Buying guide
Buy a Nerve Plant Online: Sizes, What to Check, and Where to Buy
By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated · How we research · Report an error
Quick verdict
- Buy it if you can give it medium indirect light; no direct sun.
- Difficulty: Moderate · Pets: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
- Size to buy: A small pot is the usual buy; its size at maturity is 3-6 in tall.
- Where to buy: No shop listing confirmed yet; see the top-rated houseplants shops below, or search Amazon.
The nerve plant (fittonia) has small leaves netted with white, pink or red veins. It loves humidity, which makes it ideal for terrariums and bathrooms, and it is listed as non-toxic to pets.
Plant profile
- Light
- Medium indirect light; no direct sun
- Water
- Keep evenly moist; it faints when dry
- Humidity
- High
- Pets
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA) [ASPCA]
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Size
- 3-6 in tall
- Growth
- Moderate
Is a nerve plant right for you?
It suits you if you can give it medium indirect light; no direct sun and you are happy to water keep evenly moist; it faints when dry. Difficulty: Moderate. It is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, so it is a good choice for pet homes. Not sure? Try the Plant Finder.
Similar plants to consider: Pothos, Snake Plant, ZZ Plant, Peace Lily.
Size and age buying guide
| Size | What you usually get | Why choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Tabletop / shelf | Usually a 4-6 in nursery pot. | Cheapest way in; expect a long wait to reach a large size. |
Younger or older plant? A younger, smaller plant costs less and settles in easily; an older, larger plant gives you the look straight away but costs more to buy and ship. With a moderate growth rate and a mature size of 3-6 in tall, buy close to the size you want.
Sizes and what you will receive
Online shops sell plants by nursery pot diameter: about 4 in (small, shelf), 6 in (desk or table), 8-10 in (small floor plant) and 12 in and up (floor statement). Height varies a lot within one pot size, so read the listed height too. A mature nerve plant can reach 3-6 in tall and growth is moderate, so a smaller plant will take time to fill out; buy closer to the size you want.
What to check when buying: a healthy nerve plant
- Firm, evenly colored leaves with no mushy stems at the soil line.
- Soil that is not sour-smelling or waterlogged when it arrives.
- No webbing, sticky residue or tiny moving insects under the leaves.
- Roots, if you peek, that are pale and firm rather than brown and soft.
Problems to know about before buying:
- Collapsed plant: Dry soil; water at once.
- Crispy leaves: Low humidity.
- Yellow, mushy stems: Overwatering.
What to check on arrival
- Photograph the box and the plant before and while you unpack; most guarantees ask for photos.
- Leaves and stems: firm, evenly colored leaves; no snapped stems or mushy tissue at the soil line.
- Soil: not sour-smelling or waterlogged.
- Pests: no webbing, sticky residue or tiny moving insects under the leaves.
- Size: compare the pot size and height with the listing you ordered.
- Report problems quickly under the shop’s guarantee.
Problems that often show up after delivery:
- Collapsed plant: Dry soil; water at once.
- Crispy leaves: Low humidity.
- Yellow, mushy stems: Overwatering.
Prices
We do not quote prices until we have checked them. They change with pot size, season and sales. To compare fairly, compare the same pot size and check whether a decorative pot and shipping are included.
Shipping and seasonal risks
Tropical plants like this one suffer below about 50°F (10°C). In winter, order from a shop that adds heat packs or holds shipments in freezing weather, and bring the box inside as soon as it arrives. Summer heat in a delivery truck can also damage plants, so avoid long weekends in transit.
Your first week after delivery
- Unbox right away and photograph any damage; most guarantees need photos within a set window.
- Water only if the soil is dry; many plants arrive already moist.
- Give it medium indirect light, but avoid harsh direct sun for a few days.
- Keep it away from other plants for one to two weeks in case of pests.
- Wait two to four weeks before repotting. Full care guide: Nerve Plant care.
Where to buy a nerve plant online, and why
Comparing shops in general? See the best places to buy plants online. No shop listing confirmed yet, so the shops below are labeled as not confirmed. Stock changes daily. We may earn a commission from some links; it never decides what we list. Disclosure.
Honest note: we have not yet confirmed a shop listing for a nerve plant. The shops below sell houseplants and rank highest in our shop ranking; search their site for it, as stock changes often. We will list shops here once we have checked an actual listing.
The Sill Not confirmed for this plant
New York-founded houseplant brand known for design-led plants in ceramic planters.
Customer rating: 4.5/5 from 1,284 reviews on Sitejabber (checked 21 October 2026).
Trees.com (formerly Fast Growing Trees) Not confirmed for this plant
Large online nursery for trees, shrubs and some indoor plants; rebranded from FastGrowingTrees.com.
Customer rating: 4.3/5 from 32,971 reviews on Sitejabber (checked 21 October 2026).
Brighter Blooms Not confirmed for this plant
Online nursery for trees, shrubs and indoor plants.
Customer rating: 3.7/5 from 4,150 reviews on Sitejabber (checked 21 October 2026).
Compare shipping and guarantee terms side by side in Online plant shop policies compared.
FAQ: buying a nerve plant online
Where can I buy a nerve plant online?
We have not yet confirmed a shop listing for a nerve plant. The highest-rated houseplants shops in our ranking are The Sill, Trees.com (formerly Fast Growing Trees), Brighter Blooms; search their sites, or search Amazon.
What size nerve plant should I buy?
A small pot is the usual buy; its size at maturity is 3-6 in tall. Online shops sell by nursery pot diameter, and height varies within one pot size, so read the listed height too.
Is a nerve plant safe for cats and dogs?
Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). Check the ASPCA plant list and ask your vet if a pet chews it.
Is a nerve plant easy to care for?
Our care guide rates it moderate. It needs medium indirect light; no direct sun; water keep evenly moist; it faints when dry. Humidity: high.
What should I check when my nerve plant arrives?
Photograph the box and plant as you unpack, check for firm leaves, unbroken stems, soil that is not waterlogged and no pests under the leaves, then report any problem to the shop quickly, as guarantees have short windows.
When is the best time to order a nerve plant online?
Order in mild weather where you can. In winter, choose a shop that adds heat packs or holds shipments in freezing weather; in summer, avoid shipments that sit in a hot truck over a long weekend.
Does Plantshop.com sell plants?
No. We are an independent buying guide; we do not sell plants or handle orders. We link to shops and may earn a commission on some links, which never decides what we list.
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