Attractive Foliage
Light Preference/Tolerated (Bright Indirect Light)
Average Watering Needs
Mature Height 12 Inches
Pet Safe

With its small oval leaves, striking white veins, and compact growth habit, the White Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis) is an excellent houseplant for small, bright spaces and terrariums alike. These petite and dramatic but resilient plants are best known for their reaction to drought, collapsing completely but bouncing back just as fast when thoroughly watered. To keep this plant happy, give it plenty of bright indirect light, water regularly, provide some humidity, and prune routinely. This easy-to-care-for plant is excellent for beginners, especially since it does not hide how it is feeling.

Best Locations For Growing White Nerve Plant

The White Nerve Plant does best when provided with bright indirect light and humidity. For this reason, bright kitchen windowsills and bathrooms are popular places to place these plants. Keep this plant alone in a small planter or hanging basket, or add it into a terrarium for a pop of color to carpet the bottom. Fittonia are nontoxic, making them great options for homes with pets and children.

White Nerve Plant Sunlight Requirements

The White Nerve Plant will keep its shape and color best in bright indirect light, though it can tolerate light that is a bit dimmer. Place this plant in a north- or east-facing window, or slightly to the side of a south- or west-facing window. Fittonia leaves burn easily in direct sunlight, especially in the afternoon and in the summer. Without bright light, Fittonia tends to become leggy.

White Nerve Plant Care

The White Nerve Plant grows best when provided with consistent moisture and higher humidity. When underwatered or in low humidity, the leaf edges and tips can turn brown and crispy. Fittonia will wilt dramatically when even slightly dry, so it is important to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. After a couple years in the same pot, repot the White Nerve Plant in a pot with drainage holes that is slightly larger, using a potting soil that is well-draining but retains moisture.

Watering White Nerve Plant

Allow the very top of the soil to dry slightly before watering deeply, until water flows out the bottom of the pot. Maintain consistently damp soil for best results, which can mean watering this plant a few times a week, depending on light, temperature, and humidity. In the winter, watering can be cut back slightly.

Feeding White Nerve Plant

The White Nerve Plant will grow best when provided with monthly fertilizer in the spring and summer. Add a liquid houseplant fertilizer into your watering routine once a month, following dilution instructions to avoid damaging the plant’s roots. You do not need to fertilize in the winter when plants are growing less.

White Nerve Plant Information

Light Exposure: Bright Indirect Light

Care Requirements: Easy

Watering Requirements: Average - When the top 2 inches of the soil dries out.

Pet Friendly: Yes

Kid Friendly: Yes

Air Purifier: High

Habit: Spreading

Growth Rate: Slow

Mature Height: 12 inches

Mature Spread: 6-18 inches

Flowering: Yes

Flower Color(s): White

Flower Shade/Description: White to Off-White

Fragrant: No

Foliage Type: Variegated

Foliage Color(s): Green, Pink, Red, Silver, White

Foliage Description: Variegated, Deepgreen, Silvery-White, Red, Pink, White

Temperature: 60° - 70°F (16° - 21°C)

Humidity: Average (40% - 60%)

Common Name: White Nerve Plant

Other Name(s): Nerve Plant

Scientific Name: Fittonia albivenis 'White'

Plant Type: House Plant

SKU:: Fittonia_White-HP

Container Sizes

Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

For more detailed information, please click here.

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping

Standard Colors: 2-3 business days

Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice

Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations

Plant Shipping

Time of Order:

Summer Shipping

If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.

We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location

Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.

It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.

White Nerve Plant