Fittonia Ruby Lime Live Plant – Nerve Plant 2in Pot – Indoor Houseplant

Overview

Introduce a splash of vibrant color and intricate patterns to your indoor plant collection with the Fittonia Ruby Lime live plant. Also known as the Nerve Plant or Mosaic Plant, this stunning foliage plant is celebrated for its striking, deeply veined leaves. The ‘Ruby Lime’ variety boasts brilliant green leaves intricately patterned with bold, ruby-red veins, creating a mesmerizing display. Originating from the tropical rainforests of South America, especially Peru, the Fittonia is a low-growing creeper that thrives in warm, humid environments. It’s an excellent choice for terrariums, fairy gardens, or as a charming desktop companion. This Fittonia nerve plant is delivered as a healthy, established plant in a 2-inch pot, ready to bring its unique beauty to your home or office.

The Fittonia (Fittonia verschaffeltii) is revered not for its flowers, which are often insignificant, but for its incredibly decorative foliage. Its compact size and preference for consistent moisture make it a popular choice for enclosed environments where humidity can be easily maintained. Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or a beginner looking for an eye-catching yet manageable plant, the Fittonia Ruby Lime live plant offers both aesthetic appeal and a rewarding growing experience.

Key Benefits

The Fittonia Ruby Lime live plant offers numerous benefits, making it an excellent addition to any indoor space. Its unique appearance and relatively straightforward care requirements contribute to its popularity:

• Stunning Ornamental Appeal: The vibrant ruby-red veins contrasting against the lush green leaves make this plant a true showstopper. It adds an instant pop of color and texture to any room, easily becoming a focal point. The intricate patterns of the Fittonia nerve plant are truly captivating.
• Compact Size: Its small, trailing growth habit makes it perfect for small spaces, desks, shelves, or as a groundcover in larger pots. It’s an ideal small indoor plant for apartments or offices where space is limited.
• Terrarium Favorite: Fittonias thrive in high humidity, making them perfectly suited for terrariums, cloches, and enclosed plant displays where they can create a miniature tropical ecosystem.
• Air Purifying Qualities: Like many houseplants, Fittonia contributes to a healthier indoor environment by helping to filter common airborne toxins and improving air quality.
• Easy to Propagate: With a little care, the Fittonia can be easily propagated from stem cuttings, allowing you to create more vibrant plants to share or expand your collection.
• Unique Foliage Texture: Beyond color, the slightly crinkled texture of the Fittonia leaves adds another layer of visual interest to your plant arrangements.
• Boosts Mood and Well-being: Surrounding yourself with living plants, especially those as beautiful as the Ruby Lime Fittonia, has been shown to reduce stress and enhance overall mood.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Fittonia Ruby Lime live plant involves understanding its tropical origins and replicating those conditions as best as possible indoors. These plants are known for being a bit dramatic when thirsty, but generally, their needs are consistent. Providing the right environment will ensure your Fittonia nerve plant thrives and maintains its vivid coloration. The Fittonia care tips below will help you keep your plant healthy.

Light: Fittonias prefer bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch their delicate leaves and cause the vibrant colors to fade. An east-facing window is often ideal, or a few feet away from a south or west-facing window. If placed in too low light, the plant may become leggy and lose some of its intense coloration. Rotate your plant periodically to ensure even growth.

Watering: Consistent moisture is key for Fittonias. They prefer their soil to be consistently damp but never waterlogged. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly before watering again. If the plant dries out too much, it will dramatically wilt, but usually perks back up quickly after a thorough watering. Avoid letting it sit in standing water, as this can lead to root rot. Use filtered or distilled water if your tap water is heavily chlorinated, as Fittonias can be sensitive to chemicals.

Humidity: This is perhaps the most crucial factor for a thriving Fittonia. They demand high humidity, ideally above 60%. If your home is dry, especially during winter, consider placing your plant on a pebble tray with water, grouping it with other plants, or using a humidifier. Misting can provide a temporary boost but isn’t a long-term solution. Terrariums are excellent for maintaining the high humidity this Ruby Lime Fittonia craves.

Soil: Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix that retains some moisture. A mix suitable for African Violets or a standard potting mix amended with perlite and peat moss works well. The soil should be slightly acidic to neutral.

Temperature: Fittonias are sensitive to cold. They prefer warm temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C). Avoid placing them near cold drafts, air conditioning vents, or heating elements, as sudden temperature fluctuations can stress the plant. Protect your Fittonia Ruby Lime live plant from temperatures below 55°F (13°C).

Fertilization: Feed your Fittonia with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 2-4 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). Reduce feeding in fall and winter when growth slows. Over-fertilization can lead to leaf burn.

Pruning: Pinch back leggy stems to encourage a bushier growth habit and maintain the plant’s compact shape. This also promotes new, vibrant foliage. You can use the trimmed pieces for propagation.

Size & Details

This offering is for one healthy Fittonia Ruby Lime live plant, shipped in a 2-inch nursery pot. The plant’s exact size will vary slightly based on growth and availability, but it will be a well-rooted, established specimen ready for its new home. Typically, Fittonias remain relatively compact, spreading rather than growing tall. In optimal indoor conditions, a Fittonia can spread up to 6-12 inches wide, though regular pinching can keep it smaller and bushier. The foliage will display the characteristic vibrant green with distinct ruby-red veins, making it a highly decorative small indoor plant. The growth rate is moderate, allowing you to enjoy its development without it quickly outgrowing its space. This plant is perfect for adding a touch of tropical flair to any small corner or as a central piece in a terrarium.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Fittonia Ruby Lime live plant get? A: This small indoor plant typically grows as a compact, spreading groundcover, reaching about 3-6 inches tall and spreading 6-12 inches wide. Regular pruning can help maintain its desired size and bushiness.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: The Fittonia Ruby Lime live plant is shipped in a 2-inch nursery pot, which is suitable for its initial growth. You may want to repot it into a slightly larger decorative pot or terrarium upon arrival.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Fittonias are primarily grown as indoor houseplants in most climates due to their need for high humidity and warm temperatures. They can be grown outdoors in very warm, humid, and shaded tropical environments (USDA zones 11+).
• Q: How much sunlight does the Fittonia nerve plant need? A: This plant thrives in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch its leaves and fade its vibrant colors. A north or east-facing window is often ideal.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? Is it good for beginners? A: Fittonias can be a bit demanding regarding humidity and consistent watering, earning them a reputation for being ‘dramatic’ when thirsty. However, once you understand their needs, they are relatively easy to care for and can be a rewarding plant for beginners willing to provide the right conditions. Following these Fittonia care tips will help.
• Q: What condition will the Fittonia Ruby Lime live plant arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive healthy and well-packaged, ready for transplanting or placement. We take great care to ensure it reaches you in excellent condition, though minor soil shifting during transit is possible.
• Q: Is the Ruby Lime Fittonia pet-safe? A: Yes, Fittonia plants are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them a safe choice for pet owners. However, it’s always best to prevent pets from ingesting large quantities of any plant material.
• Q: How often should I water my Fittonia? A: You should water your Fittonia nerve plant when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry. They prefer consistently moist soil but not waterlogged conditions. They will often wilt dramatically when thirsty, signaling it’s time to water.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature this plant can tolerate? A: The Fittonia Ruby Lime live plant is sensitive to cold and prefers temperatures above 65°F (18°C). It should not be exposed to temperatures below 55°F (13°C) for extended periods.
• Q: Can I put my Fittonia in a terrarium? A: Absolutely! Fittonias are excellent terrarium plants because they thrive in the high humidity and stable temperatures that terrariums provide. Their compact size and vibrant foliage make them a beautiful addition to enclosed ecosystems.