Fittonia albivenis
A compact tropical houseplant with vividly veined leaves in white, pink, or red that thrives in bright indirect light, high humidity, and consistently moist, well-draining soil, often used in terrariums or as indoor ground cover.
Common Names
Nerve Plant, Mosaic Plant
Summary
Fittonia albivenis is a creeping evergreen perennial native to the rainforests of South America, notably Peru and Colombia, forming a low ground cover about 3–6 inches tall with a spreading habit. Its small ovate leaves carry striking venation in white, pink, or red that creates a mosaic, nerve-like pattern on deep green foliage, and the plant is non-toxic to humans and pets.
It thrives in bright indirect light, high humidity, and warm temperatures around 60–80°F, with consistently moist but well-draining soil; water when the top inch dries and avoid direct sun. Regular misting or humidity trays help, and a peat-based or loamy mix supports steady moisture. Common uses include terrariums, dish gardens, hanging baskets, and indoor ground-cover; propagation is easy from stem cuttings, and pruning keeps growth compact. Watch for pests such as mealybugs, aphids, scale, and spider mites, and fertilize lightly during the growing season.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
3-8 inches
Spread
12 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 11–12
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally partial shade.
Soil Type
Moist, well-draining soil
Soil Drainage
Well-draining, moisture-retentive soil.
Soil pH
6.5-7.0, Slightly acidic to neutral
Bloom Color
Insignificant
Bloom Time
Summer
Foliage Color
Green leaves with veins in white, pink, red, or silver.
Fall Foliage Color
No fall foliage color
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen broadleaf
Growth Rate
Slow-growing, indoors.
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Cuttings, Layering, Division
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- (Lindl. ex Veitch) Brummitt
- Publication
- Bot. Mag. 182: 165 (1979)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Lamiales
- Family
- Acanthaceae
- Genus
- Fittonia
Synonyms
Adelaster albivenis Eranthemum rubrovenium Eranthemum verschaffeltii Fittonia argyroneura Fittonia verschaffeltii Gymnostachyum pearcei Gymnostachyum verschaffeltii Fittonia verschaffeltii f. argyroneura Adelaster albovenosus Fittonia metallica Fittonia pearcei Gymnostachyum argyroneurum Fittonia verschaffeltii var. argyroneura Eranthemum rubronervium