Plant family
Nerve plants & the acanthus family — Acanthaceae
76 species across 13 genera in the Growli library
A tropical family full of bold-foliage houseplants and flowering shrubs — the nerve plant (Fittonia), polka-dot plant (Hypoestes), zebra plant (Aphelandra), shrimp plant (Justicia) and black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia) all belong here.
Browse nerve plants & the acanthus family by genus
All nerve plants & the acanthus family we cover
- African Crossandra
- Ancistrachne uncinulella
- Aphelandra tetragona
- Black-Eyed Susan Vine
- Brazilian Plume
- Brazilian Plume Flower
- Confetti Polka Dot Plant
- Crossandra (firecracker flower)
- Crossandra infundibuliformis 'Mango'
- Eared Strobilanthes
- Eranthemum pulchellum
- Fascinator Zebra Plant
- Fittonia
- Fittonia 'Frankie'
- Fittonia 'White Anne'
- Fittonia albivenis 'Juanita'
- Fittonia albivenis 'Pink Angel'
- Fittonia albivenis 'Purple Vein'
- Fittonia albivenis 'Red Anne'
- Fittonia albivenis 'Skeleton'
- Goldfussia
- Graptophyllum pictum
- Hamilton's Strobilanthes
- Hypoestes phyllostachya 'Carmina'
- Hypoestes phyllostachya 'Confetti Pink'
- Hypoestes phyllostachya 'Splash Select Pink'
- Hypoestes phyllostachya 'Splash Select White'
- Hypoestes phyllostachya 'Wit'
- Jacobinia Carnea
- Justicia aurea
- Justicia scheidweileri
- Laurel Clockvine
- Mysore trumpetvine
- Oblong-leaf Sanchezia
- Orange Clock Vine
- Pachystachys coccinea
- Pachystachys Lutea
- Panama Queen
- Persian Shield
- Pink Fittonia
- Pink Nerve Plant
- Polka dot plant
- Polka Dot Plant 'Splash Select Red'
- Portella Ruellia
- Prickly Crossandra
- Pseuderanthemum atropurpureum
- Pseuderanthemum carruthersii
- Pseuderanthemum carruthersii var. carruthersii
- Red Clockvine
- Red Fittonia
- red nerve plant
- Red Nerve Plant
- Red Polka Dot Plant
- Reticulate Pseuderanthemum
- Ribbon Bush
- Ruellia Brittoniana
- Ruellia devosiana
- Ruellia makoyana
- Sabin's Strobilanthes
- Sanchezia speciosa
- Shrimp Plant
- Sky Flower Vine
- Splash Polka Dot Plant
- Strobilanthes auriculata var. dyeriana
- Strobilanthes gossypinus
- Strobilanthes kunthianus
- Sweet Clockvine
- Thunbergia battiscombei
- Thunbergia erecta
- Thunbergia grandiflora
- Wallich's Strobilanthes
- White Shrimp Plant
- White Tiger Nerve Plant
- Zebra Plant
- Zebra Plant Aphelandra
- Zebra Plant Dania
Nerve plants & the acanthus family — frequently asked questions
Are nerve plants & the acanthus family toxic to cats and dogs?
Most nerve plants & the acanthus family are pet-safe. Of the 76 nerve plants & the acanthus family we cover, 40 are non-toxic on the ASPCA list and 36 carry a toxic or mildly-toxic rating. Even in a mostly-safe family, confirm the individual species before trusting it around pets.
How much light do nerve plants & the acanthus family need?
Most nerve plants & the acanthus family want bright, indirect light — 53 of the 76 in our library do best there. If yours stretches toward the window or loses its variegation it needs more light; scorched or bleached leaves mean it is getting too much.
Are nerve plants & the acanthus family easy to care for?
Nerve plants & the acanthus family are moderate to grow: the one real requirement is a genuinely bright spot out of harsh midday sun. Get the light right and most of the rest of their care follows.
What is the Acanthaceae family?
The Acanthaceae family — the nerve plants & the acanthus family — groups 76 species across 13 genera in the Growli library, most prominently Fittonia, Hypoestes, Thunbergia. Members share a broadly similar light, water and soil pattern, which is why it pays to learn the family before the individual plant.