by Angie Pollock

Created on: March 20, 2009

Most houseplants that will fit inside a terrarium will thrive excluding those that cannot tolerate high levels of humidity or require quality air circulation. Plants living in an indoor terrarium that is properly maintained generally necessitate less care than in any other environment. These enclosed plant containers provide most of the requirements that houseplants need like humidity, stable temperatures, and pollutant-free air.

A common mistake made with terrarium plants is selecting foliage that is too big for the container. Because there are not enough choices in smaller or even miniature plants, a young plant is often used which like any living species, grow and sometimes grow quite large. This process works but the plants will require regular pruning which can defeat the purpose of having a low maintenance growing environment.

There are many choices that terrarium growers can use that are either "true" miniatures or grow less than six inches every year. These smaller plants are considered tropical and thrive in the humid air of terrariums. A few of the more popular plants for smaller terrariums or to fill in spaces in a larger terrarium include the Miniature spider plant, Earth star, Irish moss, Miniature fern, and the Nerve plant.

Other smaller or slow-growing plants to consider are the Button fern, Creeping fig, Miniature holly, and Miniature sinningia. There is an assortment of larger tropical plants available to plant growers who have larger terrariums, those who do not mind regular pruning, or prefer to change the plants out yearly. These larger plants add variety and height which can add contrast to an indoor terrarium. Some of these larger plants that are prevalent in terrariums consist of the Asparagus fern, Guppy plant, Pothos, Prayer plant, and Miniature African violet.

Other larger plants to consider for your terrarium include the Aluminum plant, Bird's nest fern, English ivy, Ribbon plant, and the Weeping fig. Placing the proper size of plant in a terrarium is sometimes found through trial and error. However, there are some plants that do not do well in these humidity filled containers like succulents and cacti or those that need the air circulation such as orchids and bromeliads.

Terrarium plants are not maintenance-free plants. Many can grow quickly in these types of containers and may need pruning more often or replaced when they grow too big for the space. By regularly trimming back larger plants, removing dead foliage, and replacing plants that are taking up too much room, the plants in your terrarium will thrive and flourish in their environment.

References:

HOUSEPLANTS FOR DUMMIES, by Larry Hodgson and the Editors of The Naitonal Gardening Association, copyright 1998.

THE HOUSE PLANT EXPERT, by Dr. D.G. Hessayon, copyright 1994.

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