How to grow fittonia

What are fittonias?

Fittonias originate in the tropical forests of Peru, shaded from the sun but in high humidity

The concentration of water vapour in the atmosphere. This affects the rate at which plants transpire (lose water from their leaf pores), which in turn affects how much water their roots absorb from the soil. If air humidity is low, plants transpire quickly and become at risk of wilting if water is lost from the leaves faster than it can be absorbed by the roots. Different plants require different levels of humidity to thrive. Many tropical houseplants need high humidity and are best grown in a steamy bathroom, misted regularly or placed on a saucer of damp pebbles. In a greenhouse, humidity can be raised in hot weather by damping down (wetting) the floor or overhead misting.

. So they need similar conditions when grown as houseplants. They are naturally low-growing and spread slowly outwards rather than upwards, so are ideal if space is tight.

These distinctive plants are prized for their boldly patterned leaves, with veins in various contrasting colours, including white and pink.

Choosing fittonias

Their highly ornamental foliage and spreading habit means fittonias work well in terrariums, either combined with other plants in a large sealed terrarium

A miniature garden or ecosystem contained within a glass or plastic container. If sealed, self-sustaining terrariums need very little to no maintenance. Small and slow-growing foliage plants, miniature ferns and mosses are great for sealed terrariums, and succulents and cacti for open terrariums. The first example of a terrarium was a Wardian Case, which helped plant collectors bring back and introduce new, exotic plants in the 19th century.

or as a single specimen in a small one, or even just in a glass jar. Choose plants of the same or different colours, whichever you prefer.

Although fittonias are generally sold without cultivar

Gardeners often use the word variety when referring to a specific plant, but the correct botanical term is 'cultivar'. Whichever word you use, it means a distinctive plant or plants, given a specific cultivar name and usually bred to enhance certain characteristics, such as flower or fruit size, colour, flavour or fragrance, plant size, hardiness, disease resistance, etc. Additionally, it is worth knowing that, botanically, variety has another meaning - it refers to a naturally-occurring distinct plant that only has slight differences in its looks. For example, Malva alcea var. fastigiata differs from typical plants by having an upright habit.

names in mixed selections, you may see the following for sale:

• ‘Skeleton’ – lime-yellow leaves with red veining
• ‘White Anne’ – green leaves with bright white veining
• ‘Lemon’ – lime-green leaves with white veining
• ‘White Star’ – almost white leaves with thin green veins
• ‘Forest Flame’ – red leaves with a dark green margin
• ‘Pink Forest Flame’ – pink leaves with a dark green margin
• ‘Mistral’ – dark green leaf with narrow pink veins

Other compact plants that combine well with fittonias and like similar growing conditions include mind-your-own-business (Soleirolia soleirolii), clubmosses (Selaginella) and basket plants (Callisia repens).

Buying fittonias

Fittonias are often sold in multi-packs or as reasonably priced small potted plants in the houseplant area of garden centres and from online houseplant retailers. Choose strong healthy plants that show no signs of withering or leaf damage and have a well-developed root system. Also check for insect damage.

As these are tropical plants, take care to keep them warm when bringing them home.

Fittonias are small, slow-growing plants, so can be kept in their original container for several years. But they also work well planted alongside other similarly small tropical plants, ideally in a terrarium or bottle garden, where humidity

The concentration of water vapour in the atmosphere. This affects the rate at which plants transpire (lose water from their leaf pores), which in turn affects how much water their roots absorb from the soil. If air humidity is low, plants transpire quickly and become at risk of wilting if water is lost from the leaves faster than it can be absorbed by the roots. Different plants require different levels of humidity to thrive. Many tropical houseplants need high humidity and are best grown in a steamy bathroom, misted regularly or placed on a saucer of damp pebbles. In a greenhouse, humidity can be raised in hot weather by damping down (wetting) the floor or overhead misting.

is high.

For details of how to plant fittonias ino a terrarium

A miniature garden or ecosystem contained within a glass or plastic container. If sealed, self-sustaining terrariums need very little to no maintenance. Small and slow-growing foliage plants, miniature ferns and mosses are great for sealed terrariums, and succulents and cacti for open terrariums. The first example of a terrarium was a Wardian Case, which helped plant collectors bring back and introduce new, exotic plants in the 19th century.

, see our quick video guide:

If kept individually in their own pot, fittonias will benefit from repotting every few years, so they continue growing strongly. Choose a new pot that is only slightly larger than the rootball

The roots and accompanying soil when a plant is removed from a container or lifted from the ground.

, to avoid problems with overpotting. Use moisture-retentive, peat-free houseplant compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost:

• Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

or peat-free multi-purpose compost. Continue repotting every few years, once the roots fill the pot.

See our guides on repotting houseplants:

How to repot a plant

Peat-free compost choices

Location

Fittonias need a bright spot that’s away from direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves. Near a north- or east-facing window is ideal. Keep at 15°C (60°F) or higher, and out of cold draughts.

Temperature

Fittonias thrive in a warm room that stays above 17°C (63°F). Keep them out of cold draughts and away from drying heat sources such as radiators.

Watering

Keep the compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost:

• Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

moist by watering frequently. Fittonias in terrariums or sealed glass containers will need less frequent watering, since the humidity

The concentration of water vapour in the atmosphere. This affects the rate at which plants transpire (lose water from their leaf pores), which in turn affects how much water their roots absorb from the soil. If air humidity is low, plants transpire quickly and become at risk of wilting if water is lost from the leaves faster than it can be absorbed by the roots. Different plants require different levels of humidity to thrive. Many tropical houseplants need high humidity and are best grown in a steamy bathroom, misted regularly or placed on a saucer of damp pebbles. In a greenhouse, humidity can be raised in hot weather by damping down (wetting) the floor or overhead misting.

will prevent the compost drying out too quickly.

Lack of water will cause fittonias to droop or wilt. Although this can be worrying, they soon recover once watered thoroughly (provided you don’t leave it too long).

Water: using softened and other types

Houseplants: holiday care

Humidity

Fittonias need moist air, otherwise their leaves turn brown. An enclosed terrarium, or a steamy bathroom or kitchen, are usually good locations for them.

High humidity can also be created elsewhere by standing the pot on a wide tray filled with damp gravel or clay granules (Hydroleca) and keeping the water topped up.

Feeding

Fittonias aren’t particularly hungry plants. Feed them occasionally (once every two or three months) with a half-strength general-purpose or houseplant fertiliser when you water.

Fertilisers

Fittonias don’t need pruning, but remove dead leaves and stems as needed to keep plants looking tidy.

If a plant dies off in the centre, divide the clump and replant the healthy sections, discarding the dead parts.

By division

Divide large clumps by separating the rootball

The roots and accompanying soil when a plant is removed from a container or lifted from the ground.

into several sections with your hands, so each new plant has three or more stems. Replant these individually (see Planting, above).

By stem cuttings

In spring and summer, take stem-tip cuttings

A method of growing new plants from parts of an existing plant, such as sections of root, stem, leaf or bud. When prepared correctly and planted in the right conditions, they can produce roots and eventually become independent plants. There is a wide range of different methods for taking cuttings, depending on the plant and time of year.

. Remove several strong, healthy stems around 5cm (2in) long and cut them just below a pair of leaves at the base. Insert them vertically into a pot of moist peat-free compost and keep in a humid atmosphere (such as in a propagator

A propagator is a portable, lightweight structure usually plastic, with a vented or unvented lid to provide a humid, slightly warmer atmosphere. It is useful to help seeds germinate and root cuttings. It may have adjustable, thermostatic temperature control.

or sealed clear bag) until well-rooted. See our guide to taking softwood cuttings for full details.

Fittonias are generally trouble free, as long as they are kept in a humid atmosphere and watered regularly. They may occasionally be affected by:

• Sap
  

  Sap is a fluid that circulates through a plant's vascular system, in a similar way to blood moving through our veins. Phloem sap carries the sugars produced in the leaves by photosynthesis down to roots and other storage organs, as well as carrying minerals and hormones. Xylem sap is watery and transports nutrients absorbed by the roots upwards to the rest of the plant. Some plants leak sap from wounds or pruning cuts, and this is known as bleeding.

  -sucking insects – including red spider mites and mealybugs
• Leaf scorch – position away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Low humidity
  

  The concentration of water vapour in the atmosphere. This affects the rate at which plants transpire (lose water from their leaf pores), which in turn affects how much water their roots absorb from the soil. If air humidity is low, plants transpire quickly and become at risk of wilting if water is lost from the leaves faster than it can be absorbed by the roots. Different plants require different levels of humidity to thrive. Many tropical houseplants need high humidity and are best grown in a steamy bathroom, misted regularly or placed on a saucer of damp pebbles. In a greenhouse, humidity can be raised in hot weather by damping down (wetting) the floor or overhead misting.

  can also cause leaf browning
• Leaf yellowing – usually indicates a lack of light. Move the plant to a brighter spot
• Grey mould (Botrytis) can thrive in humid environments. Remove any affected plant material

Also see the following guides:

How to help a poorly houseplant

Leaf damage on houseplants