Fittonia White Anne

If you are on the hunt for a houseplant with exotic, showy leaves that doesn’t require constant care, the White Anne Fittonia, also known as the Mosaic or Nerve plant, may be just the showstopper you’re looking for.

Forgive and forget is the motto of this tropical plant as it can easily look faint if allowed to dry out, but it also forgives so easily when provided with a drink of water.  If only all exotic plants were so tolerant of the occasional short term neglect!

For years, many have loved the Fittonia plant, but the large leafed varieties have been known to be somewhat difficult to grow and a bit too needy for normal household growing.  Enter stage left the smaller leafed varieties of the Fittonia, including the popular White Anne variant.

Tips for Care

As the Fittonia species is native to the rainforests of Peru, it’s used to high humidity, warm temperatures and medium lighting conditions. 

Without water for a few days, this plant is known to “faint” but is easily revived with a quick watering and will make a miraculous recovery.  

Keep the soil moist at all times but don’t allow the Fittonia to become waterlogged.  Misting between waterings helps keep the Fittonia perky and happy and gives it the humidity it craves.  If the leaves of the plant begin to look curled up, it means it’s thirsty.  If you’re watering it regularly, it may need a more humid setting.

Areas of the home with high humidity, such as the kitchen or bath, are perfect for this moisture loving plant.  For lower humidity rooms, keeping the plant on a damp tray of pebbles helps create the necessary humidity.  In fact, Fittonia White Anne makes a wonderful terrarium plant.

While this plant has a nice shape to it, pinching the ends off of growing stems helps it to keep an attractive bushy shape and become denser.  Feeding once or twice a month with a general household plant food helps keep the Fittonia healthy and happy as well.

The Fittonia is best grown with medium light, as direct, strong lighting can scorch its delicate leaves.  If the proper natural lighting conditions aren’t available, try placing on a table near a lamp and be consistent with its light.  

A wide variety of stunning exotic angel plants for he home can be found here