The best plants for terrariums are small and slow-growing. Generally speaking, it is best to choose ones that complement each other in terms of their light, temperature and humidity requirements. For instance, high humidity in a sealed terrarium is well suited to ferns, mosses and insectivorous plants. Cacti and succulents, on the other hand, require a dryer environment and will flourish better in a container that is always kept open. Finally, you can control the humidity level by periodically opening and closing the lid of the terrarium to suit the plants’ needs.
The following indoor plants grow well in terrariums. Be sure to choose healthy, insect-free plants, for parasites multiply quickly in the closed environment in a terrarium.
Low light (north facing)
Foliage plants
- Aglaonema
- Aucuba
- Chamaedorea
- Dracaena
- Euonymus
- Calathea
- Philodendron
- Pilea
- Sansevieria
- Scindapsus
- Spathiphyllum
- Syngonium
Medium light (east facing)
Ground-cover
- Gaultheria
- Hedera
- Selaginella
Ferns
- Adiantum
- Asplenium
- Polypodium
Lichen
- Cladonia
Moss
- Sphagnum
Foliage plants
- Caladium
- Maranta
Flowering plants
- Anthurium
Insectivorous plant
- Sarracenia
Bright light (south or west facing)
Flowering plants
- Begonia
- Episcia
- Gesneria
- Oxalis
- Saintpaulia
- Sinningia
- Streptocarpus
- Trifolium
Foliage plants
- Cacti and succulents
- Iresine
Insectivorous plant
- Dionaea
- Sarracenia
