The double-whammy of Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day both fall on the same day this year. Rather than crowding your home with equal parts roses and pussy willows, how about trying your hand at the nerve plant, which comes in brilliant colours to brighten up your festive season?

The usual nerve plants have large green leaves, which are categorised into Verschaffeltii and Argyroneura groups with red and white veins respectively. 'Nana' is a miniature version of the latter with small leaves. Growers have now managed to 'widen' the colourful veins and breed varieties with leaves that are 'flooded' with the colour of the veins.

There also are new cultivars with irregular, serrated or wavy leaf edges. Some have leaves that are long and narrow which are arranged around the stem in a star-like manner. Gardeners are now spoilt for choice.

Other cultivars with pink veins will make excellent Valentine's Day gifts. 'Royal Flame' is one such cultivar with large leaves and wavy leaf edges. Notable smaller leafed cultivars in varying shades of pink include 'Pink Forest Flame', 'Zalm Forest' and 'Revolution'.

Red, the colour of prosperity, is the hue of choice during the Chinese New Year season. There are new Fittonia cultivars with intensely red leaves that rise to the occasion, such as 'Red Star', 'Tiger' and 'Forest Flame'. 'Jolly Josan' is a unique variety with leaves that have red veins against a gold background.

Some plants have white veins, to add contrast to the pink- and red-veined varieties. Look out for 'King's Cross' which features almost white leaves with serrated leaf margins. 'White Star' has small, narrow leaves that are also almost white in colour, while 'Raindrop' features small leaves with a touch of pink against white.

Native to the dim and moist understorey of Peruvian tropical forests, nerve plants are also highly suitable for growing inside terrariums. Coupled with an assortment of creative hardscape elements such as sticks, coloured straws, ornamental stones, and seashells, a very innovative display can be achieved when several plants are grouped inside a dish garden. These plants are also good for trailing over the edge of hanging baskets and window boxes.

With all these varieties of nerve plants available for your choosing, your home and garden can be attractively and tastefully coloured in the rosy hues of love and good fortune this February 14!