HouseplantsDiscover the right indoor plants for your home.
Photo by qnula / Shutterstock .
There ’s something magical about terrarium . These all - in - one ecosystem mimic nature on a small scale , allowing you to utilize different houseplants and cosmetic elements to dream up your own mini fantasy ground .
Although you’re able to buy terrarium kits , complete with a chalk vessel and assortment of terrarium - friendly plant , it ’s a lot more fun to make your own . Building a terrarium is n’t toilsome ( seeHow to Make a Terrarium ) and can be a very rewarding project that offers endless possibility for personalization . calculate on your choice of plants and the type of container , you’re able to produce everything from a tiny rainforest or forest dell to a arenaceous desert or rough coastline .
TERRARIUM TYPES: OPEN VS CLOSED
Terrariums can be clear ( which imply they do n’t have a lid ) or close by a hat , cork or other cover charge to produce a sealed environment . Each character offer pros and cons . The choice often depends on the types of plants you need to grow and the effort you need to put into keep them .
Closed terrariumsare paragon for humidity - loving plants that are hard to develop in the ironic air of a typical home , such as ferns , moss , and tropic plants . When their leaves give off water evaporation , it condenses inside the glass enclosure and runs back down to wash the source . Although plant grow in a closed in terrarium will want minimal watering , excess wet condensation on the glass might obscure the view and create an overly humid environment that can promote molding and mold growth .
Open terrarium , on the other hand , are better become for plants that prefer low humidity and more ventilating system , like succulents , cacti , and air industrial plant . The open design allows for easier access to your plants , but they will take more frequent lacrimation , since there ’s no cover to retain wet .
Note that both types of terrariums are easy to care for and do n’t require a green quarter round for success . Other than casual watering and passementerie , your terrarium plantings will essentially lean to themselves .
BEST TERRARIUM PLANTS FOR CLOSED CONTAINERS
internet News ™ World Views ™ heart industrial plant . picture by Proven Winners .
NERVE works ( Fittonia albivenis )
Exposure : burnished collateral lightHumidity : HighSize:3 to 8 inches tallVarieties to essay : internet News ™ seriesfrom Proven achiever
Known for its prominent vein leaves , Fittoniais a top pick for terrarium because it ’s small and sizable while tote up a bold pop of colouring . Most nerve plant have dark - green leaves adorn with contrasting veins in pinkish or white , but you may also find varieties with lime tree - fleeceable , pink , or snowy leaves and veins in colors rank from bass red to purple . Learn nerve plants .
figure : connection News ™ World Views ™ brass plantfrom Proven Winners .
Hippo ® Rose polka pane plant . picture by Proven Winners .
POLKA DOT works ( Hypoestes phyllostachya )
Exposure : Bright collateral lightHumidity : Moderate to highSize:6 to 18 inch tallVarieties to essay : Confetti Compact Rose , Hippo ® seriesfrom Proven success
Also know as freckle case , the leaves of this charming foliation plant life sport cheerful reddish , white , or pink patch , making it an eye - catching accent plant life in terrarium designs . Although most polka back breaker plant stay under 12 inches grandiloquent , grandiloquent variety may need to be vellicate back if they start to overpower their container . Learn polka dot plants .
Pictured : Hippo ® Rose polka dot plantfrom Proven Winners .
Living Lace ® Cute as a Button ™ push fern . Photo by Proven Winners .
FERNS ( Various )
Exposure : Low to moderate indirect lightHumidity : HighSize:4 to 12 inch tall ( for compact varieties)Varieties to try : Lemon release fern ( Nephrolepis cordifolia ) , heart fern ( Hemionitis arifolia ) , ‘ flossy Ruffles ’ ( Nephrolepis exaltata ) , gnome maidenhair fern fern ( Adiantum microphyllum )
fern add lacy , refined texture to terrarium and are particularly well - suited for an inclose environment because they thrive in gamey humidity . In increase to the established feather - like fronds , you may also find ferns with unique heart- , button- , or fan - forge leave-taking . See moretypes of indoor ferns .
Pictured : Living Lace ® Cute as a Button ™ release fernfrom Proven Winners .
precipitate Arrows ® Ruby Reign ™ arrowhead vine . Photo by Proven Winners .
ARROWHEAD VINE ( Syngonium genus Podophyllum )
Exposure : low-spirited to moderate collateral lightHumidity : Moderate to highSize : Up to 12 column inch tallVarieties to try:‘Mini Pixie’,Falling Arrows ® Ruby Reign ™ (pictured )
nominate for the clear-cut shape of its leaf , arrowhead vine offer a broad raiment of alien leaf form and color , earn it ideal for generate terrariums a tropical vibration . To maintain a manageable size of it and boost bushier growth , prune off any unwanted stems or leggy maturation just above a leafage lymph gland . See more onhow to grow arrowhead vine .
Asparagus fern . Photo by Young Swee Ming / Shutterstock .
ASPARAGUS FERN ( Asparagus sprengeri )
Exposure : Bright indirect lightHumidity : restrained to highSize:2 invertebrate foot grandiloquent ( for dwarf types)Varieties to try:‘Sprengeri Compacta ’ , ‘ Nana ’
With their feathery needle - like leaves , asparagus ferns tot up wonderful textural interest to terrarium planting and contrast beautifully with broad - leafed leafage plant . Although they are n’t dependable ferns , they have exchangeable water and humidity needs and thrive in the greenhouse - like conditions of a closed terrarium . Just be aware that these fast growers may require even pruning to keep them in baulk .
Bold Belles ™ Dappled Morning ™ angel wing begonia . photograph by Proven Winners .
ANGEL WING BEGONIA ( Begonia maculata )
Exposure : Bright collateral lightHumidity : Moderate to highSize:8 to 14 in tallVarieties to try : Bold Belles ™ Dappled Morning ™ (pictured )
Also bang as polka Transportation begonia , this striking plant is a great choice for terrarium due to its compendious sizing , attractive foliage , and preference for high humidity . perch atop bamboo - like stems , the drear green annex - forge leaves are adorned by silvery speckles and showy crimson underside . To maintain a heavyset , lush appearance , crop regularly to slay leggy growth . Learn more onhow to grow and care for begonia .
Baby charge industrial plant . Photo by Melica / Shutterstock .
sister TEARS ( Soleirolia soleirolii )
Exposure : shining indirect lightHumidity : HighSize:3 to 6 inches tall
A terrarium favourite , this wizard ground cover thickly blankets the soil to create a lush unripened rug of tiny , round green folio . Because of its creeping nature , babe tears may necessitate occasional pruning to keep it in bounds . you’re able to also use decorative stone or other barriers to help oneself contain its spread .
Moss in terrarium . pic by juangonzalez / Shutterstock .
MOSS ( Various )
picture : Low to smart collateral lightHumidity : HighSize:1 to 4 in tallVarieties to try : Feather moss ( Ptilium crista - castrensis ) , star moss ( Tortula ruralis ) , fern moss ( Thuidium delicatulum )
Several type of moss work well in terrariums , each offer unique texture and ocular entreaty , range from soft and feathery to fern - corresponding . Not only is moss an light - care ground cover , it also helps maintain humidness levels and filter out toxins . See moretypes of moss .
Savory Delights ™ Salt and Pepper ™ peperomia . picture by Proven Winners .
PEPEROMIA ( Peperomiaspp . )
pic : Bright indirect lightHumidity : Moderate to highSize:6 to 12 inch tallVarieties to try : Savory delectation ™ seriesfrom Proven Winners , Citrullus vulgaris peperomia ( P. argyreia ) , ‘ Red Ripple ’ ( P. caperata )
Few houseplant offer as many options in leafage colour , shape , size , and grain than peperomia . Some have sheeny succulent - like leaf while others have deeply crinkled sum - form foliage , in colors wander from green to variegate to purple - toned . Because there are so many types of peperomia , you could create a colored , easy - care terrarium with these plants alone , using mouse types to make a ground cover effect and just eccentric as focal point . study peperomia plants .
Pictured : Savory Delights ™ Salt and Pepper ™ peperomiafrom Proven Winners .
BEST TERRARIUM PLANTS FOR OPEN CONTAINERS
Tillandsia . pic by Josefa Calzado / Shutterstock .
AIR PLANT ( Tillandsia )
pic : shining collateral lightHumidity : Moderate to highSize:1 to 12 in tall , depending on the species
Air plants have the unique ability to fly high without soil and or else absorb most of the wet and food they need from the airwave . That gives you the power to create a soilless terrarium video display using an compartmentalisation of aviation plants alone , along with decorative elements such as colored stones , pebble or a bit of driftwood . To keep your air plant life hydrated , plainly dowse them in water supply for about 20 minute once a week or employ a spray bottle to mist them with water . Learn aura plants .
Baby strumpet plant . Photo by Proven Winners .
MINI JADE plant life ( Crassula ovata’Minima ' )
Exposure : Prefers bright collateral brightness level , but can abide some direct sunHumidity : abject to moderateSize:9 to 24 inches tall
Also known as dwarf or baby jade plant , this slow - growing succulent has a dense , mound habit and can even be pruned bonsai - style to create a lovely miniature tree for your terrarium display . When hold enough light , the fleshy linden tree - green leaves become tinged with pretty burgundy highlights . But to keep the foliation vibrant without the risk of exposure of erythema solare , forefend excessive exposure to direct sun . Learn loose woman plants .
String of Pearls plant . exposure by Proven Winners .
bowed stringed instrument OF PEARLS ( Senecio rowleyanus )
Exposure : shining indirect lightHumidity : AverageSize:2 to 3 feet in duration
Because capable terrarium have no hat , they are the thoroughgoing vessel for a diversity of trailing plant life , such as string of bone . This singular succulent ’s globose leaves resemble green peas and , like pearls , are strung on long , trailing stem that can be permit to cascade from the terrarium opening night . Other eye - get tracking plants for open terrarium include string of hearts and burro ’s tail . ( See them allhere . )
Cacti terrarium . Photo by Anne Bee / Shutterstock .
CACTI ( Various )
Exposure : Bright light ; can support direct sunHumidity : LowSize : Varies , depending on speciesVarieties to try : Rainbow pincushion ( Mammillaria rhodantha ) , peanut vine cactus ( Echinopsis chamaecereus ) , thimble cactus ( Mammillaria gracilis )
near alimony - free , cacti need little more than very bright light and a bit of weewee every few week to flourish . Most species also grow very slow , so even turgid varieties are unbelievable to outgrow their household quickly . Keep in idea that cacti ca n’t tolerate a moist , humid surround so make certain your terrarium has a large opening and good flow of air to keep your plants sound . Also habituate a coarse , well - draining cactus or succulent mixing to forbid waterlogged soil .
' Lola ' echeveria . picture by pticelov / Shutterstock .
ECHEVERIA ( Echeveriaspp . and loan-blend )
Exposure : Bright indirect lighting , but can tolerate some unmediated sunHumidity : LowSize:2 to 4 inches tall , up to 12 inches in diameterVarieties to try:‘Lola ’ ( project ) , ‘ Black Prince ’ , ‘ Doris Taylor ’ ( also known as woolly rose because of its unique blurred farewell )
Easily accredit by their symmetrical rosette of plump , fleshy farewell , Echeveriaare similar in coming into court tohen and chicks(Sempervivum ) , but add up in a wider array of colors and forms , including motley with spoonful - determine or rippled leafage . They also fly high in hot , dry conditions , make them good fellow traveler to cacti in open terrarium organisation . See morevarieties of echeveria .
Zebra haworthia . pic by elegeyda / Shutterstock .
ZEBRA HAWORTHIA ( Haworthia attenuata )
Exposure : vivid collateral lightHumidity : ModerateSize:3 to 5 in tall
Cute and heavyset , this behind - get succulent forms attractive rosette of fleshy green parting accented by lot of pebbly white spot . Like cacti , it needs minimal lacrimation , but avoid placing in unmediated sun . Prolonged exposure to vivid noon sun can scorch the leaf .
Birds nest snake works . Photo by suvian / Shutterstock .
SNAKE works ( Sansevieriaspp . )
photograph : scurvy to restrained collateral lightHumidity : Tolerates a broad reach of humidity levelsSize:4 to 12 inches marvellous ( for compact species)Varieties to try:‘Twisted Sister ' ( S. trifasciata ) , bird ’s nest sansevieria ( S. trifasciata’Hahnii ' ) , ' Samurai Dwarf ' ( S. ehrenbergii )
Tough and absolvitory , snake plant seems to thrive on neglect , build it the ultimate low - upkeep terrarium industrial plant . Although someSansevieriacan produce to be quite improbable , there are several gnome variety that stay nice and heavyset , make them a thoroughgoing fit for small- to medium - sized terrarium . See more onhow to uprise snake plant .
WHAT IS THE BEST SIZE FOR TERRARIUM PLANTS?
When opt a size for your terrarium plants , the destination is to create a balanced , visually appeal display by select smaller plant life that wo n’t outgrow the infinite quickly . Here are a few general guidelines :
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