Nerve plant (fittonia) Fittonia albivenis
Nerve plant (fittonia) (Fittonia albivenis) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Acanthaceae family, native to Rainforest of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. It grows 8–15 cm (3–6 in) tall and 20–40 cm (8–16 in) wide, wants shade and high water, and is hardy to about 13 °C (55 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
Plan Nerve plant (fittonia) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Nerve plant (fittonia) at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Acanthaceae |
| Mature height | 8–15 cm (3–6 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 1 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 13 °C (55 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Rainforest of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil |
| Common in gardens of | 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands |
Is Nerve plant (fittonia) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous to cats or dogs (ASPCA).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Nerve plant (fittonia)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and high water.
Questions about Nerve plant (fittonia)
- How far apart should I plant Nerve plant (fittonia)?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–40 cm (8–16 in).
- Does Nerve plant (fittonia) need full sun?
- Shade: at least 1 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Nerve plant (fittonia) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Nerve plant (fittonia)?
- It tolerates about 13 °C (55 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- Is Nerve plant (fittonia) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous to cats or dogs (ASPCA).
- What grows well with Nerve plant (fittonia)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Nerve plant (fittonia). Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- A tropical plant: outdoors only in frost-free, humid climates; elsewhere a houseplant for bright, indirect light that likes warmth and humidity and hates cold draughts.
- A low mat of oval leaves netted with white, pink or red veins. It collapses dramatically when dry and revives within an hour of watering; best in a terrarium or bottle garden where the air stays humid.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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