Top Choices for Terrarium Plants for Newcomers (Experts' Recommendations)
Discovering Marvelous Mini Terrarium Treasures
Hey there, fellow plant enthusiasts! Today we're diving into the captivating world of mini terrariums and the delightful plants that make them shine. We've spent years cultivating these tiny tropical sanctuaries, and now we're ready to share our secrets with you. Let's get started!
First things first, how do we pick the perfect plants for our terrariums?
When perusing the extensive range of suitable plants, it's crucial to focus on the range of closed terrarium plants. These are the ones that bask in humidity, moisture, warmth, and indirect sunlight. But not all tropical plants will fit like a glove, so we've made some painful mistakes to help you along the way!
The key components of a successful closed terrarium plant are:
- Compact size: Given the limited space, smaller plants and miniature varieties are the way to go.
- Easy maintenance: As any plant parent knows, some plants are easier to care for than others, and we love the low-maintenance kinds.
- Adaptability: Being tolerant of different moisture levels and low light is incredibly helpful in a closed terrarium.
So, let's delve into the hidden gems that make our list of must-have plants for your terrarium sanctuary.
Top Terrarium Plants
- Fittonia (Nerve Plant)
Let's kick things off with the undeniably charming Fittonia. These plants steal the show with their striking, contrasting venation and luminous colors. They're fantastic for beginners, thanks to their easy care and ability to communicate their needs—they literally faint (and revive themselves) when thirsty!
- Syngonium
Moving on to the unsung heroes of terrariums, the Syngonium. These beauties have bold colors, unique leaf shapes, and remarkable variegation. They're often overlooked on terrarium plant lists, but trust us—they deserve the spotlight. From the 'Neon Robusta' in pretty pink hues to the blood-red 'Llano Carti Road,' there's a Syngonium for everyone!
- Pilea
Next up, the versatile Pilea. These plants are easy-to-care-for wonders that fit into two functional categories: as a large feature plant, or as a dainty accent plant added for texture. Some popular Pilea include the Friendship Plant, Moon Valley Pilea, and Aluminum Plant for the main event, or the Silver Sparkle and Baby Tears for a finishing touch.
- Lemon Button Fern
Ferns are almost universally great terrarium plants, and the Lemon Button Fern is a standout due to its versatility and cooperation in terrarium environments. This fabulous fern can be divided into short strands of fronds, providing an excellent vertical element.
- Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)
This plant is a true delight, arguably the easiest terrarium plant out there. In a humid environment, all you need to do is drop a cutting or two, and the creeping fig does the rest, growing adorably fast.
- Peperomia
The entire Peperomia genus is a terrarium dream, with countless species loving humidity and indirect light. From vines such as 'Pepperspot' (String of Coins), 'String of Turtles,' and 'Trailing Jade,' to larger glossy-leaved varieties like 'Mini Rubber Plant' and 'Ginny,' there's a Peperomia for every terrarium.
- Selaginella/Clubmoss/Spikemoss
Want something unique for your terrarium? Look no further than Selaginella. With a somewhat peculiar appearance, these plants can disguise themselves as mosses or ferns. They behave like carpeting mosses, creating a dense mat as they grow, and like ferns, they're spore-producing. Try the Gold Clubmoss for a stunning, lush ground cover, or the Peacock Fern for a splash of iridescent blue.
- Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
Almost identical to the Fittonia but with spots instead of veins, the Polka Dot Plant can add a splash of color with brilliant hues of red, white, pink, and green leaves. Remarkably easy to care for in a terrarium, this plant thrives in warm, moist environments.
- Moss
Moss is a no-brainer for terrariums. All it needs is a moist, humid environment (with good indirect light) to thrive. Just keep it moist, and you'll be rewarded with lush, vibrant foliage. Choose between sheet moss, like Hypnum Moss, or clumpy moss, like Cushion Moss, depending on whether you prefer a ready-made carpet or a more challenging placement.
Plants for Terrarium Newbies to Avoid
Though many intriguing plants can call a terrarium home, some are better left to the experts. These include plants that require airflow like Prayer Plants, Jewel Orchids, Air Plants, and Carnivorous plants, as well as cacti, succulents, such as a jade plant, and other arid plants.
So, there you have it—our top picks for the most graceful and dependable plants to adorn your terrarium sanctuary. Happy planting!
For the endeavor of cultivating terrariums, home-and-garden enthusiasts must consider compact, low-maintenance plants that thrive in humidity and indirect light, such as the Fittonia (Nerve Plant), Syngonium, Pilea, Lemon Button Fern, Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila), Peperomia, Selaginella, Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya), and moss. As newcomers to terrarium gardening, it's best to steer clear of plants that require airflow or specific conditions, like cacti, succulents, or Prayer Plants.
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