Part 2 in our series on making a terrarium. Find out how to choose the perfect terrarium plants. Find out the characteristics you want to look for in terrarium plants, which includes slow growth and growing well in moisture and humidity.
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We are continuing with our terrarium series, so right now we’re going to talk about and show you some great plants for growing terrariums. It’s not advisable to use just any old plant for a terrarium, even baby plants of certain species, because many plants will get way too big way too quickly, especially in the terrarium environment.
The terrarium environment is very humid for one thing, if you’re growing a humid type of terrarium. This humidity really makes some plants grow quickly, so it’s important that you use miniature plants that are actually going to stay miniature and grow well in your terrarium. Your intent here is to create a really nice scene with pretty little plants that grow slowly so you can enjoy the view. You’re not really doing this so that you can replant in a month—unless you are, go for it—but otherwise, I would suggest using the right type of plants.
I’m going to show you some various species of plants that do really well in terrariums. They thrive in the humid environment and will love terrarium life.
This is spike moss, and I do have a video on this plant and how to grow it. Spike moss grows very slowly and absolutely loves the humidity in the terrarium, making it a really good choice.
Today, I’m talking about plants for humid terrariums. For your standard terrarium, which would be a humid environment, you can use a succulent terrarium; however, I am not going to be discussing that today. I will cover some succulent terrariums in future videos.
So, we talked about spike moss. This is a peperomia, a standard-sized variety, so you would not want to use a standard-sized peperomia, but they do have miniature varieties. This particular plant grows very slowly, making it a good choice for terrariums when in the miniature form.
Next, we have mini African violets, which are lovely little plants. This one I will most likely be planting today in one of the terrariums I’m going to make here, so that is a really good choice for terrariums as they also like humid conditions.
This is a juncus, which is actually a grass, even though it looks somewhat like a succulent. The juncus also does very well in terrariums, provided it receives plenty of light. This type of terrarium would need to be kept near full-spectrum lighting if you want to use this plant. You can see all the possibilities with this one; I actually like to use it in mermaid gardens because it has that underwater look of sea grass.
We also have these lovely pink polka dot plants, which come in a ruby red or burgundy color. This one features a combination of white and green. This plant is very festive, especially if you celebrate holidays in December. I’m considering using this for a terrarium I’m going to make, but I’ll decide that in the next video. There are plenty of options with these mini pink polka dot plants, which are part of the Hypoestes genus.
Here, we have cyclamen. I have a video on growing them as well as a Plant Stories video. Cyclamen really look nice in terrariums; however, of all the plants here, these are a little bit more short-lived for your terrarium. You could use them in a holiday-themed terrarium, but they will eventually die back, and you will need to replace them. They are miniature and grow slowly, so they work well, but they are a bit more of a temporary option unless you want to plant them, bury the pots into the soil, and replant another plant in their place later.
Another really good option is these pepper plants, which are very festive and ornamental. They will keep their peppers for a long time, and if you give the plant good lighting, it will continue to produce fruit for quite a while. However, they are a little more temporary than some of the others, so you will generally have to replace them over time. With your terrarium plants, expect that at some point you will need to replace them, but if you’ve set up a really nice terrarium, you can often just replace a plant or two as necessary.
These are some good choices for planting in your terrarium, and next up, we’ll be choosing the plants based on the type of terrarium you have.
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FAQ about Terrarium Plants
What types of plants are best for terrariums?
For terrariums, it’s important to use miniature plants that will stay small and thrive in the humid environment. Some great options include spike moss, miniature African violets, juncus, pink polka dot plants, cyclamen, and ornamental pepper plants.
Why can’t I use any old plant for a terrarium?
Many plants can grow too large too quickly in a terrarium environment due to the high humidity. It’s essential to choose plants that are suited for this environment and will not outgrow the space.
How does humidity affect plant growth in terrariums?
The humid environment in terrariums encourages certain plants to grow quickly. Therefore, selecting slow-growing miniature varieties ensures that the terrarium remains aesthetically pleasing over time.
Are succulents suitable for humid terrariums?
While you can create a succulent terrarium, they are not discussed in detail in this video. Future content will cover succulent options for terrariums.
Can I use cyclamen in my terrarium?
Cyclamen can look lovely in terrariums, but they are more short-lived compared to other plants. They are best used in a temporary setup, such as a holiday-themed terrarium.
How often should I replace plants in my terrarium?
Over time, terrarium plants may need to be replaced as they can become rangy or outgrow their space. It’s best to plan for occasional replacements to maintain the terrarium’s appearance.
What should I do if a plant in my terrarium dies?
If a plant dies, you can often replace it without needing to redo the entire terrarium. Just remove the dead plant and replace it with a new one that fits the same growing conditions.
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