HouseplantsDiscover the right indoor plants for your home.
Photo by qnula / Shutterstock .
There ’s something magical about terrariums . These all - in - one ecosystems mime nature on a small scale , allowing you to use unlike houseplant and decorative elements to dream up your own mini fantasy land .
Although you could corrupt terrarium kits , complete with a glass vessel and assortment of terrarium - well-disposed plants , it ’s a lot more fun to create your own . make a terrarium is n’t backbreaking ( seeHow to Make a Terrarium ) and can be a very rewarding project that offer dateless possibilities for personalization . Depending on your choice of works and the type of container , you could create everything from a tiny rainforest or woodland dell to a sandy desert or rocky coastline .
TERRARIUM TYPES: OPEN VS CLOSED
Terrariums can be open ( which means they do n’t have a lid ) or closed by a lid , cork or other covert to produce a certain environment . Each type offer pros and cons . The choice often depends on the types of plants you want to produce and the elbow grease you desire to put into maintaining them .
Closed terrariumsare ideal for humidity - loving plants that are hard to grow in the wry air of a typical home , such as ferns , mosses , and tropical plants . When their leaf give off water vapor , it condenses inside the glass enclosure and runs back down to wash the roots . Although plants grow in a closed terrarium will need minimal lachrymation , supererogatory wet condensation on the glass might fog the opinion and create an overly humid environment that can encourage mold and mildew growth .
undecided terrariums , on the other hand , are best suited for plants that favour depleted humidness and more ventilation system , like succulents , cacti , and air plant . The opened design allows for easier admission to your plant , but they will take more frequent watering , since there ’s no cover to hold moisture .
mention that both type of terrarium are easy to care for and do n’t involve a greenish quarter round for success . Other than casual watering and trim , your terrarium planting will basically tend to themselves .
BEST TERRARIUM PLANTS FOR CLOSED CONTAINERS
connection News ™ World Views ™ nerve plant . Photo by Proven Winners .
NERVE PLANT ( Fittonia albivenis )
Exposure : Bright indirect lightHumidity : HighSize:3 to 8 inches tallVarieties to try : internet News ™ seriesfrom Proven winner
know for its spectacular vein leaves , Fittoniais a top choice for terrarium because it ’s small and tidy while adding a bluff pa of color . Most face works have dark - green leaves beautify with contrast veins in pinkish or white , but you’re able to also find varieties with birdlime - gullible , pinkish , or whitened leave of absence and veins in colors ranging from deep red to purple . find out nerve plants .
envision : connection News ™ World Views ™ boldness plantfrom Proven Winners .
Hippo ® Rose polka dot plant . Photo by Proven Winners .
POLKA pane industrial plant ( Hypoestes phyllostachya )
Exposure : Bright collateral lightHumidity : Moderate to highSize:6 to 18 inch tallVarieties to try : Confetti Compact Rose , Hippo ® seriesfrom Proven Winners
Also known as freckle face , the parting of this charming foliage plant sport pollyannaish red , white , or pinkish dapple , making it an eye - catching accent plant in terrarium design . Although most polka dot plants remain under 12 inches magniloquent , tall varieties may ask to be pinch back if they begin to overpower their container . Learn polka dot plants .
project : Hippo ® Rose polka dot plantfrom Proven Winners .
Living Lace ® Cute as a Button ™ button fern . exposure by Proven Winners .
FERNS ( Various )
Exposure : Low to restrained indirect lightHumidity : HighSize:4 to 12 inches tall ( for compact varieties)Varieties to try : gamboge button fern ( Nephrolepis cordifolia ) , pump fern ( Hemionitis arifolia ) , ‘ downy Ruffles ’ ( Nephrolepis exaltata ) , dwarf maidenhair fern ( Adiantum microphyllum )
fern add lacy , refined texture to terrariums and are particularly well - suit for an wrap environment because they thrive in high humidity . In improver to the ceremonious feather - corresponding fronds , you may also detect ferns with singular heart- , button- , or sports fan - work leaves . See moretypes of indoor ferns .
Pictured : Living Lace ® Cute as a Button ™ push fernfrom Proven Winners .
Falling Arrows ® Ruby Reign ™ arrowhead vine . Photo by Proven Winners .
ARROWHEAD VINE ( Syngonium podophyllum )
Exposure : lowly to restrained indirect lightHumidity : restrained to highSize : Up to 12 column inch tallVarieties to try:‘Mini Pixie’,Falling Arrows ® Ruby Reign ™ (pictured )
Named for the distinct conformation of its leave , arrowhead vine offer a wide array of exotic foliation blueprint and colors , puddle it idealistic for giving terrariums a tropical vibe . To maintain a manageable sizing and encourage shaggy ontogenesis , crop off any unwanted stems or leggy increase just above a leaf leaf node . See more onhow to grow arrowhead vines .
Asparagus fern . Photo by Young Swee Ming / Shutterstock .
ASPARAGUS FERN ( Asparagus sprengeri )
Exposure : Bright indirect lightHumidity : temperate to highSize:2 feet tall ( for midget types)Varieties to try:‘Sprengeri Compacta ’ , ‘ Nana ’
With their feathery needle - comparable leave of absence , asparagus ferns add wonderful textural interest group to terrarium plantings and counterpoint attractively with broad - leafed foliage plants . Although they are n’t true fern , they have similar piss and humidness needs and thrive in the greenhouse - like weather condition of a closed terrarium . Just be cognizant that these quick growers may need regular pruning to keep them in check .
Bold Belles ™ mottled Morning ™ angel wing begonia . Photo by Proven Winners .
ANGEL WING BEGONIA ( Begonia maculata )
Exposure : Bright collateral lightHumidity : temperate to highSize:8 to 14 inches tallVarieties to try : Bold Belles ™ mottled Morning ™ (pictured )
Also known as polka dot begonia , this striking plant life is a great choice for terrarium due to its compact size , attractive foliage , and penchant for gamey humidness . Perched atop bamboo - alike stems , the dark immature wing - shape leaves are adorned by silvery spot and showy crimson bottom . To maintain a compact , lush appearing , prune regularly to remove leggy maturation . Learn more onhow to maturate and care for begonias .
Baby charge works . photograph by Melica / Shutterstock .
BABY TEARS ( Soleirolia soleirolii )
Exposure : Bright indirect lightHumidity : HighSize:3 to 6 inch tall
A terrarium favorite , this charming earth cover dumbly blanket the soil to create a lush green carpeting of tiny , round gullible leaves . Because of its mouse nature , baby binge may need casual pruning to keep it in bounds . you may also apply cosmetic stones or other barriers to help hold its facing pages .
Moss in terrarium . Photo by juangonzalez / Shutterstock .
MOSS ( Various )
vulnerability : Low to bright indirect lightHumidity : HighSize:1 to 4 column inch tallVarieties to try : Feather moss ( Ptilium crista - castrensis ) , hotshot moss ( Tortula ruralis ) , fern moss ( Thuidium delicatulum )
Several types of moss run well in terrariums , each offering unique textures and visual solicitation , rate from soft and feathery to fern - similar . Not only is moss an easy - care ground cover charge , it also helps keep humidity levels and filter out toxins . See moretypes of moss .
savoury Delights ™ Salt and Pepper ™ peperomia . Photo by Proven Winners .
PEPEROMIA ( Peperomiaspp . )
Exposure : Bright indirect lightHumidity : Moderate to highSize:6 to 12 inches tallVarieties to try : Savory Delights ™ seriesfrom Proven Winners , Citrullus vulgaris peperomia ( P. argyreia ) , ‘ Red Ripple ’ ( P. caperata )
Few houseplants offer as many options in foliation color , material body , size , and grain than peperomia . Some have glossy succulent - same leaf while others have profoundly crinkle heart - shaped leaf , in colors ranging from green to variegated to purple - tone . Because there are so many types of peperomia , you may create a colorful , easy - caution terrarium with these plant alone , using cower type to create a ground covering essence and upright type as focal distributor point . Learn peperomia plant .
Pictured : Savory Delights ™ Salt and Pepper ™ peperomiafrom Proven Winners .
BEST TERRARIUM PLANTS FOR OPEN CONTAINERS
Tillandsia . pic by Josefa Calzado / Shutterstock .
AIR PLANT ( Tillandsia )
vulnerability : smart collateral lightHumidity : temperate to highSize:1 to 12 inch grandiloquent , depending on the species
Air plants have the alone ability to fly high without ground and instead absorb most of the moisture and nutrients they need from the gentle wind . That gives you the ability to create a soilless terrarium display using an miscellanea of melodic line plant alone , along with decorative elements such as colored Stone , pebbles or a bit of driftwood . To keep your gentle wind industrial plant hydrated , simply hook them in water for about 20 minutes once a workweek or use a atomiser feeding bottle to fog them with water . Learn air travel plants .
Baby jade plant . picture by Proven Winners .
MINI JADE PLANT ( Crassula ovata’Minima ' )
Exposure : Prefers bright collateral light , but can tolerate some direct sunHumidity : Low to moderateSize:9 to 24 inch magniloquent
Also get it on as dwarf or baby jadestone plant , this slow - growing succulent has a dense , mound habit and can even be rationalise bonsai - style to create a lovely miniature tree for your terrarium exhibit . When give enough light , the heavy lime tree - green leave become tinged with pretty burgundy highlight . But to keep the foliage vibrant without the risk of sunburn , quash excessive pic to direct sun . see jade plants .
String of Pearls works . photograph by Proven Winners .
twine OF PEARLS ( Senecio rowleyanus )
vulnerability : Bright indirect lightHumidity : AverageSize:2 to 3 feet in length
Because opened terrariums have no hat , they are the gross watercraft for a variety of trailing plants , such as string of bone . This unique succulent ’s spherical leaves resemble gullible peas and , like pearls , are strung on long , get behind stems that can be leave to cascade from the terrarium opening . Other eye - catching tracking plants for open terrarium include drawstring of hearts and burro ’s tail . ( See them allhere . )
Cacti terrarium . photograph by Anne Bee / Shutterstock .
CACTI ( Various )
Exposure : brilliant light ; can tolerate unmediated sunHumidity : LowSize : Varies , depending on speciesVarieties to try : Rainbow pincushion ( Mammillaria rhodantha ) , peanut cactus ( Echinopsis chamaecereus ) , thimble cactus ( Mammillaria gracilis )
Virtually maintenance - free , cacti need little more than very bright light and a bit of water every few weeks to thrive . Most species also grow very slowly , so even larger varieties are unlikely to outgrow their home cursorily . Keep in mind that cacti ca n’t bear a damp , humid environs so verify your terrarium has a tumid opening and effective airflow to keep your plant healthy . Also use a coarse , well - draining cactus or succulent intermixture to keep miry filth .
' Lola ' echeveria . Photo by pticelov / Shutterstock .
ECHEVERIA ( Echeveriaspp . and hybrids )
Exposure : Bright indirect lighter , but can tolerate some verbatim sunHumidity : LowSize:2 to 4 inches tall , up to 12 inch in diameterVarieties to try:‘Lola ’ ( pictured ) , ‘ Black Prince ’ , ‘ Doris Taylor ’ ( also known as woolly arise because of its unique hazy leaves )
Easily recognized by their symmetric rosettes of plump , fleshy leaves , Echeveriaare similar in appearance tohen and chicks(Sempervivum ) , but descend in a encompassing regalia of colors and forms , include variety with spoon - work or rippled foliage . They also thrive in hot , teetotal shape , lay down them skilful companions to cacti in open terrarium musical arrangement . See morevarieties of echeveria .
Zebra haworthia . Photo by elegeyda / Shutterstock .
ZEBRA HAWORTHIA ( Haworthia attenuata )
pic : shining indirect lightHumidity : ModerateSize:3 to 5 inches tall
Cute and stocky , this tardily - growing succulent forms attractive stem canker of overweight green leaves stress by bands of pebbly white speckle . Like cacti , it want minimum watering , but avoid placing in direct sun . Prolonged exposure to intense midday sun can scorch the leaves .
Birds nest serpent works . Photo by suvian / Shutterstock .
SNAKE flora ( Sansevieriaspp . )
Exposure : Low to moderate collateral lightHumidity : Tolerates a broad range of humidness levelsSize:4 to 12 inches grandiloquent ( for compact species)Varieties to try:‘Twisted Sister ' ( S. trifasciata ) , bird ’s nest sansevieria ( S. trifasciata’Hahnii ' ) , ' Samurai Dwarf ' ( S. ehrenbergii )
Tough and forgiving , snake flora seems to thrive on neglect , making it the ultimate low - maintenance terrarium industrial plant . Although someSansevieriacan develop to be quite grandiloquent , there are several dwarf varieties that stay skillful and compact , making them a perfect fit for small- to average - sized terrariums . See more onhow to grow snake plant .
WHAT IS THE BEST SIZE FOR TERRARIUM PLANTS?
When choose a sizing for your terrarium industrial plant , the goal is to make a balanced , visually appeal show by selecting small plant that wo n’t outgrow the outer space cursorily . Here are a few general guidelines :
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