Closed terrariums are a fantastic option for bringing the tropics into your home. Little plants that need warm, humid, and low-light conditions can be grown in these closed glass cages. Plants growing in a closed glass container’s ecosystem seem to be self-sufficient. So if you want to take care of small plants in a sealed terrarium, there isn’t much you can do.
What type of plants are suited to a closed terrarium? Ideal for developing in a closed terrarium are these ten plants:
- Polka dot plants
- Miniature ferns and mosses
- Peperomia
- Mini spider plants
- Nerve plants
- Miniature English ivy
- Golden pothos
- Venus flytraps
- Miniature orchids
- Pilea
You may learn more about these and other plants that are suitable for growing in sealed terrariums in this article.
Types of Plants Suited to a Closed Terrarium
Plants that thrive in high humidity and warm temperatures are the best types to grow in a closed terrarium. As a result, succulents and cacti should not be grown since they require drier conditions. Select plants that are appropriate for the glass jar you have in mind, whether it’s tiny or petite.
When it comes to light, humidity, and water, the terrarium plants you choose should have similar care requirements. Because the environment is similar to their natural habitat, little tropical plants are ideal for sealed glass containers.
Evaporation is used to water the small plants in a sealed terrarium. The glass jar’s lid keeps vapor from escaping through the glass. The condensation gathers in the potting mixture and flows back into the glass. Terrarium plants thrive in humid conditions and have a constant supply of moisture.
How to Care for a Closed Terrarium
Keep a terrarium in the shade if possible. The glass should be wet, and there should be moisture on it. Watering terrarium plants is uncommon. Only add little quantities of water at a time if you need to. Leave the container open for a day if the humidity in your glass terrarium is too high.
The Best Plants for a Closed Terrarium
For closed terrariums, here are the best plants. Over 20 plant species suitable for growing in glass containers are included in this list. Pictures of terrarium plants may assist you choose the finest ones, in addition to descriptions and scientific names.
Polka Dot Plants (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
Since they add color, flourish in humidity, and don’t grow tall, polka dot plants are ideal for enclosed terrariums. Variegated leaves with pink, white, or red blotches are found on these tropical plants. You may have to trim the stems of polka dots in order to take care of them.
These tiny colorful plants thrive as perennial in tropical environments. The leaves stay healthy and vibrant thanks to humidity and moist soil. In addition, the plants are kept in check by the lower light of the terrarium. The leaf color of cultivars is suggested by their names. Polka dot plants, such as Pink Splash, Confetti Blush, Camina, and White Splash, brighten up glass terrariums by adding color.
Nerve Plants (Fittonia albivenis)
Seal terrariums with abundant moisture and humidity, and the vivid leaves of nerve plants enliven them. Dark leaves with brilliantly-colored veins characterize these evergreen perennial tropical plants. Nerve plants are ideal for terrariums because they only grow to 6 inches (10 cm) tall and have thick dense foliage. Nerve plants thrive in low-light and need moist conditions, which are ideal for terrariums.
In addition, you may pick terrarium leaf colors to coordinate with other plants. Creamy-white, deep red, pink, or lime-green nerve plants exist. Remember that these terrarium plants are also known as mosaic plants, fittonias, and painted-leaf plants while shopping for them.
Miniature Ferns (Polypodiopsida)
Maidenhair ferns are pictured in the terrarium, which they enjoy since they thrive in low-light, humid, and warm settings. Since they are slow-growing and don’t grow taller than 12″ (30 cm), several fern species are ideal for confined settings. Your terrarium ferns will stay at a controllable size if you prune them on occasion. Ferns that thrive in small terrarium settings may be found here:
Dwarf holly ferns (Cyrtomium falcatum)—This kind of fern is slow-growing and grows only to a height of 12 inches (30 cm). It has light green pinnate leaves that arching from the stems. For a beginner terrarium, this is an ideal specimen.
Lemon Button Fern (Nephrolepis Cordifolia)—Since it thrives in moisture and moist soil, this is another excellent fern for sealed terrariums. Shaded woods are ideal for indoor terrariums, and they prefer them.
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Aethiopicum)—The Maidenhair fern is ideal for terrariums that have high humidity and are kept in a warm room. This little fern has tiny leaves and spreads out as far as it can.
Pilea
Because they need low to medium light, warm temperatures, and moist soil to thrive, Pilea is a genus of tropical plant that grows well in closed terrariums. Pilea plants are also forgiving, and they need little care. Pilea plants are popular for their foliage, much like other terrarium plants such as nerve plants and polka dot plants. This tiny plant can be kept in an enclosed glass container with occasional pruning.
For closed terrariums, some excellent pilea options are as follows:
Aluminum plant (P. cadierei)—The variegated white patterns on this little leafy wonder’s lush green leaves. Since it does not grow longer than 12 inches (30 cm), it is ideal for closed, contained containers and allows for precise trimming.
Friendship plant (P. involucrata)—This pilea, a bushy plant that thrives in humidity, is also excellent for terrariums.
Pilea Baby Tears (Pilea depressa)—This variety of pilea is an excellent option to provide lush foliage for your closed terrarium because of its small leaves, trailing nature, low height, and love for humidity.
Artillery Ferns (P. microphylla)—This is a low-growing tropical plant with succulent stems and leaves that makes a great ground cover. It’s not a fern. It’s ideal for glass terrariums with covers because of its small size.
Peperomia
Because they are compact, have gorgeous foliage, and thrive in warm, humid conditions under glass (terrariums and greenhouses), peperomia plants are a common option for closed terrariums. Peperomia plants come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
As a result, one is virtually guaranteed to exist that is appropriate for your terrarium’s enclosed humid environment. Peperomias that look stunning when growing in terrariums include the following:
Peperomia caperata—This peperomia is suited for closed terrariums because of its small stature and fondness for humid conditions. It bears heart-shaped corrugated leaves with a succulent texture.
Watermelon peperomia (P. argyreia)—This peperomia is ideal for terrariums because of its high humidity requirements. Oval leaves with patterns that resemble watermelon skin are also available.
Baby rubberplant (P. obtusifolia)—The succulent, glossy leaves of this easy to maintain terrarium plant thrive in a humidified closed glass jar. This peperomia comes in a variety of colors.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants, which are simple to look after, are frequently seen houseplants in terrariums. These ‘spiky’ plants may thrive in a terrarium and adapt to many conditions. Choose the C. Spider Plant if you want to add one to your terrarium collection. Variegatum variant of Comosum. This species of spider plants is one of the smaller ones and has dark green leaves with white edges.
Mosses
Because mosses flourish in moist, low-light settings where the air is constantly humid, they are ideal for an enclosed terrarium’s unique environment. All mosses, regardless of their species, contribute to a rich green groundcover that will flourish in the shade of other terrarium plants. Moss doesn’t compete for height with other leafy plants because it grows along the ground. Cushion moss, sphagnum moss, and hair cap moss are examples of Moss that do well in bottle terrariums.
Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)
Because it thrives in warm, moist conditions and has small leaves, this creeping fig is ideal for enclosed terrariums. This ficus type has trailing stems that may climb up the side of your glass container, as its name implies. The glossy leaves with a rough texture give the heart-shaped leaves.
Spike Mosses (Selaginellas)
Spike moss thrives in closed terrariums due to the humid conditions, which grow along the ground. This vascular plant is not a type of moss, despite its name. Spike mosses with tiny leaves absorb moisture from the environment. In your closed jar, the low-growing plants produce fern-like leaves that create a green carpet. In the shade of other broad-leafed tropical terrarium plants, they continue to grow well.
Golden Clubmoss (Selaginella Kraussiana)—In your terrarium, this kind of club moss forms a stunning dense foliage mat. This plant can only thrive indoors in a humidified environment since it requires such a large amount of humidity. This is a spreading kind of tropical plant that grows to be about 6 inches (15 cm) tall.
Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Since it thrives in heat and humidity and is tolerant of being kept in the dark, this vine plant, the golden pothos, is ideally suited for closed terrarium settings. In a glass terrarium bottle, the golden pothos likes to climb and is a lovely plant for adding height and colorful leaves. Golden pothos has white, yellow, or pale green leaves and is also known as devil’s ivy. These are vigorous growers, so be prepared to trim them regularly to keep them in check.
Baby’s Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
‘Baby’s Tears’ are excellent for indoor closed terrariums because they thrive in warm, humid conditions. These ground creeping plants grow alongside ferns and mosses, and should not be confused with a species of pilea. On the bottom of your terrarium, they develop as a vibrant green carpet. Indoors, an ornamental tropical garden is brightened up with the little, delicate green leaves.
Earth Star (Cryptanthus)
Choose an ‘earth star,’ which is a unique plant with ragged lanceolate leaves that forms a star shape when grown. These simple to care for plants are notoriously slow-growers, and some species don’t grow very big. They prefer a terrarium rather than a pot because they thrive in high humidity. Variegated pink and green bromeliad plants, as well as dark red and purple bromeliad plants, are available.
Mini English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Because of their tiny size and tendency to adapt to warm, humid settings, miniature English ivy cultivars are ideal for terrariums. English ivy will grow in virtually any corner of your closed glass jar, being a kind of creeping vine that thrives in low to medium light. White and green leaves are found in the miniature ivy cultivars. This vine may be cultivated as a brilliant ground cover for your glass terrarium or allowed to climb the walls.
Spiderwort (Tradescantia)
Spiderwort is a genus of decorative flowering plants that flourish indoors. Several varieties of trailing plants can grow in a tiny ecosystem in a closed terrarium. To brighten up your terrarium, several kinds of spiderwort bloom with white, pink, or purple blooms.
Strawberry Begonia (Saxifraga Stolonifera)
Because they don’t grow taller than 8″ (20 cm), strawberry begonias are ideal terrarium plants. The plant grows like strawberry runners and has large green leaves with white veins that resemble begonia leaves. The begonia or strawberry plants are not related to this species of plant.
Strawberry begonias cover the ground with lovely foliage in a closed, humid setting of a terrarium. To encourage bushier development, you may also trim back trailing stems on a regular basis. Strawberry begonias thrive in an enclosed terrarium with high humidity, medium to low light, warmth, and moist soil.
Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)
Add a carnivorous plant like a Venus flytrap to your indoor closed terrarium to transform it into a genuine tropical garden. To flourish, these ‘thirsty’ plants need a lot of moisture and damp soil. One reason why growing these unusual plants in a closed terrarium rather than in a pot is easier is because they need moisture.
It is not for beginners to grow a Venus flytrap in a sealed terrarium. To ensure additional drainage, you’ll need to add extra gravel under the plant. Every so often, you’ll want to add some little flies to the terrarium to feed the plant.
Miniature Orchids
If you want stunning foreign floral displays, grow tiny orchids in your closed terrarium. Orchids grow in a variety of climates, from warm and humid to dry, because they receive consistent moisture. Orchids absorb moisture and nutrients through their roots, making them an epiphytic plant.
A small phalaenopsis or tiny jewel orchid will be the simplest kind of orchid for your sealed terrarium. Not to over-water or mistreat orchids in a closed terrarium, and maintain the air warm and humid are the most essential care tips for growing them.
How to Create a Closed Terrarium
It’s simple to get started and construct a self-contained terrarium. You’ll need a sealable lid on a big glass jar. Have a layer of pebbles for drainage, an layer of activated charcoal, then a layer of potting soil to create the perfect growing environment for terrarium plants.
Only potting soil should be used to plant the plants, and never deeper. You may add stunning pebbles or stones to your terrarium indoor garden once you’ve selected the kind of plants you want. Remember that it’s unnecessary to water a closed terrarium. Soil should be damp, but not soggy or saturated. Only water when necessary and add a tablespoon or two at a time, depending on the size of your container.