Description

Small Fittonia Live Terrarium Plant

Bring a splash of living colour to tropical terrariums, vivariums and paludariums with our Small Fittonia Live Terrarium Plant. Also known as the Nerve Plant, Fittonia is prized for its beautifully patterned foliage, compact growth and love of warm, humid environments.

Our plants are produced by Aquadip, specialists in live aquarium and terrarium plants, and are supplied in a soil-free growing medium rather than conventional potting compost. This makes them particularly convenient for planted enclosures where keepers may prefer not to introduce ordinary houseplant compost into an established environment.

Fittonia naturally remains relatively compact and responds particularly well to the humid conditions found in enclosed tropical displays. Its colourful foliage provides an immediate contrast against moss, cork bark, wood and darker substrates, making even a small plant capable of transforming an enclosure.

Plants may vary naturally in colour, pattern and growth habit. We stock red, pink and white which will be chosen at random unless otherwise requested.

Small Fittonia Live Terrarium Plant for Humid Enclosures

Fittonia is particularly well suited to tropical terrariums and bioactive vivariums. It enjoys warmth, humidity and consistently moist growing conditions, while its compact habit makes it useful where larger tropical plants would quickly dominate the display.

Once established, the plant can spread outwards to form attractive areas of low-growing foliage. It can be positioned between pieces of cork, around wood or rocks, or used towards the front of a planted enclosure to create a more established, natural appearance.

Soil-Free Growing Medium

One of the biggest advantages of these Aquadip Fittonias is the way they are supplied.

Rather than arriving planted in conventional potting compost, the roots are contained within a soil-free specialist growing medium. This reduces mess when planting and avoids introducing unknown conventional compost into your terrarium, vivarium or paludarium.

The plant can be carefully removed from its basket and incorporated into a suitable terrarium substrate, or the basket can be incorporated into some planting arrangements where appropriate.

As with any new live plant, we still recommend inspecting and rinsing it as appropriate before introducing it to a sensitive established ecosystem.

Light and Humidity

Fittonia prefers bright, indirect light. Strong direct lighting can scorch the delicate leaves, while insufficient light may result in weaker growth and less vibrant foliage.

Warm, humid conditions are ideal. The growing medium should remain lightly moist but should not become permanently waterlogged or stagnant.

This preference for high humidity is one of the reasons Fittonia performs so well in enclosed and semi-enclosed tropical displays. The RHS likewise recommends Fittonia for terrariums because of its compact growth and preference for warm, humid conditions.

Suitable for Paludariums

Fittonia can also make a beautiful addition to a paludarium, providing colourful terrestrial planting alongside an aquatic section.

Position it above the normal water level where the root zone can remain moist while the foliage receives plenty of humid air. Planted amongst wood, rock or a constructed bank, its brightly patterned leaves can create an excellent transition between the aquatic and terrestrial areas of the display.

Can Fittonia Grow in an Aquarium?

Fittonia can be used around an aquarium, but there is an important distinction:

Fittonia is not a true aquatic plant and should not be permanently submerged.

Instead, it is suitable for emersed aquarium planting, such as open-topped aquariums and riparium-style displays. The root area can be kept consistently moist while the stems and foliage grow above the waterline.

This makes Fittonia particularly interesting for aquariums with emergent wood, planted backgrounds or above-water planting areas, where its colourful foliage can soften the transition from aquarium to room.

Do not plant the entire Fittonia underwater as though it were a conventional aquarium plant. Although it may initially look fine, prolonged submersion will eventually cause the terrestrial foliage to deteriorate.

A Colourful Addition to Bioactive Displays

Fittonia combines particularly well with mosses, ferns and other humidity-loving tropical plants. Its relatively low growth makes it useful beneath taller plants, while the dense foliage creates additional cover and visual structure at ground level.

It is an excellent choice for planted displays containing suitable tropical invertebrates and other inhabitants where environmental requirements are compatible.

Because this is a live plant, individual specimens will naturally differ from the photographs. Leaf colour, markings, fullness and overall size may vary, and occasional minor leaf damage is normal when handling and transporting live plants.

If you have any questions about keeping this plant and whether it’s suitable for your set up, please contact us and a member of our friendly store team will be able to advise you.

Why not check out our photos of some of the best livestock we’ve had in store over the years!