The nerve plant plant, or Fittonia, is a perennial evergreen that has dark green leaves with white, green, pink or red veins, depending on the variety. It is a trailing plant and is often grown in a terrarium.
Fittonia is native to South America and does not do well in cold temperatures; if you live in a cold climate, your best option is to keep it as an indoor plant. It is also not the easiest to care for, so it might not be the best starter plant for beginner gardeners.
One of the most common problems encountered by nerve plant owners is when their plant starts drooping. This usually indicates a change in the plant’s living conditions that is causing it stress.
The possible causes of a drooping nerve plant plant include too much sunlight, incorrect soil, not enough water, too much water, low humidity, incorrect fertilization, and pests.
In this article, we will discuss each of these causes and what you can do to fix them.
Why is my nerve plant drooping?
Too much sunlight
Nerve plants are notoriously finicky when it comes to their light requirements. Your plant may be suffering from scorching if it has been exposed to too much sunlight, in which case its leaves may also be shriveled and dry. Direct sunlight will also cause the soil to dry out faster, necessitating more frequent watering.
This is a tropical plant that grows in the shade of tree canopies, meaning that it receives a lot of bright, indirect light. When you grow it at home, it is best to try to simulate this kind of light to keep your plant happy and healthy.
Nerve plants do well in north- or east-facing windows, because these typically provide the kind of indirect light that helps them thrive. If the only windows in your home are letting in harsh light, you can still place the plant there, but hang a sheer curtain over the window first to diffuse the intensity of the light.
Also do not make the mistake of keeping the plant in a poorly-lit area. If you have a colored variety and you keep it in the dark for an extended period of time, you may notice that the color fades. Too much shade can turn the colored areas white, and if it is a variety with green leaves and white veins, too much shade may cause the leaves to turn almost completely green.
If you live in a place where natural light is scarce for a few months of the year, you can use LED grow lights to supplement your plant’s light.
Incorrect soil
Nerve plants need soil that retains a lot of moisture, but that also drains excess water well. Soil composed primarily of organic matter is likely to retain a little too much water, and could thus become waterlogged. This can cause the plant to droop, and can also lead to a variety of diseases including root rot. To avoid this, ensure that you use a sufficiently well-draining soil mix.
An ideal soil mix for nerve plants is a one-to-one mix of peat, coarse sand or perlite, and organic matter. Peat retains moisture while remaining light and well aerated; coarse sand or perlite aids drainage and aeration; and compost provides nutrition while also helping to retain some moisture. Nonetheless, almost any houseplant potting mix will suffice for this plant. Commercial mixes are typically formulated to have good moisture retention while also providing adequate drainage and aeration.
Also make sure that your plant’s container has enough drainage holes to prevent any possibility of water sitting stagnant in the soil.
Not enough water
The most common reason for a nerve plant to droop is underwatering. In severe cases, you will notice its leaves becoming crispy, too. This plant’s roots require constant moisture, so it is important to provide it with enough water to maintain its lush foliage.
Water the plant when the soil’s surface begins to dry out just a little bit. Soak the soil thoroughly until water runs freely from the bottom of the container, and make sure that all of the excess water has drained from the pot.
It is important to note that your plant’s water requirements will vary, depending on several factors such as the plant’s size, pot size, and underlying growing conditions.
During the summer, when the weather is warm and your plant is growing at a faster pace, you may need to check on it more frequently than in the winter, to ensure that it does not dry out completely.
Another good idea is to use tepid water for your plant, as this will avoid any shock to the roots. Some people report that watering their plants with extremely cold water has negative effects.
Too much water
While nerve plants do not tolerate dry soil, it is equally important to remember that too much water will also be detrimental. As much as their roots enjoy moisture, they will not tolerate being submerged in water for too long.
Overwatering will eventually cause the roots to rot, and the plant’s leaves will begin to turn yellow and droop as a result. Always remember that your nerve plant prefers slightly moist soil rather than soggy soil.
Root rot is a condition wherein the plant’s roots drown and die due to prolonged exposure to soggy soil. The dead roots may also attract bacteria and fungi in the soil, which will cause the rot to become more aggressive and spread faster to the rest of the plant.
The most effective way to keep root rot at bay is to water your plant only when the top layer of soil becomes dry. Many people give their plants far more water than they actually require, so remember that control is key.
After watering, make sure to allow any excess water to drain from the pot, and check to see that water does not accumulate at the bottom of the drip tray or in an outer decorative pot, as this can also waterlog the roots.
Another reason your plant can become overwatered is if you use a pot that is way too large for the plant’s current size. In this case, a larger volume of soil will remain wet for a longer time than necessary after you water your plant, thus increasing the risk of root rot.
If you suspect root rot in your nerve plant, you will have to unpot it and inspect the roots. If there are brown or black roots, they are rotten and should be pruned off. Use a sterile pair of scissors to remove all the rotten sections until only healthy, white roots remain.
Lay the plant on a flat surface to air-dry for several hours before repotting it in a pot that has adequate drainage holes, using fresh, well-draining potting mix.
Low humidity
If the leaves of your nerve plant are withering and drooping quickly, this could be a sign that the plant is not receiving enough humidity. Leaf curling and brown tips and edges are other signs of low humidity.
Nerve plants have high humidity requirements, and levels lower than 40 percent will frequently cause problems for them. Drooping is especially common during the winter months, when homes are heated by central heating that dries out the air.
To keep track of the humidity levels in your home, you can use a digital hygrometer. Place the hygrometer near the plant and it will record the current humidity level as well as the lowest and highest levels over a predetermined period. You can then decide what measures to take to raise the humidity around the plant, if necessary, and there are several ways to do this.
If you have other humidity-loving plants, group them together so that together they create a microclimate in the space around them.
You can also place the plant’s pot on top of a tray filled with pebbles and water. As the water evaporates from the tray, it will moisten the plant’s leaves as well as the soil in the pot.
A very quick and easy way to increase the humidity is with the help of a humidifier. These do require a small amount of maintenance, but they are extremely effective.
Finally, you can opt to grow your nerve plant in a terrarium, where the semi-enclosed space and the presence of other plants will increase the humidity inside it.
Incorrect fertilization
If you do not fertilize your nerve plant correctly, it will start to droop, lose its luster and appear sickly. Overfertilizing will cause the foliage to burn and may even prove fatal.
Nerve plants rarely have problems due to under-fertilization, because most potting mixes contain nutrients to begin with, and nerve plants do not have high nutrient requirements.
You can fertilize your nerve plant once a month during spring and summer, using a balanced houseplant fertilizer. To be on the safe side, dilute the solution to half the recommended strength.
Fertilizer can accumulate in the soil over time, and you may notice mineral salts appearing on the surface of the soil and your plant beginning to look sickly as a result of this buildup. Remove excess fertilizer by flushing the soil with plenty of water every few months. If you are in any doubt, you can repot your plant in fresh potting soil.
Avoid fertilizing your nerve plant during the autumn and winter months, as it grows much more slowly and requires fewer nutrients at this time of year.
Pests
Nerve plants, like the majority of indoor plants, are susceptible to common houseplant pests such as fungus gnats, aphids, scale insects, and mealybugs. A severe infestation can prove fatal.
Nerve plants are thought to be particularly susceptible to aphid infestations, so you should inspect your plant regularly for signs of pests. Check the tops and undersides of the leaves, as well as the soil, for any signs of disease.
If you notice pests on your plant, isolate it from the rest of your houseplants as soon as possible to prevent the bugs from spreading to other plants. For the same reason, if you purchase a new houseplant, keep it separate from your other plants for two weeks after bringing it home to ensure that no pests have made their way into your home.
Remove any badly damaged foliage from an infested plant by pruning it off with sterile scissors. You can then use rubbing alcohol or neem oil to kill the remaining pests on your plant. Place the alcohol or neem oil on a cotton pad and wipe down the affected areas. Repeat this every three days until you are sure that all of the pests are gone.
Nerve plant plant care
Light
The nerve plant naturally grows in the bright shade of tropical forests, so it prefers indoor conditions that are similar to this. The bright, indirect sunlight provided by north-facing windows is ideal, but it will also flourish under fluorescent lighting.
Soil
Nerve plants thrive in standard potting soil that has been amended with peat moss. The soil should be able to retain some moisture while also draining excess water efficiently.
Water
The nerve plant is quite sensitive to both underwatering and overwatering. Be vigilant about your watering habits and be sure to adjust them according to changes in the weather, season and climate.
The easiest way to determine whether your plant needs to be watered is to feel the top two inches of soil in the pot. If the soil is dry, water the plant, but if it is still a bit damp, wait one or two days before checking again.
Temperature and humidity
Nerve plants thrive in temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but can tolerate temperatures ranging from the low 60s to the low 80s. When it comes to humidity, they prefer moist conditions similar to those found in rainforests. Misting them on a regular basis will help to ensure that they do not dry out. It may also be beneficial to use a humidifier if you live in a dry climate, or during the dry winter months. Alternatively, a terrarium is a naturally moist environment that is ideal for this kind of plant.
Fertilizer
In the growing season, feed your plant once a month with a diluted liquid fertilizer formulated for exotic plants. A well-balanced 5-5-5 fertilizer diluted to half strength is ideal. Be careful not to give the plant too much fertilizer, because this can cause damage to the roots.
During the winter months, stop fertilizing the plant altogether.
Conclusion
The nerve plant is a trailing houseplant characterized by dark green leaves with white or colored veins. It is a perfect plant to keep indoors, either in a pot or a terrarium.
This is not the easiest plant to care for, because it can be quite sensitive to sudden changes in its living conditions. One of the most common problems encountered by nerve plant owners is when their plant starts to droop, and the most common causes of this are too much sunlight, incorrect soil, not enough water, too much water, low humidity, incorrect fertilization, and pests.
Hopefully, this article has helped you identify the cause of your nerve plant’s drooping so that you can remedy the problem and return your plant to full health.
Image: istockphoto.com / Airubon