Top 10 Terrarium Plants: A Guide to Creating Your Indoor Miniature Garden

Terrariums, the charming microcosms enclosed in a glass jar, offer a unique way to cultivate plants indoors. These self-sustaining ecosystems are perfect for showcasing nature’s beauty in a confined space. This article explores the best plants for terrariums and provides tips on design, care, and maintenance, considering factors like humidity, light requirements, and plant characteristics.

1. Ferns (Maidenhair Fern, Boston Fern, Button Fern) and

• Best for: Humid, closed terrariums

• Characteristics: Lush, feathery fronds that add softness and greenery

• Care Tips: Keep soil moist and avoid direct sunlight

Ferns, with their lush, feathery fronds, are a staple in humid, closed terrariums. Their delicate texture and vibrant green foliage create a soft, natural look while contributing to the overall moisture balance within the enclosed environment. Thriving in consistently moist soil and indirect light, ferns make an excellent choice for adding movement and depth to a terrarium.

In this terrarium, ferns are beautifully incorporated alongside moss and natural rock elements, creating a miniature woodland-inspired landscape. The tall, arching fronds provide vertical structure, making them an ideal backdrop for smaller plants or ground cover. The addition of moss enhances the composition, offering a rich, carpet-like layer that retains moisture and complements the ferns’ delicate foliage. The rocks introduce contrast, breaking up the greenery and adding a naturalistic, rugged touch to the arrangement.

This design demonstrates how ferns can be paired with mosses, small tropical plants, and natural hardscape elements to create a well-balanced, visually appealing terrarium that mimics a thriving forest ecosystem.

2. Mosses (Sheet Moss, Mood Moss, Sphagnum Moss)

Best for: Both open and closed terrariums

Characteristics: Soft, carpet-like texture that mimics a forest floor

Care Tips: Keep consistently moist but not waterlogged

Moss, with its soft, carpet-like texture, serves as a perfect ground cover for both open and closed terrariums, mimicking the lush greenery of a forest floor. It retains moisture effectively, helping to maintain humidity levels while creating a visually rich, natural base for other plants.

In the terrarium featured above, moss plays a vital role in establishing a thriving micro-ecosystem. Encircling the central bonsai plant, the dense green moss creates a soft, cushiony foundation that enhances the overall aesthetic. Its moisture-retaining properties support the enclosed environment, ensuring consistent humidity levels while reducing the need for frequent watering. The contrast between the structured form of the tree and the organic sprawl of the moss adds a dynamic yet harmonious balance to the arrangement, making it both visually striking and functionally sustainable.

3. Air Plants (Tillandsia Ionantha, Tillandsia Caput-Medusae)

Best for: Open terrariums

Characteristics: No soil required, absorbs moisture from the air

Care Tips: Mist regularly and allow to dry between waterings

Featured in the image is a collection of Tillandsia, commonly known as air plants, which are a delightful addition to any terrarium. These versatile plants do not require soil, absorbing moisture and nutrients through their leaves, making them perfect for a minimalist or contemporary terrarium.

4. Succulents (Echeveria, Haworthia, Jade Plant)

Best for: Open, dry terrariums

Characteristics: Thick, fleshy leaves that store water

Care Tips: Provide bright light and minimal watering

Succulents, such as Echeveria, Haworthia, and Jade plants, are excellent choices for open, dry terrariums. Their thick, fleshy leaves store water efficiently, allowing them to thrive in low-maintenance environments with minimal watering. These plants come in a variety of shapes, colours, and textures, making them versatile for terrarium design.
To create a balanced terrarium with succulents, consider pairing them with other drought-tolerant plants, such as miniature cacti or air plants (Tillandsia). The structural contrast between the smooth, rounded leaves of succulents and the spiky forms of cacti can add visual interest, while air plants introduce an airy, delicate touch to the arrangement. Additionally, incorporating decorative sand, pebbles, or driftwood can help mimic the arid conditions these plants naturally prefer, enhancing both aesthetics and function.

5. Cacti (Miniature Cacti Varieties)

Best for: Open terrariums and desert-themed setups

Characteristics: Drought-tolerant, unique shapes, and spiny textures

Care Tips: Use well-draining soil and water sparingly

These cacti are excellent for an open terrarium, allowing for ample airflow and a drier atmosphere. For an open terrarium or a desert-themed glass garden, these cacti would be perfect. Each one has its own unique shape, size, and spine pattern, making them interesting subjects to view up close. A common characteristic of cacti is their ability to store water in their fleshy tissues, allowing them to survive in arid conditions. This adaptation also means they require minimal watering, which should be done sparingly to mimic their natural desert habitat.

When cultivating these cacti in an open terrarium, ensure they receive plenty of sunlight and have soil that drains well to prevent root rot. A mix of potting soil, sand, and perlite or pumice makes for a suitable growing medium. Cacti also benefit from a rest period during winter, where watering is reduced to a bare minimum.

6. Creeping Plants (Creeping Fig, Baby Tears, Ivy)

Best for: Both open and closed terrariums

Characteristics: Adds height and texture with trailing vines

Care Tips: Trim regularly to maintain shape

Baby Tears, also known as Irish Moss, is a popular choice for terrariums due to its ability to create a lush, forest-floor effect. This plant’s delicate trailing nature makes it perfect for softening hardscapes, covering soil, or filling gaps between larger terrarium plants.

In closed terrariums, Baby Tears thrives in the humid, self-sustaining environment, forming a dense, green carpet that helps retain moisture and maintain healthy air circulation. In open terrariums, it may require more frequent watering to prevent drying out.

This plant pairs beautifully with ferns, Fittonia (Nerve Plants), and mosses, making it an excellent ground cover or accent plant in terrarium compositions.

7. Peperomia (Peperomia Obtusifolia, Peperomia Caperata)

Best for: Closed terrariums

Characteristics: Compact size with textured leaves in various colours

Care Tips: Prefers indirect light and moderate humidity

Peperomia Prostrata, commonly known as String of Turtles, is a trailing variety of Peperomia with small, round, patterned leaves resembling tiny turtle shells. This unique plant is well-suited for terrariums, especially when draped over mossy surfaces or placed in a hanging or cascading position to add depth to the arrangement.

In closed terrariums, String of Turtles thrives in high humidity with moderate indirect light, making it an excellent choice for adding texture and visual interest. Its slow growth and compact size ensure that it doesn’t overwhelm other plants, making it an ideal companion for ferns, moss, and other tropical species.

8. Miniature Orchids

Best for: Humid, closed terrariums, though they can also adapt to open terrariums with proper care.

Characteristics: Elegant flowers with delicate, structured foliage

Care Tips: Keep humidity high and provide good air circulation

This terrarium beautifully showcases a miniature orchid as the focal point, planted in a glass container with carefully layered substrate. The base consists of decorative pebbles for drainage, followed by soil and moss to maintain moisture. Surrounding the orchid, creeping plants and Fittonia (nerve plant) add texture and contrast with their vibrant green and red foliage. This setup creates a lush, self-sustaining environment, ideal for maintaining the high humidity levels that orchids thrive in.

9. Fittonia (Nerve Plant)

Best for: Closed terrariums

Characteristics: Vibrant veined leaves in red, pink, green, and white

Care Tips: Needs high humidity, indirect light, and consistently moist soil

Fittonia, commonly known as Nerve Plant, is a standout choice for closed terrariums due to its vibrant veined leaves and love for humidity. With striking patterns in shades of red, pink, green, and white, these plants add a dynamic, colourful touch to any terrarium setup.

Varieties of Nerve Plants and Their Uses in Terrariums

Different Fittonia varieties bring unique aesthetics, making them ideal for terrarium arrangements. Their low-growing, spreading nature helps create a lush, carpet-like effect that complements taller plants like ferns or orchids.

In closed terrariums, Fittonia thrives under humid conditions, making it a perfect companion for mosses and miniature tropical plants. The image showcases how Nerve Plants have been beautifully incorporated into a self-sustaining terrarium:

This carefully layered design features Fittonia paired with moss and other tropical greenery, creating a balanced microclimate. The sealed glass jar helps maintain moisture levels, reducing the need for frequent watering while allowing Fittonia’s vibrant foliage to flourish.

Whether used as a ground cover, a focal point, or an accent plant, Nerve Plants enhance the overall look of a terrarium with their bold patterns and delicate texture.

10. Asparagus Fern

Best for: Closed terrariums

Characteristics: Delicate, feathery foliage that thrives in high humidity

Care Tips: Keep soil consistently moist and provide indirect light

Asparagus Fern in Terrariums

Asparagus Fern is a delicate yet hardy plant that thrives in the high-humidity environment of a closed terrarium. With its feathery, arching foliage, it adds an elegant, airy texture to terrarium designs. Despite its name, this plant is not a true fern but shares similar moisture-loving characteristics.

Varieties and Uses in Terrariums

In a sealed glass terrarium, the Asparagus Fern helps maintain a natural ecosystem by balancing moisture levels and complementing other tropical plants. Below is an example of how this plant has been beautifully integrated into a lush terrarium setup:

The Asparagus Setaceus, commonly used in terrariums, grows well in indirect light and moist soil. Its light, wispy fronds create a soft, layered look, making it a perfect background plant or companion to bolder terrarium species.

In a sealed glass terrarium, the Asparagus Fern helps maintain a natural ecosystem by balancing moisture levels and complementing other tropical plants. Below is an example of how this plant has been beautifully integrated into a lush terrarium setup:

This arrangement features Asparagus Fern paired with moss and broad-leaf tropical plants, creating a balanced, self-sustaining environment. The glass jar with a cork lid ensures stable humidity, allowing the fern’s delicate foliage to thrive with minimal maintenance.

Whether used as a soft textural element, a trailing feature, or a backdrop, the Asparagus Fern is a fantastic addition to terrariums, bringing an effortless natural aesthetic to any indoor garden.

Design Principles for Terrarium Plants Arrangement

• Layering: Create visual interest by arranging plants in layers.
• Colour and Texture: Combine plants with different colours and textures.
• Focal Points: Use exotic or colourful plants as focal points.
• Scale and Proportion: Choose dwarf varieties to prevent overcrowding.

Benefits of Terrariums

• Aesthetic Appeal: Add a unique, natural beauty to indoor spaces.
• Air Purification: Some plants help purify the air.
• Educational Value: Teach about ecosystems and plant care.
• Therapeutic Benefits: Caring for a terrarium can be relaxing and stress-reducing.

Common Challenges and Solutions

• Overwatering: Ensure proper drainage and avoid excess water.
• Mold Growth: Increase ventilation or reduce watering if mold appears.
• Plant Growth: Regular trimming may be necessary.
• Limited Plant Choices: Select plants suitable for your terrarium’s environment.

Additional Plant Recommendations

• Miniature Orchids: Ideal for humid, closed terrariums.
• Charcoal Plants (Pilea spp.): Absorb excess moisture in closed terrariums.
• Peperomia: Offers various textures and colours.

DIY Tips for Terrarium Setup

• Layering the Base: Start with stones, then charcoal, and soil.
• Placement: Position in a place with ample indirect sunlight.
• Tools: Use long tweezers or tools for arrangement.

Creating a terrarium is a rewarding experience, combining gardening and artistic expression. The plants listed offer a variety of textures, colours, and forms, allowing you to create a truly unique mini-ecosystem. Remember to consider the specific needs of each plant and the type of terrarium you are creating, whether it’s a moist, closed environment or a dry, open one. Terrariums are a blend of art, science, and horticulture, providing endless possibilities for creativity and a cosy connection with nature and a fun, educational activity to enjoy with children.

Let’s make the process a whole lot easier with a Terrarium Kit…

Craft an enchanting mini-world with our all-inclusive moss terrarium kit, complete with four pre-rooted plants ready to thrive!

This elegant semi-enclosed glass terrarium dome adds a distinctive touch of nature to any room, making it an exceptional gift that’s sure to delight. For inspiration, take a glance at our gallery of snapshots!

Included in the starter set:

•   A 5-litre glass terrarium (approximately 26cm in height by 19cm in width and depth) with a natural cork lid
•   A trio of vibrant, live plants
•   A segment of lush button moss
•   A swath of verdant carpet moss
•   LECA clay pebbles to create a foundational drainage layer
•   Sphagnum moss to separate the drainage from the soil above
•   Activated charcoal to filter water and deter mold and mildew growth
•   A rich, well-draining soil mix, tailored for terrarium life
•   A selection of ornamental stones to beautify your setup
•   A comprehensive guide with simple instructions for assembly

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Frequently Asked Questions

What plants are best for a terrarium?

The best plants for a terrarium depend on the type of environment you’re creating. For closed terrariums, humidity-loving plants such as ferns, mosses, Fittonia (nerve plants), and miniature orchids thrive. Open terrariums suit drought-tolerant plants like succulents, air plants (Tillandsia), and miniature cacti.

What not to put in a terrarium?

Avoid plants that require vastly different conditions from the other plants in your terrarium. For example, mixing succulents with moisture-loving ferns can create problems, as their care needs are opposite. Additionally, avoid plants that grow too large or require frequent pruning, and steer clear of plants prone to rapid decay in humid environments.

How do you keep plants alive in a terrarium?

To keep terrarium plants healthy, maintain proper humidity, light, and watering levels. Closed terrariums require indirect light and minimal watering since they retain moisture, while open terrariums need brighter light and occasional misting. Choosing plants with similar care requirements ensures a balanced ecosystem.

How long do terrariums last?

With proper care, terrariums can last for many years. Closed terrariums can become self-sustaining ecosystems, sometimes lasting decades with minimal intervention. Open terrariums require more maintenance but can also thrive long-term if conditions are regularly adjusted to suit the plants’ needs.