There’s something magical about creating a miniature garden inside a small glass container. Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or just dipping your toes into the world of terrariums, choosing plants for small terrariums can make all the difference. These tiny plants thrive in controlled environments, bringing a lush, green world into your home. From humidity-loving ferns to trailing vines, terrarium plants are not only beautiful but also low maintenance – perfect for anyone with a green thumb or those just starting their plant care journey.
When choosing terrarium plants, it’s important to think about their characteristics. Small spaces require compact plants with shallow root systems, a tolerance for indirect light, and a love for high humidity. Closed terrariums, in particular, trap moisture, so you want plants that can handle a humid environment. Let’s dive into the best plant options that will grow in these tiny ecosystems.
Best Plants for Small Terrariums
1. Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)
Creeping Fig is an excellent terrarium plant, especially for those who want to add some texture to their miniature garden. With its tiny, deep green leaves and vines, it’s perfect for covering the base of a terrarium or creating vertical interest. It thrives in indirect light and high humidity environments, making it ideal for closed terrariums. The creeping fig’s compact growth ensures it won’t outgrow your terrarium quickly, and it adds a lovely, lush green carpet effect to the setup.
One great benefit of Creeping Fig is that it can serve as a natural ground cover, giving your terrarium a self-sustaining ecosystem feel. Just ensure it has proper airflow and avoid direct sunlight to prevent its leaves from burning. These plants thrive with minimal watering and prefer drier conditions, making them a low-maintenance option for beginners.
2. Peacock Fern / Peacock Moss (Selaginella uncinata)
Peacock Fern, also known as Peacock Moss, is a fantastic option if you’re looking to add striking color and texture to your terrarium. Its iridescent, small size, silvery blue-green foliage adds a unique contrast to other green terrarium plants, giving your miniature garden an eye-catching appeal. This plant is well-suited for closed terrariums due to its love for high humidity and sunlight.
One of the best things about Peacock Fern is its ability to thrive in humid environments, so it’s a perfect match for closed containers. Just be mindful of overwatering, as it prefers moist ground but doesn’t like to sit in waterlogged conditions, which can lead to root rotting.
3. String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata)
String of Turtles is a personal favorite among small terrarium enthusiasts. Its tiny, round leaves resemble turtle shells, trailing down in a delicate cascade. This Peperomia variety is slow-growing and thrives in indirect light, making it a perfect candidate for a small space. It loves humid conditions, so a closed environment works best for this little plant.
A big benefit of String of Turtles is its compact size and low maintenance needs, making closed terrariums the best growing place for them.
It can handle minimal watering, and as long as it’s placed in a limited space suitable for its growth, this plant will grow with minimal care. Plus, its trailing vines add a whimsical touch to your tiny garden.
4. Humata Heterophylla
Looking for a fern with character to add some contrasting color in your garden? Humata heterophylla, also known as the White Rabbit’s Foot Fern, is a wonderful option for terrariums. With its creeping rhizomes that look like tiny rabbit’s feet, it adds a unique element to your setup. This fern thrives in high humidity and indirect light, making it one of the best plants for small areas.
The fern’s ability to thrive in closed environments with high humidity and low light makes it an easy choice for beginners. Just ensure regular misting and maintain moist soil to keep this fern happy. Use a well-draining, rich soil mix with good moisture retention, such as a combination of peat, perlite, and potting soil. This miniature version of plants mimics the forest floor where it thrives naturally, allowing its roots to stay moist but not soggy.
5. Fluffy Ruffles Sword Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Fluffy Ruffles’)
Fluffy Ruffles Sword Fern is a lush, feathery fern that works wonders in small spaces. It’s compact, easy to care for, making it perfect for closed terrariums. The plant’s name says it all – its fronds are soft and ruffled, creating a beautiful, delicate texture.
These miniature ferns prefer low sunlight and moist soil, so placing them in a spot with bright light but no direct exposure is key to keeping them thriving. Regular misting ensures it maintains its fluffy appearance, while also keeping the humidity levels up inside your terrarium.
This plant prefers a moderate temperature range of 60-75°F (16-24°C). It dislikes cold drafts or extreme heat, so keep it away from air conditioning vents or heaters.
6. Marcgravia Sintenisii
Marcgravia sintenisii is a tropical vine that thrives in humid environments, making it an excellent choice for closed terrariums. Its green, rounded leaves grow in clusters, creating a beautiful, compact vine that can add vertical interest to your miniature garden.
This plant thrives in less light and doesn’t require much maintenance, making it perfect for busy plant lovers. It’s a great option for adding height to your terrarium without taking up too much space. Its love for high humidity makes it thrive in closed environments, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
7. Pilea Glauca
Pilea glauca, also known as Silver Sparkle Pilea, adds a splash of silvery-white contrast to your terrarium. With its tiny, round leaves and trailing growth habit, it works well in both open and closed terrariums. This plant loves indirect sunlight and high humidity, making it an excellent candidate for a self-sustaining ecosystem inside a glass container with minimal maintenance.
One of the biggest benefits of Pilea glauca is its ability to thrive with little care. It’s a great plant for beginners looking to start their own miniature garden. Just be mindful of keeping the soil moist, and this plant will reward you with continuous growth and beauty.
Too much direct sunlight can cause its delicate leaves to burn, so place it in a spot where it gets bright, filtered light. It can also do well in low-light environments, making it perfect for terrariums or shaded areas indoors.
Conclusion
When it comes to finding the right plants for small terrariums, it’s all about selecting compact, humidity-loving, and low-maintenance varieties that will thrive in your controlled environment. From the creeping fig’s natural ground cover to the fluffy ruffles of sword ferns, these plants not only enhance the beauty of your terrarium but also create a sustainable ecosystem that requires minimal care. Whether you prefer trailing vines, ferns, or something unique like the White Rabbit’s Foot Fern, your miniature garden will flourish with the right plants and a little love. Happy planting!
