Terrarium Plants
Miscanthus sinensis
Miscanthus sinensis, commonly known as Zebra grass, is an ornamental grass with arching, striped green and white foliage. It forms a 4-foot wide mound and produces tan plumes in late summer, remaining attractive into early spring. This grass is native to eastern Asia and is popular for its graceful appearance and ability to thrive in a variety of garden settings.
Gelasine elongata
Gelasine elongata is a South American plant with foliage resembling a small sabal palm. It features pleated grey-green leaves and produces 20-inch tall stalks with clusters of dark violet-blue flowers in May and June.
Lepismium houlletianum
Lepismium houlletianum is an epiphytic cactus native to the subtropical and tropical moist forests of Argentina and Brazil. It is known for its cascading, pendulate growth and small bell-like flowers. This plant is threatened by habitat loss and thrives in its natural forest environment.
Begonia 'Steve's Leaves Moonwalk'
Begonia 'Steve's Leaves Moonwalk' is a unique hybrid plant known for its striking leaves with small bullae and bright green veins. It thrives in high humidity environments, making it ideal for terrariums or greenhouses.
Polystichum polyblepharum
Polystichum polyblepharum is a striking evergreen fern known for its dark, lacily-cut fronds that form a deer-resistant clump about 2 feet wide. This plant, native to Japan and South Korea, thrives in rich, well-drained soil and can tolerate dry conditions but not waterlogged soils or full sun. Its unique name, meaning 'many eyelashes,' reflects the intricate texture of its fronds. It provides excellent textural contrast in woodland gardens and maintains its beauty throughout winter. Awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, it is a reliable choice for shaded or dappled shade areas.
Cephalotaxus 'Prostrata'
Cephalotaxus 'Prostrata' is a low-growing evergreen conifer with a gracefully mounding growth habit. It tolerates shade, heat, pollution, and drought, making it a versatile choice for ground cover, rock gardens, and woodland gardens.
Ipomoea batatas 'Ace Of Spades'
Ipomoea batatas 'Ace Of Spades' is a fast-growing sweet potato species from Brazil, known for its purple heart-shaped leaves. It requires minimal ventilation and humidity, thriving in moist soil and sphagnum moss. This plant is easy to propagate from stem breaks and adds a tropical touch to gardens.
Hydrangea arborescens 'Hayes Starburst'
Hydrangea arborescens 'Hayes Starburst' features star-like florets that bloom from May until the first frost. It requires some sun for optimal performance and thrives in well-draining, sunny locations. The serrated leaves provide a striking contrast to the greenish-white blooms.
Lilaeopsis mauritiana
Lilaeopsis mauritiana is a thin-leaf variant of Lilaeopsis Brasiliensis, ideal for creating a lush, grassy foreground in aquariums. It grows quickly under high light and CO2 conditions, forming a dense, carpet-like effect. This plant is relatively undemanding and can grow emersed, making it versatile for different aquarium setups. It is sold as a tissue culture cup, ensuring it is free from snails, algae, pathogens, and bacteria. Regular trimming helps maintain its lawn-like appearance.
Pilea ovalis
A fast-growing species from Central and South America, this plant is known for its amazing leaf patterns. It prefers bright, indirect light and moderate humidity but tolerates lower light conditions and does not require much ventilation. Moist soil and sphagnum moss help with rooting, and it can be pruned to create plantlets, making it easy to propagate.
Goeppertia roseopicta 'Little Princess'
Goeppertia roseopicta 'Little Princess' is a charming plant known for its air-purifying qualities. Its leaves curl up at night and unfurl in the morning, adding a dynamic element to its appearance. It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight and requires a moist, high-humidity environment.
Utricularia longifolia
Utricularia longifolia is a large perennial carnivorous plant native to Brazil, known for its beautiful deep purple blooms and slender green leaves. It thrives in wet, humid conditions and is popular among carnivorous plant enthusiasts.
Utricularia blanchetii
Utricularia blanchetii is a perennial bladderwort with small, narrow leaves and tiny bladder traps for catching small critters. It produces lilac-colored flowers with dark purple tops and bright yellow throats in spring and fall. This plant prefers sandy peat that is constantly moist and is ideal for terrariums and greenhouses.
Rhipsalis pachyptera
Rhipsalis pachyptera, native to Brazil, is a spineless, freely branched epiphytic cactus that can grow up to 5 feet long. It features flat, green stems sometimes tinged with red and produces creamy-yellow or whitish flowers followed by white fruits.
Anubias barteri var. glabra
Anubias barteri var. glabra is a versatile aquatic plant known for its long, slender leaves and adaptability to various water conditions. Originating from West Africa, it thrives in both aquariums and terrariums, making it a popular choice for hobbyists. This hardy plant can grow submerged or emersed and is best attached to hard surfaces like rocks or driftwood. It requires low to medium light and does not need CO2, although CO2 can enhance its growth. Anubias barteri is a slow grower, which makes it less demanding in terms of maintenance. It is susceptible to algae growth under high lighting, so care should be taken to manage light exposure. Propagation is simple, achieved by separating the rhizomes. Its ability to provide cover for fish and fry adds to its appeal in aquascaping.
Sedum 'Little Miss Sunshine'
Sedum 'Little Miss Sunshine' is a compact succulent known for its rich black-green foliage and bright yellow flowers that bloom in midsummer. This vigorous grower forms a 6-inch tall mound that can spread up to 20 inches wide. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for rock gardens and green roofs. The plant's vibrant flowers and glossy foliage provide a striking contrast in any garden setting.
Begonia 'Frosty'
Begonia 'Frosty' is a bushy, erect plant with succulent stems and everblooming single white flowers. It has bronze, shiny leaves and thrives in moist soil and humidity, tolerating full sun but not cold weather.
Rhododendron 'Hino Crimson'
This short shrub features fiery red flowers that appear in mid-spring and last until summer. Its foliage stays green in summer and turns bronze and red in fall. The plant grows best in partial shade and prefers moist, humus-rich acidic soil that drains well. It grows 2-3 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide and makes a great container plant.
Bulbophyllum odoratissimum
Bulbophyllum odoratissimum is a fragrant orchid species with small, delicate yellow and brown flowers. It thrives in warm, humid conditions and is ideal for terrariums.
Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea'
Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea', also known as Golden Creeping Jenny, is a low-growing groundcover with dime-sized golden leaves. It can be grown submerged or emersed and is common in flooded areas, though it can be invasive. This plant produces small yellow flowers and prefers a bit of morning sun for its golden color.
Salvia glutinosa
Salvia glutinosa is a herbaceous perennial native to Central and East Europe and West Asia. It features bright green, hairy leaves and pale yellow flowers speckled with maroon, blooming from June to September. The plant grows in forested areas, preferring shade or partial shade, and forms a clump about 3-4 feet wide and 3 feet tall. Its sticky glandular hairs and unique flower coloration make it a distinctive addition to gardens.
Alsobia dianthiflora
Alsobia dianthiflora is a charming plant native to Mexico, known for its delicate white flowers and frilled green leaves. It thrives in moist conditions with high light, making it ideal for vivariums or as a houseplant. This plant has a trailing growth habit and is easily propagated in sphagnum moss. It is important to avoid standing water on its leaves to prevent damage.
Peperomia meridana
Peperomia meridana, also known as 'Pixie' or 'Green Valley', is a compact plant from Central America with stiff, dark green leaves and deep ridges. It is popular for terrariums and small pots, preferring shade to partial shade and dry soil between waterings.
Drosera darwinensis
Drosera darwinensis is a carnivorous plant native to the Northern Territory of Australia, known for its large circular traps that turn red under strong light. It prefers hot temperatures, high humidity, and a mix of peat and perlite, making it a unique addition to plant collections.
Ipomoea batatas 'Bright Eyes Black'
Ipomoea batatas 'Bright Eyes Black' is a fast-growing terrestrial plant from Brazil, recognized for its purple heart-shaped leaves. It thrives in moist soil and high humidity environments, making it suitable for terrariums or tropical-themed gardens. This plant is easy to propagate from stem breaks, allowing for quick expansion in suitable conditions. Ipomoea batatas 'Bright Eyes Black' adds a vibrant splash of color with its striking foliage, making it a popular choice for gardeners looking to enhance their plant collections with unique and colorful species.
Begonia limprichtii
Begonia limprichtii is a terrarium species native to China, featuring ovate green leaves with red trichomes. It prefers bright, indirect light and moderate to high humidity, making it ideal for enclosed environments.
Liatris squarrosa
Liatris squarrosa, commonly known as the scaly blazingstar, is a native perennial to eastern and central North America. It thrives in dry or rocky areas and produces purple flowerheads in summer. This unique blazing star grows over 2 feet tall and prefers well-drained, alkaline soils.
Begonia 'Monica'
Begonia 'Monica' is a houseplant with dark leaves featuring bright spots and splashes, adding a pop of color to indoor spaces. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, making it suitable for containers and terrariums. Its unique foliage makes it a popular choice for plant enthusiasts.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Souvenior De Presidente Doumer'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Souvenior De Presidente Doumer' is a mid-season standout for shaded areas, known for its small petaled, rounded flowers in dark maroon reds, purples, and deep cobalt blue. Bred in France in 1932, it thrives with morning sun and midday shade.
Scutellaria salviifolia
Scutellaria salviifolia is a charming plant native to the dry regions of Central Turkey, thriving at elevations up to 9,000 feet. It forms a 1-foot tall by 2-foot wide patch of quilted green leaves and produces butter-yellow flowers from mid-April. This plant is well-suited for rock gardens and requires full sun with good drainage. Its drought tolerance and deer resistance make it a practical choice for xeriscaping and low-maintenance gardens.