18 Best Plants for Terrariums to Create Miniature Worlds

Kasey Spencer
Best Plants for Terrariums to Create Miniature Worlds

Terrariums are like tiny worlds in glass containers. They let us bring nature inside and make small gardens that need little care. These mini-ecosystems can hold many types of plants, from mosses to small flowers.

We’ve picked 18 plants that grow well in terrariums. These plants stay small and thrive in the moist air of a closed container. Some add bright colors, while others create lush green backgrounds. With the right mix of plants, you can make a terrarium that looks great and lasts a long time.

1. Nerve Plant (Fittonia)

Maranta leuconeura var
Image: Envato Elements

Nerve plants are stunning choices for terrariums. Their eye-catching leaves have vibrant veins in pink, red, or white.

Fittonias stay small, making them perfect for miniature gardens. They thrive in the humid conditions terrariums provide. We recommend pinching back stem tips to encourage bushy growth. This helps create a fuller, more compact plant.

Nerve plants prefer bright, indirect light. They need moist soil but don’t like standing water. With proper care, fittonias add a pop of color and texture to any terrarium. Their unique leaf patterns create visual interest in small spaces.

2. Pilea Peperomioides

Pilea peperomioides, also known as the Chinese money plant, is a great choice for terrariums. Its round, coin-shaped leaves add a unique and eye-catching element to miniature landscapes.

We recommend planting it in rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Adding perlite to the potting mix can help improve drainage. This plant thrives in temperatures between 60°F and 75°F (15°C to 24°C). It’s a fast grower but stays relatively small, making it perfect for terrariums.

Pilea peperomioides are low-maintenance, and ideal for beginners. Its leaves can grow up to 4 inches wide, creating an interesting focal point in your terrarium.

3. Peperomia Rosso

Peperomia Rosso is a charming plant for terrariums. It has deep green leaves with reddish-purple undersides, creating a striking contrast. This compact plant thrives in bright, indirect light. We recommend placing it away from direct sun to prevent leaf scorching.

Peperomia Rosso prefers a well-draining soil mix. A blend of 50% potting soil and 50% perlite works well in terrariums. The ideal temperature range for this plant is 55-75°F (13-24°C). It’s best to keep it away from drafts and heat sources.

With its small size and low maintenance needs, Peperomia Rosso makes an excellent choice for miniature terrarium worlds.

4. Air Plants (Tillandsia)

Air Plants

Air plants are a unique choice for terrariums. These plants don’t need soil to grow, making them perfect for small, creative displays.

Tillandsia come in many sizes and shapes. Some stay as small as a dime, while others can grow to the size of a basketball. This variety lets us pick the right plant for any terrarium size. We love using air plants in open terrariums. They’re easy to care for and add a touch of green to any space. To water them, we just give them a quick dunk in clean water and let them dry.

For small desktop terrariums, we suggest looking for containers 8-12 inches tall. These work well with smaller Tillandsia species. Larger displays give us room to create more complex terrarium landscapes.

5. Button Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia)

Button ferns are charming plants for terrariums. We love their small, round leaflets that look like cute buttons along the stems. These ferns stay compact, reaching only about 15 inches tall. This makes them perfect for small spaces in terrariums.

Button ferns like bright indirect light. We recommend planting them in well-draining soil that stays slightly moist. Their dark green leaves and reddish stems add visual interest. Button ferns are also fairly easy to care for, making them great for beginners.

We find these ferns work well when grouped or paired with other small terrarium plants. Their arching fronds create a soft, elegant look in miniature landscapes.

6. Moss (Hypnum or Sheet Moss)

Moss is a great choice for terrariums. Hypnum or sheet moss forms a lush green carpet that adds a natural look to miniature landscapes. This moss thrives in humid conditions, making it perfect for enclosed terrariums. It spreads horizontally, covering surfaces with its dense growth.

We recommend misting sheet moss lightly to keep it healthy. It doesn’t need much water, so avoid soaking it. Hypnum moss is easy to find and use in terrariums. It can create a forest floor effect or cover small hills in your mini world.

7. Baby’s Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)

Baby’s Tears is a charming plant that creates a lush green carpet in terrariums. Its tiny round leaves grow densely on short stems, giving it a moss-like appearance.

This plant thrives in moist conditions, making it perfect for humid terrarium environments. We recommend placing it in areas with indirect light to promote healthy growth.

Baby’s Tears prefers temperatures between 60-65°F during the day and 50-55°F at night. It grows best in loose, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH.

When planting, space Baby’s Tears about 3-6 feet apart to allow for spreading. Regular watering is essential to keep the soil consistently moist, as this plant can’t tolerate drought.

8. Ficus Ginseng

Ficus Ginseng is a standout choice for terrariums. Its thick, gnarled roots and glossy leaves create a unique miniature tree look. This plant adds depth and complexity to small indoor gardens. Its compact size makes it perfect for confined spaces.

We love how Ficus Ginseng brings a bonsai-like appearance to terrariums. It’s a low-maintenance option that doesn’t need frequent pruning.

To plant it, we make a hole in the terrarium soil and carefully place the Ficus with its roots. Adding small stones and moss around it enhances the natural look.

9. Calathea

Calathea Orbifolia
Image: Envato Elements

Calatheas are stunning plants for terrariums. We love their colorful, patterned leaves that add visual interest. These tropical beauties thrive in high humidity, making them perfect for closed terrariums.

Calatheas prefer indirect light and moist soil. We recommend using a well-draining potting mix. Keep the soil slightly damp but not waterlogged.

These plants come in various sizes and patterns. Some popular varieties include Calathea ornata and Calathea lancifolia. Their unique leaf movements in response to light make them fascinating to watch.

10. Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes)

Polka dot plants bring a splash of color to terrariums. Their spotted leaves come in shades of pink, white, or red against green backgrounds.

These compact plants thrive in humid environments, making them perfect for enclosed terrariums. They stay relatively small, so they won’t outgrow their space quickly.

We love polka dot plants for adding a fun, whimsical touch to miniature landscapes. Their low-maintenance nature is another plus for terrarium growers.

To keep polka dot plants looking their best, we recommend occasional pruning. This prevents them from getting leggy and helps maintain their bushy shape.

11. Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)

Venus flytraps are fascinating carnivorous plants that can add a unique touch to terrariums. We love their distinctive trap-like leaves that snap shut to catch insects.

To grow venus flytraps in terrariums, we use a mix of peat moss and perlite. This provides the acidic, nutrient-poor soil they prefer. We make sure the terrarium gets plenty of bright light, as these plants thrive in full sun.

Watering is important for venus flytraps. We keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Using distilled water or rainwater is best, as they’re sensitive to minerals in tap water.

In terrariums, we can create an eye-catching display by adding small rocks or sticks around the venus flytrap. This mimics their natural bog habitat and adds visual interest.

12. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Golden pothos houseplant.
Image: Envato Elements

Golden Pothos is a great choice for terrariums. This hardy vine has beautiful heart-shaped leaves with yellow and green variegation. We love how adaptable Golden Pothos is. It can thrive in different light conditions and doesn’t need much water.

In terrariums, Golden Pothos adds a lush, tropical feel. Its vines can be trained to climb or allowed to cascade down.

This plant also helps purify the air inside the terrarium. It removes toxins like formaldehyde and benzene.

Golden Pothos grows quickly, so we recommend trimming it regularly. This keeps it from overtaking other plants in your miniature world.

13. Mini African Violet (Saintpaulia)

Mini African violets are charming plants that thrive in terrariums. These tiny versions of the popular houseplant add a splash of color with their delicate flowers.

We love using mini African violets in wide-bottomed containers with large lids. They need good drainage, so we start with a layer of gravel at the bottom.

Next, we add fine mesh and fast-draining soil. We plant the violet in the center, making sure it doesn’t touch the glass sides.

These miniature beauties come from Tanzania originally. Now, there are many hybrid varieties to choose from for our terrariums.

14. Dwarf Sansevieria

Dwarf Sansevieria, also known as Sansevieria samurai, is a compact snake plant perfect for terrariums. It grows only 4-6 inches tall, making it ideal for small spaces.

This miniature variety features short, thick leaves that point in opposite directions. The leaves have a striking appearance with their sharp, pointed tips.

Dwarf Sansevieria is easy to care for and thrives in low-light conditions. It doesn’t need much water, making it a great choice for beginners or busy plant owners.

We love using Dwarf Sansevieria in terrariums because it adds an interesting architectural element without taking up too much space. Its unique shape and low maintenance needs make it a top pick for miniature gardens.

15. Bromeliads

Bromeliad
Image: Envato Elements

Bromeliads are tropical plants that can thrive in terrariums. We love their colorful foliage and unique shapes. These plants come in many sizes, from tiny air plants to larger species.

Bromeliads don’t need much soil. Some can even grow without it. They prefer bright, indirect light and high humidity. This makes them perfect for closed terrariums.

We recommend using smaller bromeliad species in terrariums. Neoregelia, Cryptanthus, and Tillandsia are great choices. They add a pop of color and interesting texture to miniature landscapes.

Remember to mist bromeliads regularly. They absorb water through their leaves and central cups. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause rot.

16. Selaginella

Selaginella, also known as spike moss, is a fantastic addition to terrariums. This plant brings lush, fern-like greenery that adds depth and texture to miniature landscapes.

Selaginella thrives in the moist environment of closed terrariums. Its small leaves and creeping growth habit make it perfect for filling in gaps and creating ground cover.

We love how selaginella helps maintain humidity levels in terrariums. It absorbs excess moisture and releases it slowly, contributing to a balanced ecosystem.

There are many selaginella varieties to choose from. Some have blue-green foliage, while others display reddish hues. This diversity allows us to create unique terrarium designs.

17. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens)

Heartleaf Philodendron is a great choice for terrariums. Its heart-shaped leaves add a charming touch to miniature landscapes.

This tropical plant thrives in warm, humid environments. It’s perfect for closed terrariums that mimic its natural habitat.

We love how easy it is to care for. It can tolerate low light and doesn’t need frequent watering.

The Heartleaf Philodendron grows as a trailing vine. This makes it ideal for cascading over terrarium features or climbing up supports.

Its compact size keeps it from overpowering other plants in your mini-world. With proper care, it will bring lush greenery to your terrarium for years to come.

18. Mini Ferns (Nephrolepis)

Maidenhair Fern

Mini ferns from the Nephrolepis genus are perfect for terrariums. These compact plants bring a lush, forest-like feel to small spaces.

The Fluffy Ruffles Fern is a popular choice. It grows up to 12 inches tall and has delicate, feathery fronds. This fern adds texture and movement to terrariums.

Another great option is the Lemon Button Fern. It’s very small, usually reaching 4-12 inches in height. Its round leaflets give it a unique, button-like appearance.

These ferns like bright, indirect light and high humidity. They’re ideal for closed terrariums where moisture levels stay consistent.

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