Fittonia albivenis Joly Josan Red - Nerve plant

The Fittonia 'Joly Josan Red' is a cultivar of this small creeping plant native to the tropical forests of South America, prized for its unique colourful foliage. It develops beautifully contrasted dark olive green leaves adorned with bright red veins. Very compact, it is ideal for terrariums, especially as it thrives in high ambient humidity. You can also grow it in a small pot which it will cover fairly quickly before its stems begin to trail over the sides. It tolerates low-light conditions.

Belonging to the Acanthaceae family, like garden Acanthus, the Fittonia 'Joly Josan Red' is derived from Fittonia albivenis. Its botanical synonym is Fittonia verschaffeltii 'Joly Josan'. It is also called Nerve Plant or Mosaic Plant in reference to its ornamental, beautifully veined foliage. The Fittonia albivenis species originates from the lush tropical forests of South America, initially from regions of Colombia and Peru. This evergreen and creeping undershrub thrives under the dense canopy. Indoors, it reaches a maximum height of 15 cm and spreads to about 30 to 50 cm. Its ovate leaves which can remain small or grow up to 7 cm long display a mix of deep olive green with prominent red veins. It may occasionally produce small, creamy-white tubular flowers nestled between the bracts. However, many growers prefer to remove the buds as they tend to detract from the decorative appeal of the foliage.

The Fittonia albivenis 'Joly Josan Red' is a tropical species grown as a houseplant in our regions. It enjoys bright indirect light and tolerates lower light conditions slightly away from windows, always without direct sunlight, with ambient humidity above 60% and temperatures between 18 and 24°C. Avoid dropping below 15°C. Use a well-draining soil mix and keep it consistently moist but not waterlogged.

The Fittonia 'Joly Josan Red' loves high ambient humidity, making it ideal for terrariums or planted in a pot among other plants with similar requirements. It forms a carpet of highly decorative and colourful leaves. The creeping nature of this plant also makes it perfect for hanging baskets where its trailing stems can be showcased. Perfect for adding a touch of exoticism and colour, it fits into all spaces including bathrooms or kitchens. Pair it with plants that have similar needs such as creeping Ficus of the Ficus pumila species, which thrive under the same conditions.