoots must be pinched to maintain decorativeness. Mandatory pruning should be carried out two years after planting; otherwise, the parts of the shoots will spoil the appearance of the plant.
Fertilizer
It is necessary to fertilize in-house poison primrose during the budding period (as soon as you see fertilizing buds) with fertilizers for flowering plants every 14 days. You should water the Red Mosaic Plant after the soil’s surface layer becomes slightly dry. During the growth period in April-August, feed the plant twice a month with half-strength liquid fertilizer.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
It is desirable for a plant to choose a bright place in a room. It can be illuminated by artificial light. Put a flower pot on a north-facing windowsill on a stand to protect the roots in winter.
Soil
When choosing soil for planting, you can use purchased soil (for geraniums or violets) or prepare it yourself from coniferous and soddy soil (1 part each) with the addition of half less sand and peat.
Propagation
Ease of propagation is one of the advantages of this exquisite plant. You can do it by cutting, layering, or bush division.

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Temperature
The optimum temperature for keeping the plant should be stable and not deviate from 68-75 °F (20-24 °C).
Container
The classic way to grow Fittonia verschaffeltii is to plant it in a low pot, up to 3 in (7 cm). Make sure to put drainage at the bottom.
Fun fact
The plant was named after the English Fitton sisters, who created the first classic textbook of botany in the 19th century.