Best Terrarium Plants: Finding the Perfect Terrarium Plants for You
Terrariums are a beautiful addition to any room, and they can be customized to fit any style. They make a great accent piece, and they can also be used to house plants. In order to get the most out of your terrarium, it’s important to choose the right plants, and that is where this list of best plants for terrariums can help you out.
This list of the best terrarium plants will feature the top options and will help you find the right terrarium plants for you. With this list, you can find the perfect options to make your terrarium look its best, but also provide some great foliage for your little critter.
Take a few minutes to check out our lists of the best house pets and best pet snakes. They will pair up nicely with this list of the best plants for terrariums and provide even more value to you.
Top 15 Terrarium Plants:
1. Moss Fern
Price: $12.95
About Terrarium Plant: Moss Ferns are ideal for terrariums thanks to their compact size and lush texture. They thrive in humid, low-light environments and require minimal care. Perfect for adding forest-floor vibes to any glass container. A go-to for mossy, natural terrarium aesthetics.
2. Air Plants (Tillandsia)
Price: $7.89
About Terrarium Plant: Air Plants are soil-free and thrive with regular misting, making them a unique fit for terrariums. Their spiky leaves and varied shapes add modern flair. Easy to rearrange or display creatively. Great for minimalist or open-air terrarium designs.
3. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Price: $21.99
About Terrarium Plant: Pothos is a hardy vine with heart-shaped leaves that tolerates low light and infrequent watering. Its trailing stems create a dramatic effect inside glass enclosures. Very easy to propagate and maintain. Great for beginners and decorative appeal.
4. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Price: $28.00
About Terrarium Plant: Spider Plants have striking green-and-white leaves and produce small offshoots. They adapt well to various lighting and moisture levels. Their arching growth adds dimension to terrariums. A popular, air-purifying choice for enclosed environments.
5. Peperomia
Price: $29.99
About Terrarium Plant: Peperomia species vary in color and texture but all are compact, low-maintenance, and terrarium-friendly. Their thick leaves retain moisture, making them ideal for humid conditions. Adds bold foliage contrast. Perfect for tropical terrarium themes.
6. Fittonia (Nerve Plant)
Price: $19.79
About Terrarium Plant: Fittonia’s vibrant veined leaves come in shades of red, pink, and white. It loves humidity and shade, thriving in closed terrariums. Its low, creeping habit fills space attractively. A top pick for colorful ground cover.
7. English Ivy
Price: $32.95
About Terrarium Plant: English Ivy adds classic charm with its climbing or trailing growth. It thrives in moderate light and moist soil conditions. Ideal for tall or hanging terrariums. Its evergreen leaves offer year-round greenery and style.
8. Calathea
Price: $30.98
About Terrarium Plant: Calathea plants feature stunning patterned leaves and move slightly in response to light. They prefer indirect light and high humidity, perfect for enclosed terrariums. Adds dramatic foliage and exotic vibes. Known for its air-purifying qualities too.
9. Bromeliad
Price: $20.99
About Terrarium Plant: Bromeliads bring vibrant color and structural beauty to terrariums. Their rosette shape and tropical flowers make them stand out. They love bright, indirect light and warm humidity. Perfect for eye-catching centerpiece displays.
10. Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig)
Price: $89.98
About Terrarium Plant: Creeping Fig grows quickly and covers surfaces with tiny, heart-shaped leaves. It thrives in humid, shaded environments and adapts well to terrarium life. Adds lushness to vertical or background areas. Easy to trim and shape as needed.
11. African Violet
Price: $39.99
About Terrarium Plant: African Violets bring color with their compact size and continuous blooms. They prefer consistent moisture and indirect light. Ideal for decorative, closed terrariums. Their velvet-textured leaves add extra visual appeal.
12. Baby Tears (Soleirolia)
Price: $19.69
About Terrarium Plant: Baby Tears form a soft, cushion-like carpet of tiny green leaves. It thrives in humid conditions with gentle light exposure. Great for layering the terrarium floor. Adds depth and softness to any arrangement.
13. Jade Plant
Price: $6.99
About Terrarium Plant: The Jade Plant is a drought-tolerant succulent with thick, fleshy leaves. It prefers drier terrarium environments with good airflow. Low-maintenance and slow-growing. Perfect for open, desert-style terrariums.
14. Sweet Potato Vine
Price: $14.99
About Terrarium Plant: Sweet Potato Vines grow rapidly and bring striking foliage in shades of green or purple. Great for trailing over terrarium edges or down vertical surfaces. They love light and moisture. Adds bold color and volume quickly.
15. Anubias
Price: $18.99
About Terrarium Plant: Anubias is a hardy aquatic plant that thrives in humid and partially submerged setups. Its dark green leaves are thick and elegant. Works beautifully in paludariums or moist terrariums. Nearly maintenance-free and long-lasting.
Editor’s Picks for the Best Terrarium Plants
While all the plants on this list are excellent, a few terrarium plants stand out for their versatility, appearance, and ease of care. Fittonia (Nerve Plant) is a clear favorite with its striking colors and love for humidity—perfect for adding life to closed terrariums. Peperomia is another editor’s pick, offering texture and variety while staying compact and low-maintenance. For minimalists, Air Plants (Tillandsia) bring an artistic touch without the need for soil, making them ideal for open terrariums or hanging displays. These choices combine visual appeal with practical growth habits, making them great additions to any terrarium setup.
Frequently Asked Questions About Terrarium Plants
What are the best plants for closed terrariums?
Closed terrariums maintain high humidity and are great for plants that love moisture, such as Fittonia, Moss Fern, and Baby Tears. These plants thrive in a sealed environment and require minimal watering.
Can succulents be used in terrariums?
Yes, but only in open terrariums. Succulents like the Jade Plant need good airflow and dry conditions. Avoid placing them in closed containers, as excess humidity can lead to rot.
Do terrarium plants need direct sunlight?
Most terrarium plants prefer indirect or filtered light. Direct sunlight can overheat a closed terrarium and damage the plants inside. Place your terrarium near a bright window but out of the sun’s direct path.
How often should I water terrarium plants?
Watering needs vary depending on whether your terrarium is open or closed. Closed terrariums may only need watering every few weeks, while open terrariums should be watered more regularly—when the soil begins to dry out.
Can I keep pets in my terrarium with these plants?
Many terrarium plants are non-toxic, but always double-check if you’re housing small reptiles, amphibians, or insects. Plants like Moss Fern, Anubias, and Spider Plant are generally pet-safe.
Tips for Choosing the Best Plants for Your Terrarium
1. Match the Plant to the Terrarium Type
For closed terrariums, choose moisture-loving plants like Calathea, African Violets, and Ficus pumila. For open terrariums, opt for succulents and air plants that need airflow and less moisture.
2. Consider Growth Habits
Some plants, like English Ivy or Sweet Potato Vine, grow quickly and can overtake small terrariums. Use them in larger or vertical spaces, or prune regularly to control spread.
3. Use Layering for Visual Depth
Combine ground covers like Baby Tears with upright plants like Peperomia and trailing species like Pothos to create a layered, natural-looking display.
4. Pick Low-Maintenance Species
If you’re new to terrariums, start with hardy options like Air Plants, Spider Plant, or Jade Plant. These require minimal attention and are very forgiving.
5. Choose Plants with Varied Textures and Colors
Mixing leaf shapes and colors—such as pairing the bold Fittonia with the sleek Anubias—adds visual interest and helps your terrarium become a living work of art.
Best Terrarium Plants Conclusion
When choosing plants for your terrarium, it’s important to consider the size of the space, the level of light, and the type of environment you want to create.
With this list, you can find the perfect plants to suit your needs and make your terrariums look great.
Have you tried any of these terrarium plants before? If so, please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
