Choosing Terrarium Plants

Making a terrarium is even easier with this helpful guide to choosing terrarium plants.

Growing terrarium plants is a fun hobby that kids love. And terrariums are a great way to bring plants indoors.

Growing terrarium plants is also easy as can be. In a closed terrarium, plants will hardly ever need watering and can grow effort-free for years.

Moss Flower Arrangement

What You Need

Succulents, violets, moss and many tropical plants grow well in terrariums—just make sure your plant choices all have the same watering needs.

Photo by: Photo by Heidi Geldhauser. Design by Lindsay Coletta.

Photo by Heidi Geldhauser. Design by Lindsay Coletta.

Succulents, violets, moss and many tropical plants grow well in terrariums—just make sure your plant choices all have the same watering needs.

Basic Terrarium Plant Tips

But which plants do best in these pint-sized gardens? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Generally speaking you want to pick plants that can tolerate humidity, since the enclosed nature of a terrarium traps in moisture. Also keep in mind that terrarium plants need to be able to tolerate low or indirect light.

  • Choose plants that are small enough for your terrarium. You don’t want the plants' leaves to touch the sides of the container.

  • Succulents and cacti can grow in a terrarium, but it’s best to use an open container that will retain less humidity. You should also add some sand to the potting mix to mimic the plants’ native environment.

Terrarium Plant Choices

There are many great choices for terrarium plants, but here are some favorites:

  • Moss: Mosses are a common terrarium staple as they’re easy to find and easy to grow. Scottish and Irish moss are two popular, hardy choices.

  • Baby’s Tears: Also called Angel’s Tears, this plant is made up of tiny leaves that look great in a small scale. It grows abundantly which can be a problem in an outdoor garden, but it does well contained in a terrarium.

  • African Violet: This desirable, purple-blossomed plant can be difficult to grow in an open pot. They require a humid, warm environment. A terrarium makes it easy to provide both. Plant first in potting soil, then enclose the plant in a closed glass container.

  • Creeping Fig: A dwarf variety of this tree-like plant can look like a tiny forest inside your terrarium. Creeping figs will tolerate some shade and/or indirect light. They grow quickly, but can be pruned back with ease.

  • Spider Plant: Chlorophytum comosum is one of the easiest houseplants to grow. Spider plants have long, narrow leaves growing in rosettes and they like moist conditions. Also, some studies have shown that spider plant is among a group of plants that improve indoor air quality by absorbing harmful elements in the air.

More Terrarium Plant Options

How to Make Your Terrarium

Excited to start your own terrarium? Find easy step-by-step directions and some design ideas.

Create a Closed-Lid Terrarium

Easy steps for bringing the outdoors inside.

Check out these resources for supplies:

Teresa’s Plants offers everything from tiny decorations to terrarium plants and more.

Two Green Thumbs specializes in miniature gardening, selling miniature trees, tiny plants, furniture, accents and more.

Next Up

How to Make a Raised Planter Box From an Old Desk

See how we upcycled an old desk into a waist-high, garden box perfect for growing lettuces, herbs and other shallow-rooted plants and vegetables.

How to Plan a Vegetable Garden

HGTV can make vegetable garden planning less intimidating with tips on garden design and suggestions on how to choose vegetables to grow.

Companion Planting With Cilantro

Cilantro serves as a powerful companion plant in the vegetable garden, attracting beneficial insects that prey on insect pests of a variety of crops, including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes, beans and more.

How to Grow and Harvest Rosemary

If planted in the right spot, rosemary is very easy to grow. Find expert advice and simple ideas for growing and using rosemary plants.

The Best Tools to Get Kids Hooked on Gardening

Foster an interest in being outside and outdoor gardening with these kid-sized tools.

Grow an Olive Tree

Grow an olive tree indoors and let it take summer vacations outdoors. If your climate is warm, you can even plant it in your garden.

Create a Closed-Lid Terrarium

Easy steps for bringing the outdoors inside.

How to Create a Terrarium

Learn how to create a tabletop terrarium with these simple step-by-step instructions.

Start a Mason Jar Herb Garden

Move your herb garden indoors using recycled canning jars.

HGTV Obsessed Episode 17: Kelly Edwards

This week’s episode is all about gardening. We’ll talk 2021 gardening trends with Kelly Edwards, get veggie-garden advice from Kelly Smith Trimble, then learn spring houseplant care from the Plant Daddies.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.