Basic Nerve Plant Care
Nerve Plants are not always the easiest houseplant to take care of but are definitely rewarding due to their intense and unique leaf patterns. Below you will find all the information you need to properly care for your Nerve Plant.
| Light |
Bright Indirect LightI love the sunshine but too much direct light will damage my leaves. |
| Water |
Water ModeratelyI don’t like my soil to be too dry or too soggy. Little and often is what I’m after. |
| Humidity |
High HumidityI thrive in humid environments so please mist my leaves every so often. |
| Soil |
Potting SoilI need soil specifically for indoor plants as it retains the right amount of water. |
Direct light will quickly kill your Nerve Plant
One of the most important thing to know when taking care of a Nerve Plant is to keep it away from any direct sunshine as it will cause leaf burn very quickly. Nerve Plants prefer a bright spot with indirect sunshine and can also grow well under fluorescent light.
Try and keep the soil moist
Proper watering is super important for your Nerve Plant care routine as they will struggle if their soil is too dry for prolonged periods of time so try and make sure you keep the soil moist. We recommend watering your Nerve Plant little but often to avoid any overwatering and root rot.
Use a peat-moss base for the soil
Nerve Plants will grow well in a potting soil that allows some drainage, whilst also retaining some of that moisture. This will help with maintaining the right level of water in the soil so that the roots are not sat in stagnant water, but the plant never dries out either.
Nerve Plants will grow in a range of temperatures
You can relax a little when it comes to finding the right temperature for your Nerve Plant as they aren’t as fussy as some other houseplants. We would still recommend you steer clear of really cold temperatures or drafty windows as they are native to the tropical rainforests.
High humidity is vital for Nerve Plants
If we were to give you only one piece of advice for caring for a Nerve Plant, we would always say keep the humidity high. Nerve Plants are native to tropical rainforests so you want to mist your plant often and keep the humidity as high as you can for it to have the best chance at survival. You can find out more about raising the humidity for your houseplants in our humidity guide.
Fertilise your Nerve Plant during the growth season
It is important to remember to only feed your Nerve Plant during the spring and summer months. We recommend using a fertiliser specifically for tropical plants and dilute it at half strength.
Propagate your Nerve Plant using leaf cuttings
When taking a cutting to propagate your Nerve Plant, make sure it includes a node or two as this is where the new roots will pop out from. Propagate in Spring so that your new Nerve Plant cuttings have the best chance at maturing.
Nerve Plants are totally safe and non-toxic for pets
Another great thing about Nerve Plants is that they are not toxic for pets or humans. Although their name might sound dangerous, you don’t need to worry about causing any harm to your furry friends by having these in your home.
Nerve Plant FAQs
Quick and simple answers to the most common questions we see about the Nerve Plant .
Are Nerve Plants toxic?
Although their name doesn’t suggest it, Nerve Plants are totally safe and non-toxic.
Do Nerve Plants need full sun or shade?
One of the most important things to know when taking care of a Nerve Plant is to keep it away from any direct sunshine as it will cause leaf burn very quickly. Nerve Plants prefer a bright spot with indirect sunshine and can also grow well under fluorescent light.
How often should I water my Nerve Plant?
Nerve Plants will struggle if their soil is too dry for prolonged periods of time so try and make sure you keep the potting mix remains moist. We recommend watering your Nerve Plant little but often to avoid any overwatering and root rot. Using a moisture meter can really help with adjusting your watering schedule.
Common Problems with your Nerve Plant
Here are some common issues that you might run into. It's important to diagnose any issues early to give your plant the best chance of bouncing back.
Why has Nerve Plant got yellow leaves?
If you notice that your Nerve Plant is developing yellow leaves, this is most commonly caused by overwatering. Check the moisture in the soil and adjust your watering schedule accordingly. Make sure that you have good drainage holes so that the soil does not become waterlogged.
Crispy dry leaves on a Nerve Plant
Crispy, dry leaves on your Nerve Plant will most probably be caused by a lack of humidity. As Nerve Plant are native to tropical rainforests, they may suffer in dry homes. You can find out more about increasing the humidity for your Nerve Plant here.
Why is my Nerve Plant dropping leaves?
If your Nerve Plant is dropping leaves, it may be due to cold temperatures. If your plant is next to drafty windows, doors or AC vents, the cold air may be stressing your plant out meaning it loses some of its leaves.
