Fittonia is a genus of plants belonging to the family Acanthaceae, native to the tropical forests of South America, mainly Peru. Fittonia is often called the "mosaic plant" because of the bright, contrasting veins running through the leaf. The plant is native to hot and humid regions makes the plant requires care that is different compared to most houseplants. Most commonly grown are Fittonia albivenis and its varieties. These are evergreen perennials that grow 10-15 cm tall. They have green leaves with white to pink accentuated veins and have some peristyles covering their stems. The flowers are small and white. The plants are best kept in a moist area with mild sunlight and temperatures above 13°C, so in temperate zones, they should be grown as houseplants. All 15 species of Fittonia vary in colour and, although the leaves are almost always green, the lines on them can vary from white to bright pink.