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Terrariums are not at the summit of their popularity as they were in puritanical fourth dimension , but they are definitelytrending . These closed or open containers are made of glassful or plastic and housetiny plants . They add intrigue and beauty to your décor . They also have founding father — and kids — get into horticulture in a fun , cheap , gloomy - feat path .
you may find many charming terrarium plants , but beginners might preferlow - maintenance alternative . To capture the optical interestingness distinctive of terrariums , choose three types of plants : An upright or tall flora , a midsized plant life , and alow - growingor trailing works . You will incur natural selection in all three categories on this list . But first , go over the following cheat sheet to simplify your plant hunt .
9 Rules for Choosing Terrarium Plants
Image course credit : Lucy Serafi via Wikimedia Commons
A quick - hit template to demystify your decision .
Tall Terrarium Plants, 6 to 12 inches High
Dracaena
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Dracaenais a member of the Asparagus officinales ( Asparagaceae ) crime syndicate with more than 100 species . They are reputed for their easy care and air - cleaning ability . One democratic option is ' Belgian Evergreen ' or ' Lucky Bamboo ' ( Dracaena sanderiana ) , which like intermediate humidness . ' Gold Dust ' dracaena ( Dracaena surculosa ) has yellow - speckled green leaves and prefer high humidness .
Humidity : High
Growth rate : deadening
Japanese Sweet Flag
double credit : Cliff via Openverse
Nipponese sweet flag ’s innate habitat is boggy and pixilated so it conform well to terrarium , especially the unsympathetic kind . Although not technically agrass , this low - maintenance perennial ( Acorus gramineus ) has arching , grass - like leaf . It ’s a great backcloth for other plant . As the name suggests , it has a sweet smell , with some form smelling of liquorice or citrus .
ontogeny : Slow
Bloodleaf
ikon credit : Cliff via Wikimedia Commons
Another carefree plant , bloodleaf ( Iresine diffusa f. herbstii ) inject red and burgundy chromaticity into your terrarium . A aborigine to South America , it is also known as Joseph ’s coat , beefsteak , and volaille gizzard . Although it produces flowers , it is bloodleaf ’s foliage gardener crave . Bold and beautiful , the leaves can be either an obovate or inverted - warmheartedness shape .
Growth rate : average
Midsized Terrarium Plants, less than 6 inches tall
Mini African Violet
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African violets ( Streptocarpus ionanthus , formerly Saintpaulia ionantha ) are the ultimate plants for beginners . As wizardly as they are leisurely , they bloom several times a year . Their flowers come in a broad range of colors , and shapes , including individual , double , frilled , and superstar . PlaceAfrican violetsin the kernel of the terrarium , where their leaves can not touch the trash , soak up H2O , and start to molder .
Air Plant
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Also commonly bang by their genus Tillandsia , line plantsare part of the bromeliad ( Bromeliaceae ) family and take charm to the next spirit level . They need short aid and no soil at all to grow .
Mesic varieties from humid regions like South American rainforests thrive in closed terrarium . Xeric varieties from desert - like climates suit open terrariums . Two to try are T. Ionantha ' Rubra ' and T. Ionantha ' Fuego ' – They formulate colored leaf tips when in bloom .
Humidity : depressed or high
Rabbit’s Foot Fern
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Moisture - lovingfernsexcel in terrarium . However , lapin ’s foot fern ( Davallia canariensis ) can still flourish in slightly drier conditions . It boost visual impact and peculiarity with its fuzzed rhizomes that creep around other plants and objects in your terrarium . Watch for additional fronds burgeon forth as it crawl and sprawls .
Humidity : Low to medium
Small or Low Trailing, 1 to 3 inches tall
Earth Star
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Shaped like its name , Earth star ( Cryptanthus sp . ) is also a member of thebromeliad menage . There are more than 1,200 varieties uncommitted in different size of it , condition , and colours . After they blossom , they pass . But not to worry , they are prolific at make puppy or clones of the parent plant . Unlike other bromeliads , they are not epiphytic and need rich dirt to thrive .
Button Fern
simulacrum citation : Photo by David J. Stang via Openverse
drouth - tolerant and cute as a push button , this low - lie fern ( Pellaea rotundifolia ) is easy to handle for and nestle neatly into an open terrarium . Its waxy leaves are equally space on its branches , giving it a lithe , airy looking . Although itthrives in dry conditions , it flourishes with regular tearing . Prune old fronds at the al-Qaeda to spur new increment .
Growth pace : Fast
Ivy
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Ivy ( Hedera genus Helix ) is renowned for its classic spell . It ’s low - hustle , adaptable to moist or ironical conditions , and bask thebright , collateral lighttypical of a terrarium . Many cultivated gnome varieties of English ivy , such as Jubilee and Little Diamond , have multicolored parting , supply an extra poke of prettiness . Ivy mature easy in its first year but quickly afterward .
humidness : Low to mellow
Growth rate : slow up to fast
Moss Is a Must for a Terrarium
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Whether mosses are charming might be disputable , but they are essential to terrariums for a few reasons . Mossis an aquatic plant so it ’s very adaptable to the surround in terrariums . Itpurifies the airin terrariums , boosts drainage , and add an attractive , carpet - like effect . This miserable - maintenance , slow grower is also easy and cheap to bestow .
Some pop mosses for terrariums are peat moss , creeping , pincushion , and clubmoss . However , moss in an open terrarium is more vulnerable to changes in the surround , such as aviation conditioning or heating in winter . They ’re best arise in closed containers .
Taming Your Terrarium
While this is not an thorough inclination , these plant are some of the best for beginners . They adapt very well to conditions in terrariums and are some of the most fuss - gratis industrial plant you could prefer .
However , they are living beings . Over time , they will outgrow theircontainers , or some might overwhelm their fellow . outride on top of pinching , pruning , and removing waste flora to keep the full group healthy and harmonious .
