Terrariums act like little greenhouses, increasing the humidity that so many plants love, allowing the environment to recycle water and its own organic matter.
This means moisture-loving houseplants from tropical and subtropical regions are ideal for terrariums. Most of these are excellent as house plants too.
We’ve created a handy plant guide to get you started on this fun project…
What plant to choose?
Not all plants are suitable for use in a terrarium. Desert cacti, for instance, really don’t like closed terrariums – far too hot and steamy. But there are many succulents that do, so long as the soil is well drained and you don’t over water. Younger versions of many large plants are okay because the limited resources restrict their growth. Spreading creepers are excellent because they grow upwards and outwards. Grasses, ferns and miniature shrubs are also fine.
Is it okay to use moss?
Mosses do prefer a damp environment. But they don’t always like a warm environment. With a bit of experimentation you can find a decorative moss that will thrive in your terrarium. However, make sure any moss you collect is from your garden or a public area – not from a national forest.
Only use moss from your garden, not a national forest.
A good rule of thumb is to transplant moss that is growing on soil, onto soil in your terrarium. If it’s growing on a rock or log outdoors, then it’s unlikely grow on soil in your terrarium.
Pro tip: You can freeze moss if you’re not going to use it straight away.
Where to buy
To avoid the chance of unexpected mushrooms or bugs infesting your terrarium (I’ve been there and it’s not pretty), it’s always best to buy sterile moss, plants and potting mix from reputable nurseries or online.
Read more: How to make a self-sustaining terrarium
Bright light loving plants
1. African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
African Violets are native to Tanzania and became popular amongst Europeans in the late nineteenth century. Their attractive, velvety foliage, compact growing habits and wide variety of long blooming flowers make this one of the world’s most popular indoor plants.
2. Air Plant (Tillandsia)
These amazing plants can grow and thrive without soil. They do need constant air circulation thought – so open terrariums only. A light misting of water, and indirect light keeps them happy.
3. Bloodleaf Iresine (Iresine herbstii)
For glossy, bright red foliage, you can’t beat this small, branching plant. It’s a perennial and grows up to 60cm. Pinch the tips to induce bushiness.
4. Button Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia)
This Australian native is great for beginners. It enjoys evenly moist soil and fills any space quickly.
5. Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
A tree-like plant that appreciates bright, indirect light. Allow to dry slightly between waterings.
6. Earth star (Cryptanthus bromelioides)
This rosette forming Bromeliad from Brazil is one of the easiest to grow. With large leaves of brownish-burgundy and irregular pink stripes down the centre, it’s a great choice for closed terrariums. Should be planted in a potting mix containing sphagnum moss or peat.
7. Flame Violet (Episcia dianthiflora)
A trailing relative of the African Violet. Requires constant warmth and humidity and should be planted in a porous, peaty potting mix.
8. Friendship Plant ‘Moon Valley’ (Pilea involucrata)
Friendship Plants are known for their unusual deeply textured leaves in striking colours, glided silver or copper. ‘Moon Valley’ is a creeper that forms dense,16-24cm mounds of oval leaves dark-red undersides.
9. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Golden Pothos are a very popular house plant. They’re attractive vines that have smooth, leathery, heart shaped leaves with distinctive marbling alternating along rope-like green stems. Pothos vines are among the top ten air purifying plants for indoor use.
Pothos vines are among the top ten air purifying plants for indoor use.
10. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum raddianum)
So named because the fine leafstalks resemble human hair. Prefers bright light, rich well-draining soil and high humidity. Keep the soil moist, but don’t over mist the leaves because it can encourage mould.
11. Miniature Peperomia (Pilea depressa)
Miniature Peperomias are low growing, creeping plants with pairs of tiny, opposing round leaves on rigid stems that readily root when they contact with the soil. This Pilea prefers lower humidity and drier soil.
12. Moon Valley Friendship Plant (Pilea involucrata)
Moon Valley is cool little plant that grows to about 30cm tall and wide. They have saw-tooth edged, chartreuse leaves with deep texturing.
13. Moses in a Cradle (Rhoeo discolor)
Rosette forming plant with bi-coloured leaves: olive above, purple below.
14. Pin Cushion or Plant (Nertera granadensis)
Also known as the ‘Coral Bead Plant’. A native ground cover with cute orange berries.
15. Nerve Plant (Fittonia verchaffeltii)
This tropical plant has distinctively patterned leaves in pink, burgundy and green with white veins. It thrives under the moist, warm air of a terrarium and will only reach 30cm when mature.
16. Pink Polka Dot (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
An ornamental plant with green leaves and white to red spots. Grows best in a humid environment.
Read more: How to style a small balcony
Moderate or dappled light loving plants
17. Aluminum Plant (Pilea cadierei)
These are fast growing, easy to care for plants that branch freely and grow 30-40cm tall. Their fleshy green leaves are accented with bold bands of metallic silver.
18. Arrowhead Vine (Syngonium podophyllum)
Syngoniums are fast growing vines that grow to about 1m. Choose from green, copper, and variegated varieties.
19. Artillery Plant (Pilea microphylla)
The Artillery Plant forms an umbrella-like canopy of tiny, bright green leaves on fleshy, 12-24cm stems. Excellent plant for terrarium environments.
20. Asparagus or Emerald Fern (Protasparagus setaceus)
The lacy, delicate fronds make them a striking addition to any terrarium. Their vines can be kept to a compact size by regularly removing the tips from new growth. Just don’t plant outdoors as it’s considered a weed in some states.
21. Baby Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
Excellent, moss-like ground cover plant for open terrariums. Soil is best kept constantly moist but water on the tiny foliage should be avoided. Can be propagated by division.
22. Begonia Rex (Begonia rex-cultorum)
Known for the beautiful painted patterns on the foliage. Needs indirect light, higher humidity, and peaty soil. Water on foliage should be avoided.
23. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
A tropical, epiphytic fern that colonises trees or rock faces in nature. Requires warmth, high humidity, moderate light and rich, well draining soil.
24. Black Mondo Grass
This grass sends up shoots of strappy leaves that turn from green to black, with delicate flowers appearing in spring. Works best for larger terrariums.
25. Emerald Ripple Peperomia (Peperomia caperata)
Mounding 24cm plant with deeply corrugated, heart shaped leaves.
Read more: How to decorate with indoor plants
Low light loving plants
26. Golden Club Moss (Lycopodium clavatum)
Club Mosses prefers cooler temperatures, low to moderate light, good air circulation and moist, rich soil.
27. Heart Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens)
This climbing plant has dark green, heart-shaped leaves. It prefers to be kept slightly rootbound in rich, moist soil.
28. Prayer Plant (Maranta leucoreura)
A stunning plant with green variegated leaves which lie flat by day and fold up erect in the evening – hence the name. Prefers high humidity and well drained, slightly peaty soil.
29. Purple Passion Plant (Gynura aurantiaca)
It’s known for its finely serrated green leaves, densely covered with purple hairs. The leaf undersides are also hairy, giving the whole plant an iridescent, velvety sheen. Prefers bright light but should be protected from full sun.
30. Rosary Vine (Ceropegia woodii)
Also known as the ‘Chain of Hearts’, this succulent vine has attractive green heart-shaped leaves, while the slender flowers resemble a small pink vase.
31. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Super easy to grow and propagate. Needs evenly moist soil, prefers cooler temperatures.
32. Starfish Plant (Cryptanthus bivittatus)
A member of the Bromeliad family, the strap-like leaves glow with iridescent stripes, which range from red to maroon, white, and deep green. It only reaches 12cm which is great for a terrarium.
33. Strawberry Begonia (Saxifraga stolonifera)
This popular, indoor plant has burgundy stalks and strawberry-shaped leaves. It’s easily propagated from cuttings and prefers rich soil.
34. Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus australis)
Swedish Ivy is a fast growing, spreading, evergreen perennial. They have slightly rounded, waxy, glossy green leaves with scalloped edges and produce pink, lilac or white flowers.
35. Tahitian Bridal Veil (Gibasis geniculata0)
Creeping or hanging plant, native to Jamaica. Prefers bright indirect light, high humidity and moderately rich, well draining soil.
36. Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia)
These tropical plants generally have thick stems and fleshy, variegated leaves, grows to 24cm.
37. Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa)
Zebra Plants are extremely showy evergreen plants with pairs of shiny, 12-18cm lance shaped green leaves, boldly variegated with cream, white or silvery striped veins.
Remember, it’s best to combine plants that have similar temperature, light and water requirements so that they’ll all live happily together.
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Verry good !
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