Nerve Plant problems & how to fix them
Fittonia albivenis
Drooping, yellowing, brown tips, or a plant that just won’t thrive? Here are the most common Nerve Plant problems, what usually causes them, and how to turn things around.
Common problems
Underwatering
Its shallow roots dry fast; frequent fainting spells eventually kill it. The plant is not getting enough water, either from infrequent watering or soil so dry it repels water. Prognosis is excellent - most underwatered plants perk up within days of proper rehydration.
Root rot
Constant moisture must come with drainage — swampy soil rots the creeping stems. A fungal or bacterial infection of the roots, almost always triggered by soil staying wet too long. Caught early, most plants recover within a few weeks after repotting; if most roots are already mushy, recovery is uncertain.
Phytophthora root rot on a dug-up root ball
Photo: Jerzy Opioła · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Crispy tips (low humidity)
Dry household air browns the delicate leaf edges. Brown, dry leaf tips caused by air that is too dry for the plant, common in heated or air-conditioned rooms. Existing crispy tips never turn green again, but with higher humidity new growth should come in clean within a few weeks.
Fungus gnats
Permanently damp soil is ideal gnat habitat. Small dark flies that breed in constantly moist potting soil; the adults are harmless but annoying, while larvae can nibble roots of seedlings and weak plants. Very treatable by drying out the soil; expect the flies to fade over 2-3 weeks.
an adult fungus gnat resting on a leaf
Photo: James K. Lindsey · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The mistakes that most often kill it
- Repeated full dry-outs — the fainting trick only works so many times.
- Direct sun on the thin, veined leaves.
- Cold drafts combined with wet soil.
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