Fittonia verschaffeltii pink forest flame

Description

Fittonia verschaffeltii ‘Pink Forest Flame’ is a compact tropical plant especially valued for its highly colorful foliage. Its green leaves are crossed by vivid pink to reddish-pink veins, creating a strong and highly decorative contrast. Its low, slightly creeping habit and high humidity requirements make it an excellent choice for tropical terrariums, paludariums and humid planted displays.

Botanical family

Acanthaceae

Genus

Fittonia

Species / Cultivar

Fittonia verschaffeltii ‘Pink Forest Flame’

Origin

Fittonia verschaffeltii is native to the humid tropical forests of South America, particularly Peru, where it naturally grows in warm, shaded and moisture-rich understory environments.

Foliage

The foliage consists of small oval to slightly rounded leaves crossed by a strongly marked network of veins. The cultivar ‘Pink Forest Flame’ stands out for its intense pink to raspberry-red tones, which contrast beautifully with the green leaf blade.

Growth

This Fittonia has a low, dense and slightly creeping growth habit. Under suitable warm and humid conditions, it gradually forms a compact living carpet, making it particularly useful for foreground planting in tropical terrariums.

Light

Provide bright indirect light. Good light levels encourage compact growth and help maintain intense pink coloration. Avoid direct sunlight, which can quickly scorch the foliage.

Watering

Keep the substrate consistently slightly moist without allowing it to become waterlogged. Fittonia does not tolerate prolonged dryness well and may wilt rapidly when the substrate becomes too dry.

Humidity

Fittonia verschaffeltii ‘Pink Forest Flame’ appreciates high humidity, ideally between 70 and 90%. It therefore performs particularly well in humid tropical terrariums and paludariums.

Temperature

Maintain temperatures between 18 and 26°C whenever possible. Avoid temperatures below 15°C, cold drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations.

Substrate

Use a light, organic substrate that retains regular moisture while remaining well drained. A mixture containing coco fiber, organic potting soil, perlite and plant-based organic matter is particularly suitable.

Terrarium suitability

Fittonia verschaffeltii ‘Pink Forest Flame’ is perfectly suited to humid tropical terrariums and paludariums. Its compact size makes it ideal for foreground planting, between roots, around decorative structures or as a colorful groundcover.

Maintenance

Pinch or lightly trim the growing tips to maintain a dense and compact shape. Regular pruning also encourages branching and makes it easy to control the plant’s spread.

JungleBox tip

In a terrarium, combine your Fittonia verschaffeltii ‘Pink Forest Flame’ with mosses, ferns and dark green tropical plants. Its vivid pink veining will immediately add contrast and depth to the composition.

Important information

Fittonia is particularly sensitive to drying out. When grown outside a terrarium, monitor substrate moisture regularly and avoid placing the plant near heaters or sources of dry air.