8 Enchanting Terrarium Plants That Flourish All Year Long

Terrariums are miniature self-contained gardens enclosed in glass containers. Their popularity has soared in recent years because they are visually stunning, low-maintenance, and perfect for small spaces. As the container is either fully or partially enclosed, a terrarium can create its own self-sustaining mini-ecosystem.

Making a terrarium is a great gardening project for any time, but particularly in winter as you can enjoy plants indoors while your garden outside is sleeping.

You start by adding moist soil to a glass container – this can be small-scale, such as making a terrarium in a jar, or large-scale, such as a fish tank terrarium.

You need to decide whether you'd prefer an open or closed terrarium, as this will affect the types of plants you can grow and how much maintenance is required. Closed terrariums are self-watering, as the water will evaporate from the soil and condense on the walls of the glass. However, not all plants thrive in these conditions. For example, orchid terrariums are best suited to being partially open, meaning they will require occasional watering.

The best terrarium plants prefer humidity, warmth, and indirect or low light. They should be small and varied to give you a mix of textures and colors. Here are eight stunning plants that thrive in a terrarium environment.

1. Polka Dot Plant

The polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) is a great plant to add color to a terrarium. The leaves are small and delicate but delightfully patterned in shades of pink, red, or silver with green.

Polka dot plants are small and easy to grow, but you will need to pinch them back occasionally to maintain their size and prevent leggy growth.

2. African Violet

African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) naturally grow in warm, humid conditions. They can also be induced to produce delicate, purple, pink, or white flowers nearly all year round. Their fuzzy leaves add a unique texture to your terrarium mix.

Just take care to plant them in the middle. African violet leaves do not respond well to getting wet. If planted on the edges where they can touch the sides of the terrarium, condensed water may collect on them.

3. Maidenhair Fern

Like most ferns, maidenhair fern (Adiantum raddianum) thrives in humid conditions and low light. This fern has unique fronds with small, fan-shaped segments in a light green color. The resulting texture is an attractive contrast to terrarium plants with larger or smooth leaves.

Maidenhair ferns are not large, but you may need to trim them back once in a while depending on the size of the terrarium.

4. Peperomia

Peperomia (Peperomia spp.) is a large genus with several species appropriate for a terrarium environment. Many are very small and all do well in low-light conditions.

Try P. japonica for its small, button-like leaves strung on vining stems. P. orba, also known as pixie lime, is small with bright green leaves. P. prostrata is also called string of turtles. It has trailing stems with small, fleshy leaves.

5. Friendship Plant

Friendship plant (Pilea involucrata) is notable for its deeply textured leaves. They are densely rippled, creating a rough, bumpy texture that is truly unique. The foliage also has unique coloring, lime green with reddish variegation.

One of the best features of the friendship plant is that it is small enough to work in a variety of terrarium sizes.

6. Nerve Plant

The nerve plant (Fittonia albivenis) has attractive foliage and grows small enough for an enclosed container. Its leaves are dark green with stark white stripes.

Make this striking plant the centerpiece of a terrarium to showcase the leaves. It will even produce red or white flowers at least once a year.

7. Air Plants

Terrarium conditions are good for air plants, which do not need soil for their roots. Look for species in the Tillandsia genus. They will absorb the water and nutrients they need from the humid air inside the terrarium

You can place a small air plant on the bottom of the terrarium, or use a small shepherd’s hook or other structure to hang it over the other plants. This adds another dimension to the terrarium. You can even nestle it in another plant large enough to support it.

8. Venus Flytrap

For something truly different, try growing a Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula). These carnivorous plants are native to a small area of North and South Carolina that is warm and very humid, so are well suited to terrarium conditions.

Just be aware that you’ll need to feed them or introduce insects to the terrarium.

Tips for Maintaining Your Terrarium

Now that you have created your beautiful winter terrarium, it’s time to maintain it. Good terrarium care is vital to ensuring plants last a long, particularly in winter. Start with placement. It should be away from cold drafts and in a spot that gets bright but indirect light.

Overwatering a terrarium is much more common than underwatering. The best way to manage water is to keep an eye on it. Add water only if the soil seems very dry. An easy way to water a terrarium is to spritz it once in a while.

Stop watering if the soil seems soggy or if you see mold. If you do see mold remove it. Open the terrarium to let it dry out a little. Remove any dead or dying plant tissue as it appears, as these can start to decompose in the warm, moist environment. Always use clean, sterile tools for maintenance.

If you take care of your terrarium, it should last for several years.

More Houseplant Inspiration

• Discover the 5 winter houseplant care mistakes you’re probably making, according to a horticulturist.
• Find out how to choose perfect houseplant combinations for every room in your home.
• Rare houseplant expert shares 5 extraordinary, easy-care varieties to elevate your collection.
• Shop mason jar growing kits in the Gardening Know How Shop – to nurture your own tiny terrarium.

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