15 Best Plants for a Closed Terrarium that are Ideal for a Beginner
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Plants that are ideal for a closed terrarium are moisture-loving or humidity-loving plants which require a constantly warm, moist atmosphere to thrive.
A closed terrarium or bottle garden is always more humid than the surrounding atmosphere which makes it an ideal environment to grow the delicate moisture-loving plants.
A terrarium is one of the common methods by which you can display your indoor plants. Closed terrariums create miniature ecosystems which recycle moisture, require minimal maintenance, and are perfect for beginners.
Choosing the right plants for a closed terrarium is crucial as not all plants can thrive in a sealed environment. Ideal closed terrarium plants should be slow-growing, moisture-loving, tolerant of low to indirect light, compact in size, and resistant to mold and rot.
With this in mind, we have herebelow outlined for your 15 of the best plants for a closed terrarium that are perfect for a beginner.
15 Beginner-friendly Plants for a Closed Terrarium
Beginner-friendly plants for a closed terrarium are Creeping Fig, Fittonia, Polka Dot, Selaginella, Parlour Palm, Maranta, Earth Star Bromeliads, Aluminium Plant among others.
1. Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)
Creeping Fig also called Climbing Fig is among slow-growingFicus varieties and is useful as a trailer or climber in a terrarium as it produces a dense, green carpet and is one of the best ground covers.
Ficus pumila prefers medium to bright indrect light (filtered light) and warm and humid conditions like those present in a closed terrarium.
Ficus pumila requires the soil to be consistently moist, which is a common feature in closed terrariums. If you would like to learn how to grow for this plant in ordinary room conditions, check out our guide on Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila) Care and Propagation.
2. Nerve Plant (Fittonia)
Nerve plant is a popular, moisture-loving plant that is highly adaptable to low-light conditions which make it perfect for a closed terrarium.
Nerve Plant also called Net Plant, Lace leaf or Snakeskin is easily recognisable by its leaves which bear a network of white, pink or red veins. These striking colors are magnificient in a terrarium.
In room conditions, Fittonia thrives in medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 15-270C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in spring and summer. Learn more on how to grow and care for Nerve Plant (Fittonia).
3. Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Chamaedorea elegans is among the popular Indoor Palms and will adapt to a wide range of growing conditions including low light, warm and moist environments which are common features in a closed terrarium.
Parlour Palm is a slow-growing palm reaching a height of 2 feet only which qualifies it for a closed terrarium and other limited spaces.
Under room conditions Chamaedorea elegans grows best in bright indirect light, warmth of 15-280C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans).
4. Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
Polka Dot also called Freckle Face Plant is a low-growing plant with beautifully-colored foliage that will add a splash of color in a terrarium. It has a high affinity for warm, humid conditions which ideal for a closed terrarium.
Freckle Face Plant comes in many varieties like Pink splash which is green and pale pink. Red splash which is green and red. White splash which is green and white among others and are spectacular in a terrarium.
To successfully grow Hypoestes phyllostachya in room conditions, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight, warmth of 18-240C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya).
5. Creeping Moss (Selaginella)
Creeping Moss is a creeping plant with simple, scale-like leaves borne on branching stems from which the roots arise. It is ideal for a terrarium because its tiny leaves often shrivel in dry room conditions.
The trailing species of Selaginella like Selaginella uncinata (Blue-green Peacock Fern), Selaginella apoda and Selaginella kraussiana aurea are especially perfect for a closed terrarium.
Creeping Moss will also flourish in ordinary room conditions when given bright indirect light, warmth of 18-280C, humidity of 70-80% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Creeping Moss (Selaginella).
6. Brown Spiderwort (Siderasis fuscata)
Brown Spiderwort or Bear Ears Plant is a compact, moisture-loving plant whose short, bronze-colored leaves form a rosette. The spectacular, bronze-colored foliage will add a contrast to the greenery in a closed terrarium.
Brown Spiderwort can grow to a height of 1-1.5 feet and the leaves are only about 6-8 inches long which make ideal for a closed terrarium and other small spaces.
To grow Siderasis fuscata in room conditions, provide medium indirect light, warmth of 18-270C, humidity of 70-80% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Brown Spiderwort (Siderasis fuscata).
7. Maranta Plants (Maranta leuconeura)
Maranta Plants are low-growing, humidity-loving plants with spectacularly patterned leaves which make them an excellent addition of color in a closed terrarium.
Some Maranta varieties you can choose from are Maranta tricolor (Herringbone Plant) with prominent red leaf veins, Maranta leuconeura kerchoveana (Rabbit's Tracks) with brown leaf blotches which turn green with age and Maranta leuconeura massangeana with blackish green leaves and silvery veins.
If you are looking to grow Maranta in room conditions, provide medium indirect light, warmth of 16-280C, humidity of 60-80% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Maranta Plants (Maranta leuconeura).
8. Calathea fasciata (Goeppertia fasciata)
Calathea fasciata is among favored Calathea varieties on account ot its glossy, orb-shaped, deep-green leaves with lime-green rib variegation and purple undersides.
It grows in clumps to a height of about 1-2 feet in warm, humid conditions. On account of its compact size and affinity for moist conditions, Goeppertia fasciata along with its cousins Calathea vittata (Goeppertia elliptica), Calathea picturata (Goeppertia picturata) and Calathea bachemiana (Goeppertia bachemiana) are some of the best plants for a closed terrarium.
Calathea fasciata does well in room conditions when given, medium indirect light, warmth of 17-260C, humidity of 60-80% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Calathea fasciata (Goeppertia fasciata).
9. Earth Stars Bromeliads (Cryptanthus Bromeliads)
Cryptanthus Bromeliads are stemless, terrestrial, low-growing, moisture-loving Bromeliad varieties with small, wavy-edged, colorful leaves making them colorful plants in a terrarium.
Earth Stars are a unique group of Bromeliads in that they only grow terrestrially in soil. Unlike other Bromeliads, their root systems are more developed and do well in well-drained, moisture-holding soils.
Earth Star Bromeliads flourish indoors in bright indirect light, warmth of 18-260C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained potting soils coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Earth Stars Bromeliads (Cryptanthus Bromeliads).
10. Polynesian Ivy Vine (Pellionia repens)
Polynesian Ivy Vine is a moisture-loving, low-growing vine which bears beautifully shaped and colored leaves. Each leaf has a pale central band and the outer margin may be olive or bronzy-green which offer a sight to behold in a terrarium.
Pellionia repens and its cousin Pellionia pulchra (Satin Pellionia) are a great choice for a closed terrarium due to their requirement for warm humid conditions.
Polynesian Ivy Vine growing in room conditions requires, medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 18-240C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained potting mixes coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Polynesian Ivy Vine (Pellionia repens).
11. Alocasia 'Black Velvet' (Alocasia reginula)
Alocasia 'Black Velvet' also called Little Queen is among the popular Alocasia varieties and bears broad, heart-shaped, dark-green leaves with a velvety background, pale green, white or silver veins and reddish undersides.
Little Queen and its cousins Alocasia cuprea (Jewel Alocasia) and Alocasia X amazonica 'Polly' (African Mask) are some of the best plants for a closed terrarium on account of their compact size and affinity for high humidity.
Alocasia reginula will blossom in ordinary room conditions when given, medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 16-270C, humidity to 60-80% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained potting soils coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Alocasia 'Black Velvet' (Alocasia reginula).
12. Aluminium Plant (Pilea cadierei)
Aluminium Plant or Watermelon Pilea is an evergreen, humidity-loving plant and bears dark-green oval leaves, each bearing raised silvery patches.
Watermelon Pilea is a low-growing plant which grows to a height of 1 foot only and 18 inches wide. Based on its foliage and compact size, it is perfect for a closed terrarium.
Pilea cadierei will thrive in bright indirect light (filtered light), warmth of 18-260C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Aluminium Plant (Pilea cadierei).
13. Baby's Tears Plant (Soleirolia soleirolii)
Baby's Tears Plant also called Angel's Tears Plant or Mind Your Own Business features green or yellow tiny leaves which are slightly stalked and about 5mm across.
Baby's Tears Plant grows in small clumps to form mossy mounds with a requirement for highly humid and warm conditions, which can be maintained inside a closed terrarium.
To grow Soleirolia soleirolii indoors successfully, give it bright indirect light, warmth of 15-240C, humidity of 70-80% and consistently moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Baby's Tears Plant (Soleirolia soleirolii).
14. Beetle Peperomia (Peperomia angulata)
Beetle Peperomia also called Beetle Raditor Plant is among low-growing Peperomia varieties and bears fragile reddish stems and fleshy, glossy, oval-shaped, dark-green leaves with light green lines.
On account of its compact size and affinity for high humidity, Peperomia angulata and its relatives Peperomia caperata (Emerald Ripple Peperomia), Peperomia argyreia (Watermelon Peperomia), Peperomia glabella (Wax Privet Peperomia), Peperomia orba (Teardrop Peperomia) and Peperomia clusiifolia (Peperomia Ginny) are among popular plants for a closed terrarium.
Indoors, give Peperomia angulata medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained potting mix coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Beetle Peperomia (Peperomia angulata).
15. Lemon Button Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Duffii')
Lemon Button Fern also called Button Sword Fern, Fishbone Fern or Little-leaved Sword Fern is a compact, small-sized, hardy fern which bears gracefully drooping stems.
On account of its compact growth and requirement for warm, humid conditions, Little-leaved Sword Fern like Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum raddianum) is perfect for a terrarium where these conditions can be provided.
To triumphantly grow Lemon Button Fern in room conditions, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 15-250C, humidity of 70-80% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Lemon Button Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Duffii')
What is a Closed Terrarium?
A closed terrarium is a glass or transparent container inside which plants are grown. The top is naturally restricted or covered with a transparent material.
The closed terrarium completely surrounds the plants and as a result keeps off the plant-killing drafts.
The air within a closed terrarium is always moister than the room atmosphere which makes it perfect for growing the delicate plants which may require high humidity and protection from drafts.
Some containers that are ideal for a closed terrarium include a fish tank, a large bottle or even a large mixing bowl.
The only requirement is to have transparent sides and a restricted opening or an opening that can be covered with a transparent material. There are many types of beautiful closed terrariums on Amazon to choose from.
How to Select Plants for a Closed Terrarium
While selecting plants for a closed terrarium, select a variety of plants that vary in height, growth habits and texture in order to have an interesting landscape.
Select plants that have close or similar light requirements inorder to make it easier to maintain your plants thriving.
Avoid flowering plants as flowering plants have different light requirements through out the year.
If you select flowering plants for your closed terrarium, it will be difficult to remove dead flowers when they are spent.
Most flowers also require good air circulation in order to prevent powdery mildew and fungal diseases, a situation that is not feasible in a closed terrarium.
How to Prepare Plants for a Closed Terrarium
To prepare the plants for the terrarium; pinch off the growing tips and prune tall and spreading types to minimize their size. Remove dead and yellow foliage.
Check the plants for pest and disease infestations; do not use any infested plant as using them will introduce these infestations in the terrarium environment and they will be difficult to control.
How to Care for a Closed Terrarium
The two most fundamental care practices for a closed terrarium are watering and light requirements. Keep reading for more on these two practices.
How to water plants in a closed terrarium
Ensure the soil is moist at all times; water sparingly. In most cases if the terrarium is well covered, watering will not be necessary as there is minimal evaporation and the plants form their own ecosystem inside the terrarium.
If there is condensation on the inside of the glass soon after planting, open the terrarium to allow excess moisture to evaporate.
Light for plants in a closed terrarium
Place the terrarium in a bright spot but away from direct sunshine to avoid cooking the plants. Plants in a terrarium can also thrive under artificial light.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are closed terrariums good for beginners?
Yes. Closed terrariums are low-maintenance and self-sustaining, making them ideal for beginners.
2. How long do closed terrariums last?
With proper care, a closed terrarium can last years without replanting.
3. Can closed terrariums survive without sunlight?
Closed terrariums need bright indirect light but not direct sunlight. Low light is tolerated but may slow growth.
4. How often should I water a closed terrarium?
Rarely does a closed terrarium need watering. If condensation is visible, no watering is needed.
5. Do closed terrariums need airflow?
No. Closed terrariums are designed to recycle air and moisture internally.
6. Do closed terrariums attract mold?
Mold can appear in closed terrariums if overwatered. Proper drainage and minimal watering prevent this issue.
7. Can Pothos grow in a closed terrarium?
No. Pothos grows too fast and requires airflow, making it unsuitable for closed terrariums.
