Want to create your own little world in a terrarium? This article has got you covered with 20 amazing plants that are perfect for these mini gardens!
From colorful leaves to trailing vines, each plant adds its own special touch. We’ll share tips on how to keep them happy and thriving, so you can enjoy your own slice of nature, even if you’re short on space or have a brown thumb.
1) Nerve plant (Fittonia albivenis)
This charming little plant will catch your eye with its vibrant veins in shades of pink, red, or white against dark green leaves. It thrives in high humidity and low to medium light, making it a perfect fit for your terrarium. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and pinch back the stems to maintain its compact shape.
2) Baby tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
Create a lush, green carpet in your terrarium with this delicate, fast-growing plant. Baby tears love high humidity and moderate light, and they’ll quickly spread to fill in any empty spaces. Keep the soil moist and trim regularly to maintain its neat appearance.
3) Polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
Add a splash of color to your terrarium with this fun, spotted plant. Available in shades of pink, red, or white, the polka dot plant prefers high humidity and moderate to bright indirect light. Pinch back the stems to encourage bushiness and prevent legginess.
4) Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei)
This eye-catching plant features dark green leaves with striking silver patches, adding a metallic sheen to your terrarium. It thrives in high humidity and moderate to bright indirect light. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and pinch back the stems to maintain its compact growth.
5) Friendship plant (Pilea involucrata)
Also known as the Moon Valley plant, this easy-going plant has soft, velvety leaves with a unique texture. It prefers high humidity and moderate to bright indirect light. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings, and pinch back the stems to encourage fuller growth.
6) Peperomia (Peperomia caperata)
This compact plant boasts textured, heart-shaped leaves in shades of green, red, or silver. It’s a low-maintenance option for your terrarium, thriving in moderate to bright indirect light and preferring slightly dry soil between waterings. Pinch back the stems to maintain their shape.
7) Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Watch in wonder as this plant’s leaves fold up at night, like hands in prayer. With its striking, variegated foliage, the prayer plant is a must-have for your terrarium. It thrives in high humidity and low to moderate indirect light. Keep the soil consistently moist and mist regularly to maintain humidity.
8) Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
This versatile, trailing plant is a classic choice for terrariums. Its heart-shaped leaves are variegated with shades of green and yellow, adding a bright touch to your mini-garden. Golden pothos tolerates a wide range of light conditions and prefers slightly moist soil. Trim back the vines to control their growth and maintain their shape.
9) English ivy (Hedera helix)
Create a romantic, cascading effect in your terrarium with the classic English ivy. This hardy plant thrives in moderate to bright indirect light and prefers consistently moist soil. Trim back the vines regularly to keep them in check and maintain a tidy appearance.
10) Button fern (Pellaea rotundifolia)
Add a touch of elegance to your terrarium with this petite, round-leafed fern. It thrives in high humidity and moderate to bright indirect light. Keep the soil consistently moist and mist regularly to maintain its lush, green appearance.
11) Lemon button fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia)
This compact fern features dainty, button-shaped leaves with a subtle lemon scent when brushed. It prefers high humidity and moderate to bright indirect light. Keep the soil consistently moist and mist regularly to maintain its healthy growth.
12) Strawberry begonia (Saxifraga stolonifera)
Not a true begonia, this charming plant has round, silver-veined leaves and produces tiny, white flowers followed by red, strawberry-like buds. It thrives in high humidity and moderate to bright indirect light. Keep the soil consistently moist and remove any dead leaves to maintain its attractive appearance.
13) Miniature African violets (Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia)
These petite beauties add a burst of color to your terrarium with their vibrant, purple, pink, or white flowers. They prefer high humidity and moderate to bright indirect light. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings and avoid getting water on the leaves to prevent damage.
14) Selaginella (Selaginella kraussiana)
This prehistoric-looking plant creates a dense, green mat in your terrarium, resembling a miniature forest floor. It thrives in high humidity and low to moderate indirect light. Keep the soil consistently moist and mist regularly to maintain its lush appearance.
15) Creeping fig (Ficus pumila)
Add a touch of whimsy to your terrarium with this miniature, climbing fig. Its small, heart-shaped leaves will creep and cling to surfaces, creating a charming, fairy-tale look. Creeping fig prefers high humidity and moderate to bright indirect light. Keep the soil consistently moist and trim back the vines to control their growth.
16) Miniature orchids (e.g. Platystele, Pleurothallis)
These tiny, exotic orchids add a touch of sophistication to your terrarium. With their delicate flowers and unique foliage, they thrive in high humidity and moderate to bright indirect light. Keep the soil consistently moist and ensure proper air circulation to prevent fungal growth.
17) Air plants (Tillandsia spp.)
For a truly unique addition to your terrarium, consider air plants. These rootless wonders absorb moisture and nutrients through their leaves, making them perfect for mounting on rocks or driftwood. They prefer high humidity and bright, indirect light. Mist them regularly and soak them in water for 20 – 30 minutes every 1 – 2 weeks.
18) Mosses (various species)
Create a serene, woodland atmosphere in your terrarium with a variety of mosses. These ancient plants thrive in high humidity and low to moderate indirect light. Keep them consistently moist by misting regularly and ensure proper drainage to prevent stagnant water.
19) Dwarf palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Add a tropical flair to your terrarium with this miniature palm. Its graceful, feathery fronds are perfect for creating a canopy effect. Dwarf palms prefer high humidity and moderate to bright indirect light. Keep the soil consistently moist and mist regularly to maintain its lush appearance.
20) Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) – dwarf varieties
Bring vibrant colors to your terrarium with compact croton plants. Their stunning, multicolored leaves thrive in high humidity and bright, indirect light. Keep the soil moist, mist regularly, and wipe leaves occasionally for the best results.
