10 Best Terrarium Plants for Indoor and Outdoor Terrariums
Are you a gardener and want to bring outdoor gardens indoors
Or an urbanite looking for a green piece of land in the concrete jungle that
surrounds you? Terrarium plants are the perfect solution!
Terrariums, not to be confused with pitchers, are mini
vegetable ecosystems that grow in a glass jar. They have taken the gardening
world by storm and it is easy to see why. First of all, they are unpretentious
in service. Second, they fit easily on the countertop. And third, they are a
delightful addition to any home.
Terrariums created from cacti, succulents, or tropical
plants are self-contained. This means that they are fairly easy to care for –
as long as you give them the right dose of sunlight and water. Plus, these
miniature gardens can flourish for years!
But before you bring a glass jar and start growing your
terrarium, you need to choose the right plants for your mini ecosystem. Keep
reading to know more about it…
What are terrarium plants?
Terrarium plants are small, slow-growing plants placed in a
glass container. And if you don't know how to take good care of indoor plants,
they are the best way to surround yourself with greenery.
Terrariums can make interior spaces livelier and more
attractive. They are also quite versatile in size - you can make them large or
minimal.
So if you are new here are some terrarium plant ideas to
help you get started:
- Use a variety of glass containers, such as bell jars, open bowls, light bulbs, and jars.
- Grow plants like ferns, carnivorous plants, air plants, and succulents in your terrarium. They can live in small closed spaces.
- Create captivating landscapes, from a mossy forest and a whimsical fairy garden to a cactus desert and a tropical jungle.
- Add decorative elements like shells, glass pebbles, and driftwood to your little plant world.
- The best terrarium plants.
- As a general rule, the best plants for a terrarium are small and slow growing. You don't want them touching the sides of your boat.
- Apart from that, there are endless options for terrarium plants, so which one to choose? Light. Choosing the best terrarium plants depends on: Is your terrarium open or closed?
- Open terrariums ideal for plants that prefer dry conditions. Succulents, air plants and cacti thrive in them.
- closed terrariums have their own mini climate. They are best suited for humidity and thermophilic plants such as ferns, mosses and orchids.
Tip: Since your plants will be living in the same
habitat, make sure they have the same light and moisture needs.
outdoor terrarium plants
Open terrariums are a great way to start. They promote
better air exchange for the plants and you don't have to worry about
condensation problems. Also, they have a low risk of mold and rot .
Keep in mind that plants in open terrariums prefer drier
environments. These terrariums are also suitable for plants that need direct
sunlight.
Here are some plants that thrive in open terrariums:
Air Plants (Tillandsia)
Air plants don't need soil to thrive. They attach to a host
to survive and absorb water and nutrients through their leaves. They are not
only a beautiful addition to the terrarium, but also succulent Plants with
thick, fleshy foliage. If you often forget to water your plants, then these
plants are for you: they can grow with little water. Many succulents stay
small, allowing them to live in a terrarium for years without repotting.
Tip: Overwatering your succulents will cause their roots to
rot. Water them only once a week.
Button Fern (Pallaea Rotundifolia)
Button ferns are drought tolerant, unlike other members of
the fern family. Due to their perennial nature and beautiful round, leathery
foliage, they have become a popular terrarium plant.
Tip: Button ferns prefer dim light in summer and bright,
diffused light in winter.
Cacti
If you want to create a desert landscape in your terrarium,
get some cacti! These plants cannot survive in closed terrariums with high
humidity and poor ventilation. So make sure you have a medium to large hole in
your container.
Note: Cactyls look great in open terrariums, but they don't
live long. This is due to the fact that plants need regular airflow and low
humidity for normal growth.
Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
Jade plants are usually well kept as bonsai for terrariums.
Since they need frequent watering, an open terrarium is suitable for them. A
simple rule of thumb is to water jade plants when the topsoil is nearly dry.
Tip: Since jade plants are considered a symbol of good luck,
place them on your desk.
Plants in a closed terrarium
Closed terrariums are a bit more difficult to care for. But
they are worth all your effort. Since they are closed, they are more like small
self-contained gardens.
You can build your indoor terrarium of tropical plants that
love moisture and heat. Keep in mind that tropics will eventually outgrow their
container, so you 'll have to repot them.
Here are some hardy indoor terrarium plants:
Peperomia (Peperomia pellucida)
Peperomyagenus has short and compact plants. Some have green
leaves, while others have white or red leaves. These tropical plants thrive in
moist conditions.
Note: There are more mosses and the closed terrariums are
perfectly combined with each other. This is because they are slow growing and
love moisture and low light. Also, they don't take up a lot of vertical space
and don't compete with other plants.
Tip: Carpet mosses, such as java moss and feather moss, are
best for covering your terrarium, giving it the look of a natural forest.
Nerve plants (Fittonia)
Nerves are colorful tropical plants. They love warm
temperatures, high humidity, and partial shade.
Because these plants reach a maximum height of 10 to 15
centimeters, they are ideal for confined terrariums.
ferns
Most ferns prefer to grow in a warm, humid environment in a
closed terrarium. Lemon fern and maidenhair fern are two popular small ferns.
Cover them to add dimension to your terrarium.
Tip: Regular pruning of your ferns will encourage their
growth.
Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes Phyllostachya)
Daub will brighten up your terrarium with a delightful polka
dot plant. This warm, moisture-loving plant has pink, purple, red, or white
spots on the green leaves.
Tip: Regular pruning of your ferns will encourage
their growth.
Comments
Post a Comment