Home»House Plants»Fittonia
Fittonias are a small genus with only two recognised species , plus three other plants presently under review to see if they ’re varieties or separate species .
BothFittonia albivenisandFittonia giganteaare aboriginal to Peru and have spread into adjacent region .
These members of theAcanthaceaefamily were named after baby phytologist Elizabeth and Sarah Mary Fitton and are popular houseplants , both for their stylemark leaf and non - toxic nature . But are Fittonia flora good for cats ?
Of the two , Fittonia albivenisis the more democratic indoor industrial plant and has led to a wide of the mark range of cultivar , whileFittonia giganteahas a similar appearing but larger leaves .
The Fittonia soubriquet “ nerve flora ” is due to the prominent vein that load across the otherwise green leaves in pink , red , white , or yellow chromaticity .
Fittonia Plant Uses
Outdoors , Fittonia is used as a creeping ground cover , but they ’re far more popular indoors .
As tropic houseplants , Fittonia looks great just about anywhere with brilliant , collateral sunlight , including tabletops , bookshelf , windowsill , or hanging pots .
More On Fittonia Plants
Fittonia Varieties and Cultivars
Fittonia albivenis
The plant of many names , Fittonia albivenis can be discover online under many anonym , include :
This plant is one of the two actual specie of fittonia and is parent to most of the cultivar out there .
It produces small white to off - white flowers during the growing season and requires copious , loamy land and bright , collateral to filtered sunlight to thrive .
All Fittonia albivenis cultivar break down into two separate groups : theArgyroneura GroupandVerschaffeltii Group .
Argyroneura Group
One of the varieties of Fittonia albivenis is hoping to become a species . Members of theFittonia Argyroneura grouphave light to dark green leave with white , ash gray , or xanthous venous blood vessel .
This lightly variegated cultivar pairs bright green foliation with white venous blood vessel that will put the rivalry to shame .
tot up in the whitish blotch along the leafage margins , and you have a sure winner .
One of the most beautiful fittonia cultivars , ‘ Frankie , ’ has dark unripe foliation almost take over by pinkish mineral vein and variegation .
This smaller cultivar sports soft white veins on a dark leafy vegetable , leathery background .
However , its true call to renown is that this cultivar adjust to lower light-headed atmospheric condition than most other Fittonias .
One of the most striking phallus of the Argyroneura Group , ‘ Stripes Forever ’ sport bold white veins on a drear green background that almost look like grade insignia .
It ’s ordinarily used in connective with two or more other Fittonias to tie them all together .
This is a littler , more thickset cultivar with oval to lanceolate leave of absence .
The greenish - white veins attractively frame a background of medium to benighted green .
It ’s easy to mistake this cultivar for being nearly albino , as the creamy white of its veins are so bold that the dark unripe foliage is only truly manifest at the margins .
‘ White Brocade ’ is a good option for those who prefer a plant life with the ashen veins of ‘ Angel Snow ’ but the heavier veining of ‘ Juanita . ’
Verschaffeltii Group
In line to the Fittonia Argyroneura group , member of theFittonia Verschaffeltii Grouphave pink to red veins , often on a dark green backdrop .
The dark emerald green tones of this cultivar ’s arrowhead farewell alone can make it tolerate out .
But add in the heavy purplish - red veining , and you ’ve got a indisputable winner on your manpower .
This larger cultivar has round leave-taking with a uncomplicated vein convention .
As a result , the leave are mostly medium to dark green , with only the more striking veins showing off their garden pink to crimson hues .
sport bold red veins on larger leave , this cultivar sometimes appears more red than green as the leaves mature , resulting in lovely contrasts of color .
This miniature fittonia has small , obscure light-green leaves inset with vibrant pink veins , making it a real dainty for pocket-size spaces .
This small cultivar has medium green leaves covered in pink to red variegated veins .
It ’s popularly used in terrariums but is also a perfect compliment to ‘ White Anne . ’
One of the most spectacular Fittonias out there , ‘ Red Star , ’ has bass pinkish - crimson veins which form a stripe - like design across the dark immature leafage surfaces .
immature leafage incline to have so much cerise that the only green you see is in the margins until the leaf matures .
A more thickset cultivar with lancelike leaves , ‘ Ruby Red ’ earns its name by having equal amounts of deep red veins and a dark green backcloth .
