Fittonia albivenis

Overview: Popular as a Nerve plant, Fittonia albivenis is a low-growing perennial. It is native to South America and can be easily found in the wilds of Peru, Columbia, and Ecuador. Fittonia albivenis is a small plant, tropical in origin, and suitable for growing in terrariums and indoors. The major attraction of Fittonia is its dark green leaves, which have striking veins in the shades of green, red, and pink, hence the name ‘nerve plant.’ It is one of the popular choices for terrariums and indoor plants as it loves humidity.

Appearance: Fittonia albivenis is a small plant with cascading growth pattern. The dark green leaves with contrasting veins are the major attraction. It forms a dense-carpet like appearance and looks stunning when grown in terrariums. Also, being an easy to care plant, beginners can use it as well.

Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light is the most suitable for Fittonia albivenis to flourish. While under low light, the dark green color of the foliage may fade, direct sunlight may scorch the leaves. It performs well in terrariums which are not exposed to direct sunlight and the natural light comes through the glass.

Soil Requirements: Fittonia albivenis should be grown in well-drain, neutral soil in the terrariums. You may use potting mix and add perlite or sand for improved drainage. Soggy soil is a big no for terrarium plants.

Humidity: Fittonia albivenis is a tropical plant and prefer to have high humid conditions for growth. Humidity levels around 60% or higher are considered the best. Since terrariums have enclosed space, it benefits from the humidity inside which makes it an excellent choice for terrarium enthusiasts.

Watering: Ensure to maintain the soil moist without waterlogging by watering regularly. The top soil must dry out between each watering but not excessively as it may cause leaves to droop. Usually, in terrariums the frequency of watering is less as water takes more time to evaporate in enclosed space.

Air Circulation: Besides humidity, proper air circulation is also necessary for Fittonia albivenis. This is mainly because the chances of mold and fungus increase in enclosed spaces in terrariums. If your terrarium is completely sealed, open the lip occasionally so that fresh air can come in and reduce mold and fungal issues.

Trimming: The growing speed of Fittonia albivenis is slow; therefore, you don’t need to be too adamant about trimming. However, the growing pattern is cascading, so to ensure that the terrarium looks tidy, trim the branches accordingly. Overgrown stems should be cut, and yellow leaves should be removed to encourage fresh growth.

Other Requirements: You may add small amounts of fertilizers in the growing seasons of the plant, that is, spring and summer. Fertilizing once in a month is sufficient. Also, repotting after 1-2 years may be needed or you may need to replace the soil with a fresh one. It will ensure proper growth of the plant.