Nerve Plant Fittonia albivenis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Bertolonia mosaica
- Fittonia albivenis
- Phonetic Spelling
- fit-TOH-neeuh al-bih-VEN-iss
- Description
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This tropical plant is commonly grown as a houseplant where it thrives on bright to medium light, average to cool room temperature, and medium humidity. It performs well under fluorescent lights. It is low growing and spreading and works well in a pot or hanging basket and stays fairly small.
The leaves are green and beautifully veined in red, pink or white. Leaves will shrivel and fall off in dry air, drafts, or direct sun. Pinching the stems may keep the plant bushy and full. Roots are shallow so you can keep it in a small pot. Plant in well-drained potting soil. If it gets too dry it will dramatically wilt but it comes back after getting a drink. Recommend watering two times a week.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves are veined in white, pink or red
- Leaves are non-pubescent
- Plant is low-growing and creeping
Desirable as foliage plant because of colorful veining on leaves. It is easily distinguished from Episcia or Saintpaulia by non-pubescent leaves. The creeping stems will root. This plant is used as desktop plant or as a groundcover in interiorscapes.
Problems: Watch for mealybugs, scale, spider mites and slugs.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Fittonia
- Species:
- albivenis
- Family:
- Acanthaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern Tropical America
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 5 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Houseplant
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- Insignificant. An erect, 4-angled, terminal spike to 3", partially concealed by bracts. White, small, barely showing from overlapping bracts; corolla tubular, bilabiate. Blooms July to Aug.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Pink
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Deep green ovate leaves with short petioles are 2-4 inches long and 1-3 inches wide. They have showy veins of white, pink, or red are opposite, simple, crowded, entire, glabrous and reticulate.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Succulent, prostrate, and creeping with hairs. Stems are green, maroon or green with maroon markings.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
