---
title: "I don’t know the name of this plant but going to repot it. It’s very…"
description: "I don’t know the name of this plant but going to repot it. It’s very picky. I need help identifying it and how to water it and keep it alive. It’s my mother’s.…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/3TbmfOspSduhqEHUN9w_TA"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Rhiannen"
published: "2024-02-18T20:52:35.757791Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/xQaJdO5zEOVhI-_25w-x3qh55WT6F6c3yUmVC_bEOK4/6tDiOr8NSW-CK6Xz04wkdg.webp?size=large"
---

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# I don’t know the name of this plant but going to repot it. It’s very…

_Posted by Rhiannen on 2024-02-18_

I don’t know the name of this plant but going to repot it. It’s very picky. I need help identifying it and how to water it and keep it alive. It’s my mother’s. Please help!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/xQaJdO5zEOVhI-_25w-x3qh55WT6F6c3yUmVC_bEOK4/6tDiOr8NSW-CK6Xz04wkdg.webp?size=large)

## 8 comments

### bbriittanyyy commented on 2024-02-18

looks like a nerve plant

### megan 🌱 commented on 2024-02-18

hope it does well

### eris commented on 2024-02-18

it’s a fittonia! i only water mine when the top of the soil is dry❤️

### Lucy Frü commented on 2024-02-18

Yep, it’s a pink nerve plant (fittonia albivenis) and they are draaaama queens!! I agree that 9/10 times you need drainage… Personally for these thirst traps, I go no-drainage. These picky gals don’t love direct light or drafts, but love humidity which is why you often see them in little terrariums. If you wanted, you could fashion a DIY humidity hood (Google ideas) and see if the leaves start behaving themselves.

If all else fails and she happens to “un-alive” herself, don’t be too hard on yourself. They’re so high maintenance, and you can always replace her (after a respectful mourning period, of course) with a pink polka dot plant which looks super similar but is IMO easier to keep alive and looking good.

#### Sarah replied on 2024-02-19

Funny, I have had four happy fittonias but swore never-again on polka dot plants.

#### Lucy Frü replied on 2024-02-19

I get what you mean— they are needier in some ways but I love that they’ll faint when they’re thirsty but don’t get crispy like nerve plants, and aren’t as picky about lighting. But to each their own, if you’ve had a different experience!!

#### Sarah replied on 2024-02-20

My polka dot lost all the pink because of too much light. But it also got stretchy from not enough light. At the same time. 🤪

I try to avoid letting my nerve plants faint because it’s stressful for them, but they bounce back quickly when it does happen.

I’m in zone 5 and have terrible sunlight in this house, so they can be in the window in winter and tucked in a little during peak summer.

### Sarah commented on 2024-02-19

Don’t let her dry out! Water her frequently, like a peace lily.

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