Advice and care of fittonia in the garden and pots

THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE LEAVES OF A PLANT SURPASS THE FLOWER IN BEAUTY

In indoor plants, we tend to look for a great and colorful bloom. Other times, foliage, size, slenderness are sought … The Fittonia is a genus of indoor plants in which we will appreciate the leaf more than the flower. In fact, it is an advantage, because the blade is always present. So let’s see what we can get out of this plant.

LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FITTONIA

It belongs to the Acanthaceae family and is considered a slow-growing creeping or climbing plant . It has an expansive tendency so it is easy with good care to cover the pot where it grows.

As we have mentioned in the entry, the main characteristic of fittonia are its leaves, especially their veins, which have a color very contrasted with the general green of the leaf. This achieves a very attractive ‘net’ effect on the leaves.

Today, it is even possible to choose blade and rib combinations of different colors, as if it were a car catalog.

Green leaf with white nerve (the best known), green leaf with pinkish nerve in different proportions of red / green, there may be varieties in which the pinkish color prevails over the green.

Although it is true that the one with pinkish rib is tremendously striking, the one with white rib is sober, simple and very elegant, being able to fit better in the interior decoration. To taste the colors and never better said.

INDOOR FITTONIA CARE

TEMPERATURES AND RADIATION

Normal growing temperatures are around 19 ºC, perhaps a slightly cooler place in the house is convenient, although with small temperature variations of 1 or 2 degrees there will be no problem in its development.

As for the necessary light, it is convenient that it be natural and indirect or filtered, but there must be the presence of light.

The northern areas of the house, although cooler, tend to have fewer hours of light and that can lead to poor growth.

SUBSTRATE AND IRRIGATION

The type of substrate is the standard topsoil with some peat or mulch, with moisture retention and good drainage . What you may need is humidity, so the usual dryness of a house will not be the perfect combination.

The well-known tray with wet stone or pebble will increase the humidity that surrounds the plant.

Irrigation will have to be controlled by increasing the frequencies in summer up to 2 times a week depending on its hardness. If the basal leaves turn yellow, it may be due to overwatering . The substrate will have to dry and set a lower frequency. Keep an eye on the drainage for a waterlogging problem.

VARIEDADES DE FITTONIA

There are two mainly with cultivars of different characteristics of leaf and rib color.

  • Fittonia gigantea
  • Fittonia verschaffeltti

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *