It might be challenging to choose terrarium plants because there are so many fantastic selections that look great and survive in terrariums. The terrarium plants listed here are so simple to grow that even the most inexperienced gardener can succeed. Plants in a closed terrarium nearly never require water and can thrive for years with minimal care.
Additional Tip:
Make careful to get plants that are small enough to fit into your terrarium jar without hitting the sides. Bringing your jar to the nursery or store, or bringing dimensions, is an excellent method to ensure they’ll fit.
Types of Plants Suited to a Closed Terrarium
Plants that thrive in high humidity and warm temperatures are ideal for growing in a closed terrarium. As a result, succulents and cacti should not be grown because they require drier circumstances.
Choose plants that are little and petite, and that will fit in the glass jar you intend to use. The terrarium plants you choose should have similar light, humidity, and water requirements. Small tropical plants thrive in sealed glass pots because the environment is comparable to their natural home.
Evaporation provides moisture to small plants in a sealed terrarium. The glass jar’s lid stops vapor from escaping. This drips back into the potting mix when it condenses on the glass. The steady supply of moisture and humid conditions provide terrarium plants with an ideal natural environment.
Related: Easiest Plants to Take Care of
How Do You Take Care of a Closed Terrarium?
A sealed terrarium should be kept away from direct sunlight. Soil should be moist, and some moisture on the glass is normal. Watering terrarium plants is rarely necessary. If you must add water, do it in small amounts at a time. If the humidity level in your glass terrarium is too high, leave it open for a day.
Low-Care Plants That Grow Well in Terrariums
Let’s have a look at some of the best plants for closed terrariums. Over 20 plant species suited for growing in glass containers are included in this list. Pictures of terrarium plants, along with descriptions and scientific names, can assist you in selecting the best ones.
Artillery Fern (P. microphylla)
Artillery ferns are not true ferns, but rather members of the Pilea family. Artillery ferns get their name because they shoot their seeds with a popping sound—and sometimes rather far. Despite their explosive nature, these plants are fragile and have an appealing texture. It is simple to cultivate and should thrive with little attention.
- Light: Medium to bright indirect light
- Water: Medium
- Color: Insignificant bloom
Aluminum Plant (Pilea Cadierei)
The aluminum plant, a Vietnamese native, prefers low to medium light and warm temperatures. The leaves have nearly iridescent white markings that make it really stand out. Because this plant grows swiftly, you may need to clip it back every now and again. The aluminum plant is also simple to root. Take a tiny clipping and place it in damp soil.
- Light: Low to medium light
- Water: Regularly in spring and summer; less at other times
- Color: Green leaves with white markings
Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
Polka dot plants appear to be really amusing. This bright plant is available in pink, red, and silver variations. It is simple to care for, however it may need to be nipped back if it grows too tall or becomes spindly or leggy.
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Regularly in spring and summer; less at other times
- Color: Green leaves with white markings
Related: How Many Succulents Can You Plant Together?
Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
The red-veined prayer plant is a beautiful plant. The prayer plant acquired its name from the way its leaves fold up at night, as if in prayer. If it is not getting enough light, you will notice that the leaves remain folded even during the day. Prayer plants prefer to be kept warm, so avoid placing your terrarium near a cold window or in a draft.
- Light: Medium, indirect light
- Water: Regularly in spring and summer; less at other times
- Color: Green leaves with white markings
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
While golden pothos vine may appear uninteresting as a houseplant, it can be stunning in a terrarium. Golden pothos has a well-deserved reputation for being a bulletproof, durable houseplant, which is even more true in the controlled environment of a terrarium. Pruning it back on a regular basis will keep your pothos looking nice for years. It’s also simple to propagate by immersing the stems in water.
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Relatively little water; do not overwater
- Color: Green leaves with white markings
Peperomia (peperomia caperata)
There are over 1,000 cultivars of peperomia. The leaves of the common peperomia caperata might be entirely green or tinged with red. This sluggish grower thrives in terrariums. Peperomia occasionally produces attractive flower spikes. If you’re lucky, these flowers will offer a splash of color to your terrarium.
- Light: Low to bright indirect light
- Water: Relatively little water; do not overwater
- Color: Green leaves or green with red
Related: Plant Tips: The Top 10 Erosion-Controlling Plants
Baby Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
Baby tears is a tiny plant with several different names. Angel’s tears, mind-your-own-business, peace-in-the-home, Pollyanna vine, mother of thousands, and the Corsican’s curse are all names for the plant. The curse could be referring to the fact that, under the correct conditions, baby’s tears can be quite invasive, encroaching on entire gardens. It is a nice, low-growing plant that will behave well in a terrarium.
- Light: Bright light
- Water: Consistent moisture
- Color: Creamy ivory flowers
Button Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia)
There’s something quite charming about a little button fern. It is tough and drought tolerant, and it is native to New Zealand. It has a slightly mop-headed appearance, yet it is also delicate and graceful.
- Light: Full shade to filtered light
- Water: Water weekly
- Color: Green foliage
Creeping Fig (Ficus primula)
With its small, variegated heart-shaped leaves, creeping fig is a charming addition to practically any terrarium. Because it is a perennial climbing vine, it can be trained to crawl up structures, which could be fun to try in a large terrarium. By roots a branch-cutting in water, you can readily reproduce creeping fig.
- Light: Partial to full sun
- Water: Water occasionally
- Color: Green foliage
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
Crotons can really glam up your terrariums. Its lustrous, thick leaves come in an astounding variety of colors and shapes. The gold dust croton, for example, is a narrow-leaved variety with varying levels of gold depending on the cultivar. It is not widely known as a terrarium plant, although it does exceptionally well in open-jar terrariums.
- Light: Bright indirect, dappled light
- Water: Water occasionally
- Color: Green, gold, and salmon foliage
Related: How to Grow Succulents?
Conclusion
It is simple to get started and build a closed terrarium. A suitably big glass container with a sealable cover is required. To establish the optimum growing environment for terrarium plants, start with a layer of pebbles for drainage, followed by a layer of activated charcoal, and finally a layer of potting soil.
Plants should be planted no deeper than the potting soil. After you’ve chosen your plants, you may add beautiful pebbles or stones to complete the aesthetic of your terrarium indoor garden.
Keep in mind that a closed terrarium does not require much watering. The soil should be moist but not soggy or humid. Water only on occasion and use a tablespoon or two, depending on the size of your container.
