Houseplant To Collect: Fittonia

Of all the houseplants on my windowsill, I H2O my 2 Fittonia the nigh often. This is non surprising given that Fittonia spp. is native to the rainforests of South America where they flourish inward the hot, humid environs of the jungle's understory. The foliage, which is veined inward pinkish-red, white or green, plough over the found its mutual names Nerve found or Mosaic plant.

Fittonia does bloom, simply the flowers are real unremarkable. The argue yous desire to grow this houseplant is its unique foliage.

How to Grow Fittonia

Light 
Fittonia grows happily inward the filtered lite of the rainforest. An east or northward facing window that provides bright, indirect light is thence perfect for this plant.
Too much Sun tin truly scorch the foliage. Even though my windowsill faces east, the summertime Sun tin endure a fleck besides intense for my Fittonia. When that happens, I shift their place away from the window ledge or into the shade of other large houseplants.

Water 
Keeping the reason consistently moist, is the biggest challenge this found presents. I find I guide hold to H2O my plants every 3 to iv days. H5N1 piffling besides dry out together with they droop. Really dry out together with a Fittonia volition collapse altogether. Though they ever await a piffling similar they are on death's door at that point, I uncovering they ever recover when I H2O them. Although Fittonia volition recover from the occasional fainting spell, allowing them to wilt repeatedly volition eventually guide hold a cost on the plant's overall health.
As good every bit a regular render of water, Fittonia similar humidity. That is why you'll oftentimes encounter dwarf varieties used inward the moist environment of a shut terrarium. In my ain experience, I uncovering that keeping the reason consistently moist seems to suffice, simply if the air inward your abode is truly dry, yous tin mist the leafage of your Fittonia amongst tepid water.

Soil
H5N1 peat-based potting mix (like the ones typically used for African Violets) volition help proceed the reason of your Fittonia moist, simply non soggy.

Heat 
H5N1 tropical found similar this 1 is never happy sitting on a mutual frigidness windowsill. Try to proceed the room temperature at to the lowest degree 65-70 degrees F. (18-21 degrees C.)

Fertilizer 
During the trammel together with summertime feed your found every other calendar week amongst a liquid fertilizer formulated for tropical plants (following the packet directions).

The leaves guide hold a smoothen finish, simply the stems are covered inward fine hairs.

Ongoing Care 
Fittonia tin overstep away leggy over time. Pinching dorsum their increase volition encourage a bushier plant. Flowers waste materials the plant's resources, so it's also a expert thought to pinch off whatever bloom spikes that volition weaken the all-important exhibit of leaves.

Propagation 
Spring is a neat fourth dimension to propagate cuttings. To brand novel plants, guide hold a 2-inch stalk cutting together with root it inward some moist potting mix. You'll know that roots guide hold sprouted when yous encounter signs of increase (typically inward 2-3 weeks).

Pests & Problems
The leafage volition warn yous if the found is unhappy amongst whatever of its growing conditions. Leaf drib is a sign that the temperature is besides mutual frigidness for its liking. Yellow leaves commonly holler for overwatering. Dry, chocolate-brown leaves are a sign there is non plenty lite together with humidity.
Mealybugs, fungus gnats together with aphids tin all endure potential problems. If yous uncovering an number amongst whatever of these pests, isolate the affected plant/s together with process the problem.

If yous instruct the watering right, I intend you'll uncovering that Fittonia is pretty slow to grow. This found is certain to brand an attractive improver to your houseplant collection.

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