If you’re eager to create your own thriving terrarium, but are unsure about selecting the right plants, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. With so many plant options available, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. To simplify things, I’ll provide a comprehensive list of over 20 plant varieties that can excel in a terrarium setting. Simply choose the ones that resonate with you and consider which will best complement your unique terrarium design.
Gorgeous Terrarium Plants
When crafting a stunning terrarium, the right plant selection is crucial. Here are some top-notch options to consider: succulents like Aloe Vera, Echeveria, and Crassula; mosses like Sphagnum and Hypnum; ferns such as Asplenium and Nephrolepis; air plants (Tillandsia) for a unique twist; or flowering plants like Begonias, Gesneriads, and Bromeliads. These varieties will add texture, color, and depth to your mini-garden, making it truly breathtaking.
Watermelon Peperomia
One of my go-to plants for creating a visually striking terrarium is the Peperomia obtusifolia, which boasts leaves that uncannily resemble a watermelon rind. If you’re designing a terrarium to serve as a decorative piece, this plant’s unique foliage will undoubtedly bring an added layer of interest to your design. Additionally, its compact growth habit – reaching only eight inches in height – makes it an ideal choice for small-scale terrariums.
Furthermore, the Peperomia obtusifolia thrives in humid environments, making it a great option for terrarium enthusiasts who prioritize maintaining a consistent level of moisture within their miniature ecosystems.
Starfish Plant
Among my beloved plants, the starfish plant stands out for its one-of-a-kind appearance and versatility in a terrarium setting. Its star-shaped silhouette is instantly captivating, and at just six inches tall, it’s perfectly suited to thrive in a miniature environment like a terrarium. Furthermore, this fascinating plant exhibits an impressive adaptation to light conditions – its leaves transform into either lighter or darker shades of green depending on the amount of sunlight they receive.
Polka Dot Plant
Among the unique features of a Polka Dot plant is its visually striking foliage, which resembles tiny dots scattered across the leaves. This charming characteristic can be found in various hues, including pink, red, and silver tones.
When it comes to creating an ideal environment for this plant, it thrives under indirect sunlight conditions and requires consistent moisture levels.
To maintain a healthy balance and prevent overgrowth, regular pruning is necessary to control the Polka Dot’s growth within the confines of your terrarium.
Pollyanna Vine
The Pollyanna Vine, also known as Baby’s Tears, is a classic plant that reminds me of the timeless movie and book, Pollyanna. Its short green stems make it an ideal choice for terrariums. While it thrives in constant moisture and basks in plenty of sunlight, this plant has a reputation for being quite invasive when grown outdoors. In fact, it can quickly take over any area where it’s planted.
However, when contained within a terrarium, you don’t have to worry about its spread, making it a great option for indoor gardening enthusiasts.
Silver Nerve Plant
This stunning plant is an excellent choice for creating a visually appealing terrarium. Its delicate, lace-like foliage boasts a unique combination of green, burgundy, and white hues, adding a touch of elegance to any miniature garden. Reaching only about a foot in height, it thrives in humid environments with moist conditions, making it an ideal candidate for most closed-top terrariums.
Pothos
For those who feel they may not possess a natural flair for plant care, don’t worry – there’s a plant that can thrive in a terrarium despite your lack of experience. The secret to success lies in providing it with the right conditions. Start by placing the plant in an area with indirect sunlight, as direct sunlight can cause it to become scorched. Next, be mindful not to overwater the plant, as this can lead to root rot and other issues.
Finally, prune the plant regularly to keep it from outgrowing its container and to encourage healthy growth. By following these simple tips, even those without a ‘green thumb’ can enjoy the beauty of a thriving terrarium.
Creeping Fig
For a visually appealing and interactive terrarium experience, consider incorporating this charming climber with heart-shaped leaves. Its vining habit allows it to thrive in a larger terrarium setting, where you can train the stems to wrap around decorative objects for added visual interest. However, it’s essential to provide this plant with indirect sunlight conditions, which means placing it near a window in your home or using grow lights to simulate its preferred environment.
Croton
Adding a pop of color and texture to any terrarium, the leaves of this plant truly shine with their vibrant hues and glossy finish. But it’s essential to remember that these plants crave light, so be mindful of where you place your terrarium. In open terrariums, crotons are an excellent choice, as they don’t require as much moisture as some other varieties, making them a low-maintenance addition to your miniature garden.
Friendship Plant
The Friendship Plant is an excellent choice for a terrarium, reaching only about 12 inches in height. As with many terrarium plants, it thrives in damp or tropical environments. However, unlike some of its peers, the Friendship Plant prefers partial shade to full shade. When designing your mini indoor garden, be sure to factor this preference into your selection of companion plants, ensuring a harmonious coexistence within your glass container.
Spiderwort
For over five decades, a remarkable type of plant has thrived in a closed-bottle terrarium under the care of a dedicated gardener. The astonishing fact is that this plant has only received water once during its 53-year lifespan. This incredible feat serves as a testament to the plant’s resilience and adaptability.
With its straightforward design featuring long green shoots, it’s clear that success with this plant requires minimal maintenance, making it an ideal choice for gardeners of all levels.
African Violet
As an avid enthusiast of African Violets, I’ve had limited success in nurturing them due to my mischievous feline friends. My cats have a peculiar fondness for munching on any plant that ventures into our home, and the delicate nature of African Violets makes their leaves particularly vulnerable to damage. Moreover, these plants are notoriously finicky about moisture levels, as they thrive when their soil is consistently damp but detest having their leaves wet.
Despite these challenges, I believe African Violets can be a fantastic addition to a terrarium setup. By providing the ideal moist environment for their roots, the plants can absorb water as needed, and their compact growth habit – typically reaching only about six inches in height – makes them an excellent choice for indoor container gardens. In return, you’ll be rewarded with stunning specimens boasting vibrant, colorful foliage.
Victoria Fern
The Victoria Fern is often at the forefront of my mind when contemplating a terrarium, and for good reason. Its striking foliage boasts a range of greens that bring a pop of color to the enclosed ecosystem. Furthermore, the fern’s jagged leaves introduce an intriguing textural element that enhances the overall aesthetic of the miniature garden. Notably, Victoria Ferns thrive in tropical environments, making them an ideal choice for a terrarium setup that simulates these conditions.
Moss
Transforming your terrarium into a miniature wonderland is made easier by incorporating diverse types of moss. This natural addition not only brings a splash of color to the space but also requires minimal maintenance. The soft, lush foliage of the moss can be arranged to resemble tiny shrubs, adding depth and visual interest to the terrarium. Furthermore, it provides an ideal base for larger plants to thrive.
Simply incorporating rocks or other decorative elements can enhance the overall aesthetic, creating a harmonious balance between nature and artistry.
Pilea
This stunning plant excels at generating a range of vibrant green hues and adding depth through its varied textures, making it an excellent addition to any terrarium. To bring out its full potential, be sure to provide sufficient light. If the plant doesn’t receive enough illumination, it will adapt by stretching out in search of more sunlight, which can alter its overall appearance.
Strawberry Begonia
The Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) is an excellent option for a miniature indoor garden like a terrarium. Its compact growth habit reaches only about eight inches in height, making it perfect for small spaces. The plant’s distinguishing feature is its vibrant red shoots, which eventually produce showy flowers. But even when the blooms are absent, the stems themselves add a pop of color to your terrarium, creating visual interest and depth.
Calathea
Calathea thrives in a tropical terrarium environment that’s rich in moisture and humidity. This plant can be planted directly into the soil and will do well under indirect sunlight conditions. One of the best things about Calathea is its vibrant foliage, which comes in a range of colors including green, white, and pink, adding a pop of color to your terrarium.
Variegated Spider Fern
Ferns are a popular choice for terrarium enthusiasts, thriving in humid environments where moisture levels remain consistently high. Their understated, yet elegant appearance makes them an excellent addition to any miniature garden setup. With their delicate, shiny green fronds, ferns bring a touch of serenity to the composition, blending harmoniously with other plant varieties that share similar aesthetic sensibilities.
Aquamarine
When it comes to selecting the perfect plant for a miniature garden or terrarium, the Aquamarine species is a great choice. Its compact growth habit, reaching up to 12 inches in height, makes it an ideal cover plant for the base of your terrarium. The small, rounded leaves are also quite pleasing to the eye. Moreover, Aquamarine thrives in humid environments and can tolerate low light conditions, making it an excellent fit for a terrarium where sunlight may be limited.
Golden Club Moss
Golden Club Moss stands out as an ideal choice for terrarium enthusiasts due to its compact growth habit, reaching only six inches in height. While it can spread out over time, regular pruning is crucial to prevent it from overwhelming the enclosure. This low-maintenance plant is easily integrated into most terrarium designs thanks to its delicate, lighter green foliage.
Prayer Plant
The Prayer Plant is an intriguing addition to any terrarium. This unique species thrives in warmer climates and enjoys indirect sunlight. One of its most captivating features is its nocturnal behavior, where the leaves fold up like hands in prayer during the night hours. Interestingly, if this plant isn’t receiving sufficient sunlight, its leaves will remain closed, serving as a visual indicator of its needs.
This fascinating trait makes the Prayer Plant an engaging and educational addition to any indoor garden or terrarium setup.
Cactus
While some may not initially think that cacti are suitable for terrariums, an open-air setup can be a fantastic opportunity to showcase their unique features. As arid-loving plants, they require less maintenance and care, allowing you to appreciate their striking textures and designs without the hassle of excessive watering or humidity.
Venus Flytrap
Contrary to their reputation as sinister, carnivorous plants, these species thrive on consuming insects in their natural habitats. But when it comes to incorporating them into a terrarium, you won’t need to supplement their diet with fly snacks. Instead, provide them with a well-draining substrate like sand and moss, and ensure they receive ample full-spectrum light. With the right conditions, these plants will flourish in your miniature ecosystem.
Air Plant
In conclusion, I’d like to highlight the unique appeal of air plants. These fascinating organisms thrive without soil, making them an ideal choice for modern terrarium enthusiasts. To cultivate these plants, simply place them in a glass container where they can absorb essential nutrients through their remarkable leaves. With this variety, you now have 23 distinct options to choose from, each well-suited to various terrarium designs and climates.
I hope this inspiration has sparked your creativity to create a stunning terrarium that brings a touch of natural elegance to your home.
