Nerve plant care guide

The nerve plant has small leaves covered in a net of bright white, pink, or red veins. It is famous for fainting: it collapses flat when thirsty, then stands right back up after a drink. It loves humid air and is one of the best plants for a terrarium.

Light

Give it medium light or bright, indirect light, such as a spot near a north or east window. Direct sun scorches the leaves.

In low light, the stems stretch and the veins fade.

Water

Keep the soil a little moist. Water when the top 1 cm (½ in) is dry. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer.

When a nerve plant faints, water it right away. Most of the time it perks up within an hour. Try not to let it faint often, though, because each time costs it some leaves. Soggy soil rots it too. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use a rich, peat or coir-based potting mix. It has shallow roots, so a wide, shallow pot works well.

Repot in spring when roots fill the pot. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

Nerve plants want humid air. Dry winter air crisps the leaves. A bright bathroom, a humidifier, or a terrarium makes the biggest difference. In a closed terrarium, it can go weeks without water.

Keep it between 18 and 27°C (65 and 80°F). Cold drafts below 15°C (60°F) damage the leaves.

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at quarter strength.

Pruning

Pinch the stem tips to keep it bushy. Pinch off the small flower spikes too, so the plant keeps its energy for leaves.

Propagation

1. Cut a stem tip 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) long.
2. Pull off the lowest leaves.
3. Set it in water or damp mix in a humid spot.
4. Roots grow in two to three weeks.

Stems that touch the soil often root on their own. Cut them free and pot them up.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
Whole plant collapses	Thirsty. Water it now.
Crispy, brown leaves	Dry air, or dry soil too often
Yellow, mushy stems	Too much water
Long, bare stems	Not enough light, or not pinched
Veins fading	Not enough light
Pale, scorched leaves	Direct sun

Pests

Aphids, mealybugs, and fungus gnats can show up. Read how to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplants.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists nerve plant as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Varieties

• White-veined nerve plant has green leaves with silver-white veins.
• Pink-veined and red-veined types are common too.
• ‘Network News’ types come in many bright vein colors.
• Mini nerve plants have tiny leaves and fit in small terrariums.