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Why is my Fittonia limp and droopy?

If you’ve noticed your Fittonia looking deflated and limp-don’t be alarmed! This is totally normal, and easily fixed. Your plant is likely very thirsty and could use a good drink.

Incredibly dry soil

Be sure you’re not underwatering your Fittonia. Keep a consistent watering schedule–water when the top 1-2” of soil are dry.

 

If you accidentally let your Fittonia’s soil dry out completely, you may see fronds droop, crisp up, and leaves fall. If the soil is extremely dry all the way through the pot, a good soak is in order. 

 

Here’s how to soak-water your plant:

 

  1. Place your plant in your sink or tub without the saucer. Fill your basin up with about 1-2” of water. Make sure the water isn’t hot! 
  2. Allow your plant to soak up water through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot for at least 30 min. 
  3. Feel the top of the soil after your plant has been soaking–has the water reached the top 1-2” of soil?
  4. If not all the soil feels saturated, you can water your Fittonia slightly from the top of the soil to help speed up the saturation.
  5. When your plant’s soil is evenly damp, drain the sink/tub and allow the plant to rest while it drains thoroughly. Place the plant back on its saucer and back in its proper spot. 

 

Keep in mind that when the soil goes from bone-dry to saturated, it can cause stress for your Fittonia and it might not perk back up as fast as it normally would. Be patient and give it some time to adjust.

 

Not enough humidity

Your Fittonia might also be pouting because it could use more humidity. Here are some ways you can boost humidity:

 

Mist!
One of the easiest ways to bring a boost of humidity to the plant’s surrounding environment is by misting its leaves with filtered or distilled water. Depending on how dry your environment is, you may need to mist several times a day.

 

Make a pebble tray

Pebble trays are another easy DIY solution to increase humidity around a plant. You don’t want a plant’s roots sitting in water, so to prevent that from happening, add clean pebbles in a shallow water-filled tray. The water level should not be above the pebbles. Place the plant on top of the tray. The water will gradually evaporate around the plant, boosting humidity. 

 

Get a humidifier 
Humidifiers can be a benefit to both people and plants during the winter months. While heaters and fireplaces can dry out a living space, a humidifier adds much-needed moisture to the air. Always follow the instructions regarding where to place it in your home.

 

Give your plant a shower

Give your Fittonia a quick lukewarm shower. Not only does this increase humidity, it also rinses off any dust or debris, and discourages pests from taking up residency.

Need more help?

We're confident your Fittonia will be back to normal in no-time, but if you've followed the steps above and things just aren't improving you can contact us here.