Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Nerve Plant
Fittonia albivenis
The classic closed-terrarium plant. Bright leaf veins, loves humidity, dramatically wilts if it dries out (and perks back up fast).
- Terrarium type
- Closed
- Terrarium size
- Small
- Light
- Low to medium
- Care level
- Easy
- Growth habit
- Carpet
- Pet safety
- Non-toxic to pets
Growing Nerve Plant in a terrarium
Where to place it
Set it low in the layout where it can carpet the substrate. It tolerates shade well, so a spot lit only by indirect daylight suits it — bright veins hold their colour best out of direct sun.
Watering & humidity
Keep the substrate evenly moist at all times; in a sealed jar the trapped humidity does most of the work, so you'll rarely need to add water. Never let it dry out completely.
Watch out for
It wilts dramatically the moment the soil dries — alarming, but a quick mist and it usually perks back up within an hour. Persistent limpness means the roots have stayed too wet.
Reference: Fittonia albivenis on Wikipedia.
Nerve Plant FAQ
Can Nerve Plant grow in a closed terrarium?+
Yes — Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis) thrives in a closed terrarium. The sealed glass traps the constant, high humidity it needs, and it tolerates the lower light inside a covered vessel.
Can Nerve Plant grow in an open terrarium?+
It isn't recommended. Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis) wants the constant humidity of a sealed, closed terrarium and will quickly dry out and crisp up in an open, airy one.
What size terrarium does Nerve Plant need?+
Nerve Plant suits a small terrarium — jars & bottles. It has a carpet growth habit, so plan its position with that in mind and trim or divide it if it starts to outgrow the glass.
Is Nerve Plant easy to care for?+
Nerve Plant is rated easy to care for in a terrarium. The classic closed-terrarium plant. Bright leaf veins, loves humidity, dramatically wilts if it dries out (and perks back up fast). It wilts dramatically the moment the soil dries — alarming, but a quick mist and it usually perks back up within an hour. Persistent limpness means the roots have stayed too wet.
How much light does Nerve Plant need?+
Nerve Plant does best in low to medium light. Keep it out of direct sun, which magnifies through glass and scorches leaves. Set it low in the layout where it can carpet the substrate. It tolerates shade well, so a spot lit only by indirect daylight suits it — bright veins hold their colour best out of direct sun.
Is Nerve Plant safe for cats and dogs?+
Nerve plant (Fittonia albivenis) is non-toxic to cats and dogs according to the ASPCA, making it one of the safest closed-terrarium plants for a pet household.
