Normally grown as a houseplant, nerve plant (Fittonia spp.) is a spreading evergreen with delicately veined, deep-green leaves. Although the most popular vein color is silvery-white, you can also readily find varieties with veins in pink, red, white, and green. Nerve plant is a low-growing creeper that is a perfect fit for terrariums or bottle gardens. In USDA hardiness zone 11, nerve plant is sometimes grown as a creeping ground-cover in filtered sun locations.

As a tropical plant that naturally grows in the humid bright shade of tropical forests, this plant prefers similar conditions when grown as a houseplant. It dislikes full sunlight, preferring bright, indirect sun, such as that offered by north-facing windows.

Keeping the plant appropriately moist can be a challenge. Fittonia is prone to collapse if it's allowed to dry out. Although it will recover quickly if thoroughly watered, repeated fainting spells will eventually take their toll on the plant. At the other extreme, Fittonia plants that are allowed to stagnate in water will develop yellowed, limp leaves.