Fittonia aka Bubble Green Nerve Plant

Taxonomy

Genus Fittonia Family Acanthaceae Order Lamiales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta

Fittonia, also known as nerve plant, is a genus of flowering plants native to tropical rainforests in South America, primarily Peru. The most commonly grown Fittonia is F. albivenis and its cultivars, which are spreading evergreen perennials that grow 10-15 cm (4-6 in) tall. They have lush dark green leaves with accented veins of white to deep pink, and a short fuzz covering their stems. Small buds may appear over time where the stem splits into leaves. Fittonia is best kept in a moist area with mild sunlight and temperatures above 55 °F (13 °C), making it ideal as a houseplant or greenhouse plant as it is not frost hardy. Regular watering is necessary for its survival, as it is known to "faint" without water for a few days, but can be easily revived with a quick watering. Its spreading habit also makes it a great groundcover. One cultivar of Fittonia is 'Frankie', which has pink leaves with frilly green edges. Another variety is the rare White Anne Nerve Plant, which thrives with regular watering and abundant sunlight, and should be placed less than 3 feet from a window.

Common names

Bubble Green Nerve Plant, Fittonia 'Flammule', Pink Wave Nerve Plant, Red Anne Nerve Plant, Snakeskin Plant

How to care for Bubble Green Nerve Plant

Difficulty

With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Bubble Green Nerve Plant, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.

Water

Bubble Green Nerve Plant should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Bubble Green Nerve Plant loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Bubble Green Nerve Plant prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for Bubble Green Nerve Plant plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Humidity

The Bubble Green Nerve Plant does not demand additional humidity levels. Water is mostly absorbed by the roots of plants, rather than their leaves, and the best way to provide humidity to your plants is through watering the soil.

Fertilizer

Once the Bubble Green Nerve Plant has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Bubble Green Nerve Plant’s native range is Colombia and Peru.

More info:
Wikipedia

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