My nerve plant has always been SUPER happy. Maybe now a little too happy. It’s always been nice and full (last pic) and I’ve propagated it plenty of times. I noticed it getting a bit leggy, and tried to trim some of the longer stems. Come to realize, all the stems are long and leggy, and now it’s awkward AF. Do I just trim the rest down??? How do I make it more contained again?
Pot has plenty of drainage, it’s watered frequently, and ample sunlight.
by 30FlirtyAndNapping
8 Comments
Pinch back the tips of the stems just above a leaf node to encourage bushier growth and prevent the plant from getting too tall and spindly; this is the most effective way to manage a leggy nerve plant and maintain its full appearance; also ensure it’s receiving adequate indirect light, as too little light can cause leggy growth.
This happened to me recently! I suspect you’re experiencing a dry winter, and nerve plants like humidity. It also might be too chilly next to the window. I chopped mine down and got a mini humidifier, it been about 3 weeks and slowly growing back.
I might try a grow light. Windows can filter out parts of the spectrum that plants need. If its getting plenty of indoor light and still leggy, it might be a spectrum issue.
Legginess in a nerve plant (*Fittonia albivenis*) is usually caused by insufficient light. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light. Though you said there’s ample light, have a second look.
Trim back leggy growth to encourage new, compact growth. Cut just above a leaf node (the point where leaves grow from the stem). This encourages new growth from that spot.
Regularly pinch the tips of new shoots with your fingers to encourage branching. Only trim 1/3 of the plant at a time to avoid stress.
Also consider:
Rotate the plant occasionally to ensure even light exposure, all over.
Avoid over-fertilizing—feed only once a month during the growing season.
You’re a pink pony girl
Pinch, pinch. Shrug. Pinch some more.
Did you move it to the other side of the window? Some plants are picky like that and she may just be happier on the other side
I have been pretty successful chop and propping mine when she gets leggy. I just add her cut bits back once there’s some root growth.