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Fittonia albivenis

Previously known as:

  • Bertolonia mosaica
  • Fittonia albivenis
Phonetic Spelling
fit-TOH-neeuh al-bih-VEN-iss
Description

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:
Tags:
#houseplant#low growing#showy leaves#interiorscape#hanging baskets#variegated#groundcover#fantz#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#low growing#showy leaves#interiorscape#hanging baskets#variegated#groundcover#fantz#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Houseplant
    Habit/Form:
    Spreading
    Weeping
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Houseplants