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Terrariumsare open or closed clear glass containers in which plants are grown.
Open terrariums receive fresh air to reduce humidity.
Here are easy terrarium plant ideas for open or closed glass terrariums.
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Warning
Some plants listed here are toxic to humans and animals, as noted below.
What Types of Plants Thrive in Terrariums?
While terrariums can be filled with several different varieties of plants, these types thrive in the glass-contained environment.
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Dwarf conifers, cacti, and succulents are good small-variety options to try.
Mosses and ferns will do quite well.
They are called artillery ferns because they shoot seeds with a popping soundand sometimes for quite a distance.
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Despite that explosive trait, these plants are delicate and have a lovely, interesting texture.
This plant thrives in a closed terrarium, as it favors the humid environment.
The leaves of the aluminum plant have almost iridescent white markings that make them shine.
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This plant grows fairly quickly, so you might have to pinch it back occasionally.
The aluminum plant is easy to root as well.
Simply take a small cutting and plant it in moist soil.
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This plant is cheerful and comes in pink, red, and silver varieties.
For this reason, the polka dot plant favors the controlled microclimate of a closed terrarium.
A closed terrarium will plant growth in check, preventing the need for extra maintenance.
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If it is not receiving enough light, the leaves will stay folded even during the day.
Prune it back regularly so it does not become unruly, and your pothos should look good for years.
It can also handle low-light conditions and is easy to propagate by rooting the stems in water.
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All species in the Epipremnum genus are considered toxic tocatsand dogs.
Ripple Plant
There are about 1,000 peperomia cultivars.
This small, slow-growing plant does beautifully in closed warm, and humid terrariums.
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Peperomia also sometimes produces cool-looking flower spikes.
If you are lucky, these showy flowers add color to your terrarium.
In a closed terrarium, this low-growing plant behaves quite well.
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Hailing from New Zealand, it’s hardy and drought-tolerant.
It is slightly mop-headed, but also kind of delicate and elegant at the same time.
Because button fern can tolerate periodically dry soil, an open terrarium will suit this plant just fine.
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The creeping fig prefers a warm, moist environment and will grow well in a closed terrarium.
you could easily propagate creeping figs by rooting branch cuttings in water.
Keep in mind that creeping fig can be toxic to pets.
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Croton
A small croton (Codiaeum variegatum) can add some bling to your terrarium.
Its shiny, thick leaves come in an array of amazing colors and shapes.
Be careful where you plant, as crotons are toxic to humans and animals.
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Hens and chicks are not the only succulents that look great in a terrarium.
It stores water in the terrarium for other plants and works well in open and closed terrariums.
Air Plants
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An air plant (Tillandsia spp.)
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The plant will absorb water and nutrients through its leaves.
This compact flowering plant is ideal for closed terrariums.
The African violet prefers a terrarium temperature between 65 and 85 degrees.
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It can be used as the main plant in the terrarium because of its beautiful variegated leaves.
These delicate plants are difficult to grow indoors unless they are grown in a terrarium or greenhouse.
For that reason, a medium to large terrarium is ideal.
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However, dont be afraid to trim the fronds if the plant begins to outgrow the space.
Venus Flytrap
Carnivorous plants thrive in high humidity, making them an excellent choice for closed terrariums.
Due to its compact size, the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is a popular choice.
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Its characterized by frond-like foliage that is edged with bright white tips.
Opt for closed terrariums for this moss to provide it with the humidity it needs to survive.
Living Stones
Due to their small size, living stones (Lithops spp.)
The Spruce / Anastasiia Tretiak
are great for open terrariums.
Their unique shape and rock-like appearance will add a quirky touch to any terrarium space.
These otherworldly-looking plants develop showy flowers in the fall and winter, adding fun color to your terrarium.
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Like allsucculents, they are sensitive to overwatering and do best with well-draining soil and infrequent watering.
This pilea is a high-humidity plant, making it ideal for closed terrariums.
Keep the soil evenly moist to prevent this plant from drying out.
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They are slow-growing and look like small aloe plants with similarly-shaped foliage and growth habits.
There are many different kinds of Haworthia to choose from, with the most popular beingH.
These desert plants do best in warm temperatures, bright indirect light to full sun, and infrequent watering.
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Keep the soil evenly moist and provide this plant withmedium to bright indirect lightto keep it happy.
Their textured leaves, colorful petioles, and interesting growth habit add visual interest to any terrarium setup.
The roots of begonias may be toxic to some animals.
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Pair it with other tropical plants rather than succulents like hens and chicks orLithops, which require drier conditions.
It enjoys medium to high humidity, making it a great choice for open or closed terrariums.
When these plants are happy they shoot unique-looking flower spikes to spice up your terrarium setup.
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Air-tight terrariums don’t attract bugs, but open terrariums can be affected by gnats, mites, ormealybugs.
Overwatering is usually the cause, so keep your terrarium balanced to ward off invaders.
Keep an eye on the moisture levels in the terrarium and be careful not to overwater.
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Established closed terrariums may need very little water since they develop their own ecosystem.
The lifespan of terrarium plants depends greatly upon their conditions and care.
“Golden Pothos.”
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North Carolina State Extension.
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