- Mosaic plant: origin and properties
- The most beautiful varieties
- Planting Fittonia: location and procedure
- Care of the Mosaic Plant
- Propagate Mosaic Plant
- Is the mosaic plant poisonous?
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When you look at the leaves of the mosaic plant, it is immediately clear where the name comes from. The fine drawing also makes it an eye-catcher in every apartment.
The mosaic plant (Fittonia albivenis) is a houseplant with exotic foliage and modest requirements. Here you can find out everything you need to know about the origin, care and propagation of the trend plant.
Mosaic plant: origin and properties
Within the genus Fittonia (Fittonia) there are currently two species. One of them is called Mosaic Plant (Fittonia albivenis), but it is also called Silver Net Leaf or Fittona Verschaffeltii. She can be kept in the room. The species Fittonia gigantea is also partially cultivated as a houseplant. Depending on the species, the mosaic plant reaches heights of between 15 and 80 cm. The herbaceous, creeping plant originally comes from the forests of tropical South America, where it likes warm and humid locations. The most striking feature of the Fittonia are its leaves, which, depending on the variety, have an amazing variety of colors. In indoor culture, the mosaic plant usually does not flower, while in nature small white-yellow flowers appear on the spikes.
Tip: The mosaic plant was named after the two sisters Elizabeth and Sara Fitton. They published a book on botany in 1867 that popularized the pretty plant.
The most beautiful varieties
There are different varieties of silver netting (Fittonia albivenis), which differ in color and size of the leaves. The silver net leaf is only up to 15 cm high, has pronounced leaf veins and is available in varieties with a wide variety of colors:
- Small-leaved Fittonia (Fittonia albivenis 'Minima'): This cultivar has small, delicate green leaves with silver veins and grows only a few centimeters in height.
- Fittonia albivenis 'Red Anne': The red colored leaves of this variety are larger than the Small Mosaic Plant.
- Fittonia albivenis 'Pink Forest Flame': Who likes a Fittonia in pink is well served with this variety. The leaves appear soft pink due to the pink veins.
- Fittonia albivenis 'Pearcei': Like 'Red Anne', this variety has red veins. Overall, however, it forms more leaves that are closer together.
Note: There are two Fittonia species that can be grown as houseplants. In addition to the silver web, the giant web (Fittonia gigantea) is also available. The plant grows up to 80 cm tall and has red leaf veins. Its individual leaves, which are a maximum of 10 cm long, have red veins. So far, the diversity of the giant net sheet has been limited to the original species.
Planting Fittonia: location and procedure
Since the mosaic plant comes from tropical rainforests, it should be bright but not in direct sunlight. This promotes he althy and compact growth and helps the leaves to develop an intense coloration. Heat and high humidity of 60 to 90% should also be present. A suitable location for the Fittonia is therefore, for example, a bright bathroom. On a south-facing window, the mosaic plant should be shaded, at least in summer, as direct lighting can cause leaf damage.
The silver mesh sheet does not make any great demands on the temperature: normal room temperature is completely sufficient. In winter, however, you should make sure that the temperature does not fall below 16 °C, because the fittonie reacts sensitively to this. The mosaic plant also does not like temperatures above 35 °C.
Since mosaic plants love high humidity and grow slowly, the Fittonia can also move into a terrarium or a bottle garden, as long as it gets enough light. However, planting the Fittonia in the aquarium is not a good idea, because as a terrestrial jungle plant it does not tolerate complete submersion.
The right time to repot or repot a Fittonia plant is in springthe plant has time over the summer to form new roots. A high-quality potting soil is suitable as a substrate, which can still absorb the irrigation water well even after a long time. For example, our Plantura organic universal soil is ideal for this, which not only provides all the important nutrients, but also does not require peat. A drainage hole and a drainage layer on the bottom of the pot can prevent waterlogging.
Care of the Mosaic Plant
Regular watering and fertilizing are essential when caring for mosaic plants. In addition, high humidity must be ensured so that the Fittonia remains vital.
When watering the mosaic plant, the motto is: «Moderately, but regularly». This means that the plant should be watered as soon as the soil in the pot is superficially dry. It is important to avoid prolonged drought, as this means stress for the plant. At the latest when the leaves begin to droop, it is high time to water. On the other hand, the soil should not be permanently wet, nor should the pot stand in water, as this can lead to root rot.
To keep the humidity high, the mosaic plant should be sprayed with water from time to time. Alternatively, the pot can also be placed on a saucer filled with expanded clay balls and water. This way it evaporates from the saucer without the mosaic plant getting wet feet.
To support optimal growth and prevent nutrient deficiencies over time, add a liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water on a regular basis. For example, our Plantura organic indoor and green plant fertilizer is suitable for this, which promotes he althy growth with its balanced nutrient ratio and active microorganisms and does not contain any animal components. Fertilize every two weeks in summer and every four weeks in winter.
Since fittonia shed the lower leaves over time so that leaves only remain on the upper part of the shoots, it is worth pruning them from time to time. This has two advantages: branching is stimulated, making the plant bushier and more compact, and the cut shoot tips can be used as cuttings for propagation. Pruning can be done all year round. However, a time in the spring is recommended, as the cut shoots can form new roots during the summer.
Propagate Mosaic Plant
The mosaic plant is easily propagated by cuttings, division or seeds.
Propagate mosaic plant via cuttings
In spring, shoots about 10 cm long are cut off. The lower half of it is freed from leaves and then put into moist soil. Place the pots with the cuttings in a bright place, out of direct sunlight. The soil and air should be kept moist, for example in a greenhouse or a freezer bag placed over the pot. At 18 °C, rooting takes about two weeks.
Share mosaic plants
In spring, large mosaic plants can be divided, which is why repotting is a good idea. The root ball can easily be broken up into several rooted sections with your hands. At 18 °C, it doesn't take long for the parts of the mosaic plant to take root in fresh soil as independent plants.
Sow Mosaic Plant
If you were able to get hold of seeds of mosaic plants, they are sown in pots at 18 °C and covered thinly with soil. The first seedlings appear after just three weeks.
Is the mosaic plant poisonous?
For anyone who has children or pets in the household who need to be careful not to bring potentially poisonous plants into their home, there is good news: Silvernet leaves are not poisonous, neither to humans nor to animals.
The Fittonia is a good example of how ornamental plants are not always about beautiful flowers. There are many plants with special leaves that you can keep in the room. We present the ten most unusual.