If your Fittonia has leggy stems, you can easily make it bushier by cutting them back. Plants can also be propagated from cuttings.
Fittonias need moist soil, but not too wet, to grow properly.
If the color of your Fittonia is fading, you probably need to move it to a brighter spot.
Pruning Fittonia
Fittonia plants grow fast and can grow up to 4 feet tall in just 6 months.
However, they are susceptible to cold weather, and if they don’t get enough sunlight, the plant may begin to curl. Proper care and watering are essential to prevent this from happening.
The best time to prune Fittonia plants is when they are young. The first thing to do is to make an incision at the base of each stem and then cut upwards.
Make sure to do this carefully, because the sap on the stems can be irritating to the skin. This way, you’ll be sure to avoid damaging the plant’s delicate, primary leaves.
Fittonia plants can be vulnerable to a variety of pests. A few of these include aphids, mealybugs, fungus gnats, snails, and slugs. To combat these pests, treat your plant with neem oil.
For proper Fittonia plant care, pinch back the stems at least one inch above the leaf node.
Don’t remove more than 1/3 of the stem, and never remove more than 3 inches from the ground. While pruned fittingly, Fittonia is not prone to flowering. Flower spikes can detract from the attractive foliage and make the plant look leggy.
Fittonia propagates by division. Its new stems will appear at the base of the pot, creating a fuller plant with time.
After a few months, you can remove them from the pot. Make sure the cuttings are one or two inches long and have some nodes.
Growing a More Compact Fittonia
Trimming Fittonia can help them to grow in a more compact shape. However, it is important to avoid overwatering the plant.
Excess water can lead to discoloration and disease and can also restrict airflow around the roots.
To prevent these problems, make sure to water Fittonia only when necessary and pour away excess water every few days.
Fittonia plants can be bought from your local plants’ store, or from specialty plant shops.
The best time to prune a Fittonia is when it has two sets of leaves. This way, you won’t harm the tender baby leaves. Moreover, cut back any leggy stems before they grow too big.
Trimming bushy Fittonia is an important part of plant maintenance. Generally, you’ll need to trim it every 2 years.
For best results, prune the stems to about two inches above ground level, removing approximately 1/3 of the plant.
Also, make sure to fertilize Fittonia plants once a month. Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer, like 10-10-10. Be careful not to over-fertilize it as it can burn the leaves and may even kill the plant.
Trimming Fittonia is similar to pruning any houseplant. You can prune the plant leaf by leaf, inch by inch.
Just remember to remove dead or diseased stems, and only remove a third of the plant at a time. The remaining stems can be used to propagate another plant, so you can continue the cycle.
Fertilizing Fittonia
Fertilizing Fittonia can be tricky because they are delicate plants. This means that you need to pay special attention to the way you water them, and you should never forget to mist them frequently.
A daily misting with warm water will help keep the Fittonia bushy healthy. You can also use an insecticidal soapy solution to keep them from getting attacked.
The best fertilizer for Fittonia bushy is a balanced houseplant water-soluble fertilizer. Use about half the recommended amount and apply it between waterings. Too much fertilizer will burn the foliage and may even kill Fittonia.
Alternatively, you can use granular fertilizer. You can sprinkle it directly on the plant or mix it with the soil. Use a small amount and repeat every few weeks to keep the plant happy and healthy.
If you want your Fittonia to bloom, you must increase humidity. The plant requires humidity above 50%. It does not do well in low humidity, so make sure to mist it frequently.
You can also place your plant near a window to provide good lighting. A good potting mix should provide proper drainage for the plant.
Fittonia bushy thrives best in a sunny window with east or west exposure.
They also tolerate morning and evening sun. If you live in an area with no direct sunlight, you can keep the plant happy by using cool-daylight bulbs.
If the plant receives too much sunlight, its nerves will start to discolor.
Humidity is Key to Growing Fittonia
Humidity is the main ingredient in growing Fittonia. Humidity is the key to Fittonia’s healthy growth and vibrant foliage.
Humidity is essential for the plant to flourish, so keep the humidity level up to 90% and avoid watering too often. If you are not sure how much humidity your plant needs, start by measuring the amount of moisture in the soil.
When the soil is dry, Fittonia plants will start to lose their leaves and stalks.
A simple watering with a spray bottle once or twice a day is enough for this plant to thrive. Be careful not to let the leaves stand in water as that will damage the roots.
Fittonias need a bright location and lots of humidity to thrive. Plants can be purchased at local plant stores or through Rare Plant Shops.
You can also propagate Fittonia from cuttings. To grow fittonia in a pot, remove leggy stems, and plant the newly-grown stems about eight inches above the soil level.
Fittonias love moderate to high moisture levels, and they can tolerate a bit of shade if they are in a sunny window. However, it is important to avoid direct sunlight, which can result in leaf burn.
Humidity is also important for fittonia, as it prefers consistent moistness. If the top 20% of the soil is dry, water it immediately. Humidity also prevents the plant from wilting and collapsing. Fortunately, the plant will revive itself when watered again.
Fittonia Plants and Light Requirements
Fittonia plants are best grown in bright indirect light. They can tolerate slight shade, but their vibrant colors will fade if the area is too dark.
If this is the case, move the plants to a brighter location or treat them with insecticidal oil. Similarly, Fittonia plants will benefit from less water in the winter.
You can buy fittonia plants at your local plant store or from a specialist Rare Plant Shop. You can also propagate them from cuttings.
These plants need moist, but not wet, soil. If you see color fading or your plant has turned spindly, it is probably due to insufficient light. You can move it to a sunnier location and it will produce three or four new plants.
Plants should be pruned regularly to keep them from becoming leggy. For the best results, prune them to around 1/3 of their height above the branch junction.
You can also move them to a brighter location and use a grow light to help them. They can be propagated year-round but are best propagated in spring or early summer. When propagating Fittonias, you should follow the directions on the label.
Fittonia prefers east or west-facing windows and can tolerate some morning or evening sun.
You can also try using a cool-daylight bulb for Fittonia’s light needs. Otherwise, it will lose its bright-colored nerves and attractive leaves.
Repotting Fittonia
If you want your Fittonia to be bushy, you should try repotting it. This plant is native to the tropical climate and needs high humidity to thrive.
Make sure to keep the pot moist, but not so moist that the soil is saturated. You should also keep your plant in indirect light, preferably in a window.
To repot a Fittonia, you can use a peat-based potting soil mix. You can also add rooting hormone to the soil to ensure a more successful plant.
The soil should remain moist but not soggy, as it will promote disease and reduce air flow around the roots.
To determine when to repot your Fittonia, insert a finger into the soil, testing only the top few inches.
Repotting your Fittonia is easy and can be done by taking a cutting from your plant and placing it in water to grow roots.
After a few days, you can plant the cut branch back into its original pot.
It is important to remember that this plant is very fussy when it is young, so it is best to keep a micro-environment around the cutting to ensure the best possible growing conditions for your Fittonia.
Summary
If you want to multiply your Fittonia, you can use stem cuttings.
These can be rooted in rooting powder, well-draining seed starting medium or normal potting soil.
Plant cuttings should be taken in late spring or early summer.
They are easy to grow, as long as you don’t overwater them. The stems of Fittonia plants are soft, so be sure to check the stems for mealy bugs.