Fittonia (Nerve plant) Rescue, Care Tips, and Propagation - WITH SATISFYING UPDATES

In this episode, I share the full care tips of the fittonia or nerve pant which is not the easiest houseplant for beginners and highly misunderstood. I show how I propagate and rescue my fittonia to restore its former glory, showing you months of updates at the end of the episode. I was also very detailed with the propagation and rescue process so you don’t leave this video with any doubt!
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Jazz background music made by Rhythm Alley
/ rhythmalley.taiwan
Background music are created by me exclusively for this channel

[@sophibeans]

My fittonias live in my shower (it has a North East facing window) and have grown so much in a year! Such pretty little plants

[@onlyplants]

North east sounds like a good direction for them. Also that humidity 🥰🥰

[@CorpseBride64]

I love rescue video's. Whether they are plants we already own or we save from big box stores. I find it so inspiring that with just a bit of TLC plants will bounce back. I hope you do more of these video's. Much love!

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu ❤️

[@brocktoon8]

It's so nice to have a home episode for a change. I enjoy your travel vids but this feels very grounding. I love the "classic Sean" ones vids best : )

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu. I will try to squeeze in some home episodes ❤️

[@elainectlow]

Thanks for sharing your Fittonia plants. Yes, I agreed to you that, please don't water it when drooping leaves are seen. It has very beautiful veins of leaves. By keeping the soil moist at all, you'll see them happy without stress😂 as I love to keep them in varieties of colours in my garden. They're cute!

[@onlyplants]

Thanks for the share!

[@sylviedelyon4594]

This common species is so much nicer than the other ones, but it really needs a terrarium because its leaves are thin and soft. One of my favourite plants, so very pretty 😍

[@BayuSeta]

love the plant cares / propagation videos! More, please!

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu. Im thinking of turning them into youtube shorts

[@zalehaburude7752]

What a beautiful Fittonia... 😍 😍 😍 Say HELLO to all your beautiful Plants...Sean! Have a good day.

[@onlyplants]

Thanks dear. Hello back at you 😛

[@strawb_elly9993]

Hello, I just got a pink Fittonia plant today, and I am now learning to care for it☺️ it's my first plant ever. I love it so much, it matches the rest of my pink room. Thank you for explaining everything so well! I will probably start bingewatching your videos...

[@onlyplants]

Whoaaa you started off with a very difficult plant. I hope it does well in your care. There are some varieties of episcias that are pink, they can take a wide variety of care and conditions. Give it a try if you havent. 😀

[@strawb_elly9993]

@@onlyplants oh my gosh really!! I'll take a look at those plants if they are available here. I actually just saw those fittonia plants at the hardware store, impulsive purchase 😂 had no idea they were high maintenance.

[@evyberm801]

This beautiful plant was actually my first plant too and it did well but man oh man did I learn so much from how dramatic it can be! 😅

[@domonicka.holloway6041]

Thank you for this information! I just got a Fittonia, and it's the neediest plant I've ever had

[@onlyplants]

Haha yes I might have killed mine thats in the video. Too much travelling

[@TheyCallMeLadyLame]

Same! I bought 5, only 1 has survived and it’s the most plain of them 😂

[@domonicka.holloway6041]

@@TheyCallMeLadyLameI’ve had to put my in terrariums! Couldn’t keep it nice and healthy otherwise

[@amypolzella8349]

I keep mine in my entryway/foyer and it does very well. I do have to make sure I keep it watered correctly or she gets very dramatic and looks dead lol. This happened 2 times. The first time I was shocked and thought it died, gave it some water to see what would happen and a few hours later it was good as new.

[@brocktoon8]

Loving the classic Sean music in this vid - thank you! ^^

[@onlyplants]

Haha yes it does bring back memories

[@governmentrape]

Such a gorgeous plant. Thanks for all of the helpful info! I’m excited for my Fittonia to come in 😊

[@onlyplants]

Good luck 😀

[@gingercaudill4513]

Great timing for me to see this video for fitonia! I had just bought my first one about two weeks ago and it is doing well so far, I think I will fertilize it now that I have seen this care info!❤ thanks for all that you do Sean

[@onlyplants]

If its got some healthy parts for cutting I would take some as insurance, they can decline quite suddenly and quickly

[@carolstuff]

Lovely plant. Thanks for sharing Sean!

[@onlyplants]

Yaye

[@sebnemb935]

my fittonia started to look very sad I think it is the light. Thank you Shaun for the video ! Perfectly in time :)

[@onlyplants]

It could be a lot of reasons 😅 but its a good idea to propagate if you have viable cuttings so they can adapt to your new envionment

[@sebnemb935]

@@onlyplants great advice than you 😄

[@colinbriskey3352]

Super useful, thank you! Gonna try this with mine this weekend.

[@onlyplants]

Good luck 😀😀

[@katerinaivanov]

Thank you! Very easy-to-follow tutorial 👏👏👏

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@paulettejohnson5065]

Thanks Sean very nice really enjoyed it variety of plants never seen before awesome.

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@indiraaiolfi8307]

Just subscribed .... loved this video and your explanation. Thank you ❤

[@onlyplants]

Thank you 🙌🏽 welcome to the channel

[@Spacepuft]

I love your videos!!❤️

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️❤️

[@arield5317]

this was so helpful!! thank you 💖

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@92alvs]

beautifull plants...

[@onlyplants]

Thank you 😀

[@amypolzella8349]

I have one of these in my foyer and I love it so much. I am going to propagate it so I can have maybe 2 to hang from planters in other rooms. I am new to inside plants and have collected about 13 in the past 3 months. It is very scary but all doing very well so far, surprisingly lol.

[@onlyplants]

3 months is a bit too early to find problems haha. But the problems and challenges make the hobby much more interesting! I hope your journey is one full of discovery ❤️

[@maarte_kyel]

thanks for tips interesting and inspiring plants

[@onlyplants]

🥰🥰

[@alinared5429]

Omg that cute tiny bottle on 3:16❤ Love fittonias ~ these leaves so spectacular but so sensitive tho

[@onlyplants]

Yeah they are quite sensitive to change, and the care is quite specific. 😀

[@alingfepay9470]

Fittonias are beautiful hard plant,,i love fittonia

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@gabrielareyesaviles1362]

Great video!

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️

[@misst5848]

Great video, mine is flourishing under cover in a small homemade cloche indoors, i live in the UK 🙂

[@onlyplants]

Oh yesss. One thing I forgot to mention is that they hate the tropical heat. Slightly Cooler climates serve them better

[@user-co3uc1qm5o]

You know I love you, when I still watch you with a plant I absolutely hate. More aglaonemas ❤ & pink

[@onlyplants]

Haha thank you ❤️

[@TheChrismichealblued]

i have one pot of this fittonia. i should give a try propagating it. love this plant but a hard plant for me. never thought how easy to propagate this simple plant.

[@onlyplants]

Its easier to propagate and let the new plant adapt to your space

[@pilitathomason3587]

I love fittonias ❤

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@GreenWitch1]

Mine actually fainted today 😂 It’s fine one minute & the next, it’s laying down. I had it perked up immediately. Ive only had it for 2 weeks, so it’ll take a little time to learn its needs. It is growing like a weed though!

[@onlyplants]

Haha yes they actually are thirsty beings.

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thanks Sean. 🌷💚🙃

[@onlyplants]

Thanks Judy 😀

[@evyberm801]

Hehehehe I love the cute little bottle 🥺

[@onlyplants]

🥹🥹😀

[@arthuslim]

Good old Sean's prop. video. On one of my nemesis plants (countless failed attempts).

[@onlyplants]

Haha yes it took killing a lot of these to master it

[@pinstripesuitandheels]

I don't know what I'm doing, but apparently I like difficult plants and am able to keep them happy without much effort: Fitonia, Hypoestes, Alocasia... all doing well for me. As well as Chlorophytum and Caladium. It might have something to do with the fact I have a small collection and oodles of time. Nice video, Fitonias aren't a many you see many videos on.

[@onlyplants]

Whoaaa you have nailed down the environment and care for them. Also maybe your heart is in it ❤️

[@cascadianroots]

Thank you for this! I just got a fittonia a few months back and it's leaves are pretty stiff but curly?! I think it needs more water... Chronic underwaterer here🤦

[@onlyplants]

They are actually very thirsty plants, and drink more water than most plants. But they cannot sit in wet soil for too long

[@Sammy-dz2hk]

Apparently the name comes from the plants anti-inflammatory properties, nerve plant, as it calmes your nerves when brewed into a tea

[@onlyplants]

Interestinggg

[@exoticwater]

Hello! Thank you for this very informative video on one of my favourite plants! 🪴 Just a question- do you recommend placing a clear dome or plastic zip lock bag over the top of the pot when propagating? I thought it might help to increase humidity. I could be wrong? Thank you! Just subscribed ❤

[@onlyplants]

Yess it helps a lot! I have one grown in a covered situation and it loved it

[@mrunalilondhe4447]

My fittonia has completely dried leaves it’s fall rn, how do I re-life them????

[@StanWatt.]

I hate one of my Fittonias; it dies back then regrows, the dies back, then grows, then...

[@onlyplants]

Haha yes. I forgot to mention that this plant needs constant propagation as they can outgrow the pot fast

[@azizahselamat8030]

I've tried loads of times ..but failed!!! 🥺, Your video 💕

[@onlyplants]

Haha I failed many times before

[@juniperlee1121]

What is the correct potting mix for these plants and how often should they be watered.

[@onlyplants]

It kinda depends on your environment… and whats available in your region. Porous/airy mix that dries fast is recommended to be safe, they can easily rot if kept wet

[@tee7230]

I have a pink nerve plant and the leaves are always curled, whether it is freshly watered or not. I have in well draining potting mix. Is this normal?

[@onlyplants]

Some varieties of fittonia are frilly and not flat. Make sure to rule that out as a possibility. Otherwise its leaves should be flat 😀

[@BatPug41]

I have a pink veined fittonia and the leaves feel crunchy on the edges almost, what do I do to try and fix this?

[@onlyplants]

Try increasing humidity, you can tent them with something like an inverted clear jar. Also you might want to check the roots, it may not be able take in moisture meaningfully as it might have dried up or rotten off.

[@zizarazzaq9888]

👍🏻

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@sylvanaleijten844]

So my fittonia (a pink one) had a long vine (like two of them) but started hanging. I’m not sure why 😢. I don’t want her to die, this may sound stupid but I actually cried when the thought popped up. Do I need to do the same strategy? The leaves are curled up, but not crispy.

[@onlyplants]

Oh you can try to propagate it. All plants get long and leggy at some point. You can consider covering the entire propagation in a plastic cup or glass jar to retain a lot of humidity inside. Plants will forgive us if we cannot keep them alive. Also Fittonias are some of the harder plants to maintain.

[@sylvanaleijten844]

@@onlyplants thanks so much for your reply! Sadly enough my fittonia didn’t make it. It may sound crazy but I apologized and gave her a hug. Idk how to propagate plants properly, but am researching it now. I got my fittonia for my birthday so that’s why I was extra sad about it. She lasted about 3 months, so I’m quite content with that already, as I am just becoming a plant mom.

[@eehhh3791]

Hey Sean Im sorry I dont think I can message you in person so I randomly chose this video! Are you able to create a video for us about biochar, You use it in one of your aroid mixes and forest floor mixes. Honestly I want to learn more about it. Do I have to wait 1 month to ''charge it'' or weather it. Never heard of those terms. I was hoping I can just buy Biochar and put it inside my indoor pot plants straight away instead of leaving it outside that sounds dangerous as it could bring bad bugs, like Mealy bugs and Aphids I hate experiencing these bugs, their hardwork! I really want to use Biochar for fungus, bacteria protection and for nutrient retention that is what you explained in your video. Kind Regards I will pay you to get this video out hahaha :)

[@onlyplants]

Hello, you can DM me on my instagram for better reply as youtube does not notify me when you reply to my comments. @bo.tan.ist To answer your question, I use burnt rice hull, its very different from the biochar. I have no experience with biochar but I have a feeling buying it ready made is a better option unless you are producing a large batch for retail or distribution.

[@fainakub6092]

👍

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@humannamedeverlyn]

Please help. I put my cutting in water and it’s really droopy now. What do I do?

[@onlyplants]

The first 1-3 days it should droop. Its a thirsty cutting and will drink lots of water so be sure to top it up. Give it medium light so it slows down photosynthesis during this crucial period.

[@davidhalley9795]

Where did you get the clear bottle?

[@onlyplants]

Wooh… I dont remember. I collect so many strange bottles and pots in my travels 😅 sometimes they are peoples trash too

[@kennyfarmi9878]

Please, while it was in the water, my leaf got so many white dots. How can i solve that? Some leaf has been rotten a little bit

[@onlyplants]

The white dots may be mealy bugs? Or perhaps it is Southern Blight, a deadly fungus that rots plants very quickly.

[@kennyfarmi9878]

@@onlyplants how could i cure my fittonia? I am spray some mold cure for plants rn but didnt seem effective, i searched on gg, it said i use 1 cup of mouthwash with 3 cup of water will cure it

[@excusem33]

I waiting from you tillandsia air plants videos. Maybe. If you can and want. Please ❤️🌱☘️

[@onlyplants]

Ooh I have some already in the past. Do type in “onlyplants tillandsia” in the youtube search bar.

[@user-ug6tg9iq7h]

I bought few colors like pink, red, yellow, white, green but all didn't survive. I gave up long long ago.

[@onlyplants]

Oh nooo… I actually killed these babies a few months later, inconsistent watering as I have been travelling a lot. We have to accept that they are not easy plants 😀 and either try again or move on. (I dont think I will get them again soon)

[@gmatt2498]

Is that plant a succulent I didn't know you can just stick them back in the dirt ?

[@JL_Loki]

They looks like the herb types so you can cultivate the same way, I guess.

[@onlyplants]

Its not a succulent 😀

[@maxencefavel50]

I hate my fittonia. She's giving me a hard time. If I put away her cover, her leaves started to droop. How can she live without it just like you've shown in the video?

[@onlyplants]

They can adapt to environments 😀

[@meropale]

My fittonias are very thirsty and they do tell you when they need water.

[@onlyplants]

They kinda give me anxiety

[@M1zzz-hz6zr]

My pink fittonia stoped growing. Whyyyyy

[@onlyplants]

Wahhh something might be wrong with the roots, dried or rotted off. Also possible its not getting enough light, or maybe its battling pests.

[@melchiorlise2466]

I was thinking of maybe getting a fittonia, but you guys in ghe comment section are not exactly inspiring 😅

[@onlyplants]

Haha its a nightmare of a plant actually… Ive not seen heirloom fittonia (ones that pass down from person to person). They are usually temporary plants.

[@romyromanza]

Beautiful tiny little plant, but very difficult for me 😅

[@onlyplants]

Yeahh they actually hate the heat of Jakarta. Prefering cooler temperatures

[@chandru5528]

Hii

[@onlyplants]

Hiii 🙏🏽

[@Wolverinedura]

I think you need to buy new cutters haha.

[@onlyplants]

Ahha

[@benlcr7784]

No matter what I always murder fittonia.. I just don't understand this plant toh it's damn gorgeous but I ain't buying that ... Anymore 😂

[@onlyplants]

Haha they will teach us a lot… about failure and forgiveness 🤣

[@juniperlee1121]

I keep killing them

[@onlyplants]

🥲🥲 they are often misunderstood

[@SydneyBristow0788]

There are some good propagation stations on ETSY. Just wanted to share if that helps you. 🪴 ❤️

[@onlyplants]

Yayee