Plants for Indoor Terrariums

Terrariums provide an ideal environment for plants that thrive in humid conditions.

The best plants for terrariums are those that don't do well in the normal household environment, according to University of Missouri Extension. Low-growing, dense plants are usually best suited to terrarium culture, advises Missouri Extension.

Small to Medium Plants

Plants from 1 to 6 inches that do well in terrariums include African violets, baby tears, club moss, dwarf gloxinia, gold dust dracaena, goldfish vine, hepatica, miniature peperomia, nerve plant, partridge berry, piggy-back plant, strawberry begonia, and wintergreen. Aluminum plant, artillery plant, begonia, bloodleaf, English ivy, foam flower, maidenhair fern, jade plant, prayer plant, and table fern are successful terrarium plants that grow between 6 and 12 inches tall.

Light Requirements

A plant's light requirements should be considered before choosing it for a terrarium. Most plants do well in medium light, while a few such as Chinese evergreen, Irish moss, spider plant and Swedish ivy prefer low light. Place plants like the Venus flytrap, stonecrop, polka dot plant, oxalis, jade plant and and croton in bright light.

Considerations

Some plants grow quickly and need occasional pruning or pinching back to control their growth, according to online resource, The Garden Helper. These include pink polka dot plant, English ivy, pothos, or devil's ivy and bloodleaf iresine. The University of Missouri Extension suggests trimming any plants over 12 inches tall.

References

• University of Missouri Extension: Terrariums
• The Garden Helper: Plants Suitable for Growing in Terrariums and Dish Gardens

Resources

• Terrarium Man: How to Make a Terrarium