Choosing the best plants for closed terrariums can be difficult. There are so many amazing options that would look great and thrive well. The terrarium plants listed below are the easiest to grow that even a beginner can achieve success. In closed terrariums, plants rarely need water and will grow happily for years with the smallest care. Terrariums are both decorative and simple to grow. Here are the seven best plants for terrariums.
Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hirt’s Gardens Terrarium/Fairy Garden Kit with 3 Plants | Building your terrarium is a lot easier than you may think! You just need to make sure that you have all the required materials to make one. If you are new to this craft, them this Build Your Own Terrarium kit is the best option for you. It has everything you’ll ever need to create that piece of live home decoration you’ve been dreaming about. | ||
| Exo Terra Terrarium Plant | The Exo Terra Boxwood Bush Rainforest Terrarium Plant is a realistic replica of its natural counterparts. Unlike live plants, these are easier to maintain. This is the best option for you if you don’t have time to take care of delicate indoor plants. | ||
| Plants for Pets 12 Air Plant Variety pack | Add natural beauty to your terrarium using air plants. These terrarium plants don’t need soil to grow so they can flourish in many diverse environments. They only require a moderate amount of light and need watering about once a week, making them the lowest-maintenance plants available! What makes these plants different from other plants is their leaves, which have adapted to absorb water and nutrients from the air. It allows air plants to thrive even when they are suspended in the air or grown atop driftwood and rocks. This is the perfect set of plants to complete your terrarium. | ||
| Plants for Pets 5 Large Ionantha Tillandsia Air Plant Pack | One of the most sought after Tillandsias, this set comes with 5 Ionantha Air Plants that are about 2 to 3.5 inches in size. Colors may vary from green to red. These live plants are the perfect addition to your do it yourself terrarium kits, pots, holders, and hanging planters. They are also a great accessory for other plants like orchids, succulents, and indoor moss. Your air plants are guaranteed to arrive alive and healthy. | ||
| Plants for Pets Succulent Plants – 5-Pack | Every pack of succulents from Plants for Pets is hand-picked. You will receive a unique selection of fully-rooted species to ensure they thrive and last for a long time. Since the company rotates its nursery stock often, so the exact species of succulents change every week. Succulents are the way to go if you don’t have the time to take care of your terrarium. Instead of purchasing artificial plastic plants, getting a succulent doesn’t require much work and can be planted in decorative pots of your choice within seconds. | ||
| Plants for Pets Air Plant Variety Pack | The Plants for Pets Air Plant Variety Pack has the best plants for closed terrariums and gives you all of the elegance with less effort. These air plants do not require soil to live, since these plants thrive even when placed in a glass vase, plant hanger, or a closed terrarium bowl. | ||
| Aquatic Arts Marimo Moss Ball Food | Unlike other Marimo, these moss balls from Aquatic Arts go through a 3-step quality control process where the Marimos are quarantine and treated to eradicate potential pests and parasites, carefully grade each Marimo to remove low-quality specimens, and then gently hand washed to remove most sand and silt. It ensures that this product is free of any contaminants and pests, unlike most Marimo on the market. This Marimo is sustainably harvested in Europe and is 100% natural with no dye, pesticides, or other harmful contaminants. |
Detailed Reviews on the 7 Best Plants for Closed Terrariums
Hirt’s Gardens Terrarium/Fairy Garden Kit with 3 Plants
Building your terrarium is a lot easier than you may think! You just need to make sure that you have all the required materials to make one. If you are new to this craft, this Build Your Own Terrarium kit is the best option for you. It has everything you’ll ever need to create that piece of live home decoration you’ve been dreaming about.
Product Highlights
This set includes three live miniature plants, which might vary depending on the season. You’ll also get sheet moss, natural terrarium potting soil, carbonized charcoal, decorative mulch, and decorative reindeer moss that might also vary in colors. If you don’t know how to put these together, you don’t need to worry. This set comes with complete instructions in creating your living terrarium.
The Good
One important aspect of completing your terrarium is the terrarium itself. For this set, any clear plastic or glass container will do. Just make sure you choose a clear container that’s been cleaned with hot soapy water since tinted or cloudy glass or plastic can reduce the light, which will interfere with plant growth. Everything else you’ll need is included in this set.
The Bad
The Hirt’s Gardens Terrarium/Fairy Garden Kit includes the best plants for closed terrariums. However, only three plant varieties are included, which might not be enough to achieve the terrarium you want. Since the variations depend on per season, you’ll never know what you’ll get. It’s essential to know the kind of plant so that you can give the proper care it needs. Another setback is the terrarium itself. This kit does not include a terrarium, so you’ll need to purchase it separately.
PROs
- 3 live miniature plants, variety depends on the season
- Sheet moss, natural terrarium potting soil
- Carbonized charcoal, decorative mulch
- Decorative reindeer moss
- Complete instructions for creating your living terrarium
CONs
- Includes only 3 live plants, you might need to purchase more
- No terrarium included
- Random plants
Exo Terra Terrarium Plant
The Exo Terra Boxwood Bush Rainforest Terrarium Plant is a realistic replica of its natural counterparts. Unlike live plants, these are easier to maintain. This is the best option for you if you don’t have time to take care of delicate indoor plants.
Product Highlights
With its vibrant green color and lush branches, this plant offers the same advantages as live plants, whether your purpose is decorative, creating hiding spots for your reptiles, or enlarging a dwelling area. All of Exo Terra’s Terrarium plants are equipped with a weighted base to allow more stability and easy setup.
The Good
The plants are easy to clean and quite simple to maintain. The Exo Terra Terrarium Plants are perfect, especially in spaces where live plants won’t thrive. You will still achieve the same impact, feel, and look you’re aiming for with these decorative plants.
The Bad
The Exo Terra Boxwood Bush Rainforest Terrarium Plant is a great alternative for live plants. But, some reptile owners noted that their pets get confused with these plastic plants and try to eat them. They also tend to get knocked over easily, so it would be best to put them in strategic areas where they can get additional support. The top part of the plant can easily be separated from the base, which is a hassle when trying to rearrange or clean the terrarium.
PROs
- Vibrant colors
- Extremely realistic replica
- Weighted base
- Best for terrariums which live plants cannot thrive
CONs
- Plastic plants confuse reptiles
- Knocks over easily
- The top part of the leaves can easily separate from the base
Plants for Pets 12 Air Plant Variety pack
Add natural beauty to your terrarium using air plants. These terrarium plants don’t need soil to grow, so they can flourish in many diverse environments. They only require a moderate amount of light and need watering about once a week, making them the lowest-maintenance plants available! What makes these plants different from other plants is their leaves, which have adapted to absorb water and nutrients from the air. It allows air plants to thrive even when they are suspended in the air or grown atop driftwood and rocks. This is the perfect set of plants to complete your terrarium.
Product Highlights
Air plants are perfect for terrariums and glass containers with holes or gaps to allow maximum airflow. There is a myriad of other creative ways to display air plants. The possibilities are endless! Air plants especially complement river stones, natural-colored gravel, or driftwood. Air plants also make excellent gifts for housewarming or other occasions. For this set, you will receive 12 air plants in a varied assortment of species, each ranging from 2 to 5 inches in size.
The Good
Air plants come in a diversity of shapes, sizes, and colors, though most species primarily feature green leaves. Many of these air plants also display stunning pink blooms. These low-maintenance plants are the best plants for closed terrariums since they won’t depend too much on soil nutrients. Each air plant ranges from 2 to 5 inches in size, the perfect size to fit in a standard terrarium.
The Bad
These air plants set from Plants for Pets are a unique ornament to add to any terrarium. However, due to shipping, some buyers complained about receiving plants that are almost dry and dead. While some received tiny plants that are less than 2 inches tall, these air plants are also a bit expensive, but on a good note, the company helps to shelter pets. So your money definitely goes somewhere worthwhile.
PROs
- Large variety of sizes and species
- Easy to care
- Healthy live arrival guaranteed
CONs
- Shipping caused some of the plants to die
- Some received very small plants
Plants for Pets 5 Large Ionantha Tillandsia Air Plant Pack
One of the most sought-after Tillandsias, this set comes with 5 Ionantha Air Plants that are about 2 to 3.5 inches in size. Colors may vary from green to red. These live plants are the perfect addition to your do-it-yourself terrarium kits, pots, holders, and hanging planters. They are also a great accessory for other plants like orchids, succulents, and indoor moss. Your air plants are guaranteed to arrive alive and healthy.
Product Highlights
Because of their capacity to live without soil, air plants like Tillandsias are practical options for terrariums and fairy gardens. Smaller Tillandsia species, on the other hand, make perfect centerpieces due to their vivid and unique appearance that is sure to draw attention.
The Good
Each set of Tillandsias comes with a complete care guide and tips on promoting optimal health for your plants. Included are instructions for watering, lighting, grooming, fertilizing, pruning, and more. Also included in the kit is information about the growth cycle and reproduction process of air plants. This is a complete set perfect for first-time planters.
The Bad
This set from Plants for Pets comes with tiny, not large, Tillandsia plants. Some buyers also complained about receiving the same species of air plants with no varieties. Most are also pale green and not very attractive and vibrant to look at.
PROs
- 5 Ionantha air plants
- Comes with easy care instructions
- Practical options for terrariums
CONs
- Some received just one kind of air plants, not an assortment
- Sizes are not as advertised
Plants for Pets Succulent Plants – 5-Pack
Every pack of succulents from Plants for Pets is hand-picked. You will receive a unique selection of fully-rooted species to ensure they thrive and last for a long time. Since the company rotates its nursery stock often, so the exact species of succulents change every week. Succulents are the way to go if you don’t have the time to take care of your terrarium. Instead of purchasing artificial plastic plants, getting a succulent doesn’t require much work and can be planted in decorative pots of your choice within seconds.
Product Highlights
Aside from a terrarium, succulents are incredibly versatile plants. You can display them in a plant holder, a geometric glass vase, a wall mount, or even in a live wreath. They will thrive and flourish. Because of their low care requirements, they can also make the classic desk centerpiece for your office.
The Good
This collection of succulents will add beauty to your home without the wearying labor that most other plants require to survive. They need very little water and are much harder to kill. The Plants for Pets succulents are guaranteed to arrive alive and healthy. Each plant comes with the Plants For Pets 30-day guarantee. In case the succulents you receive don’t fit your liking, you can send them back and receive a full refund.
The Bad
Since you’ll get random plants, you’ll never know if the ones you get can suit the look you’d want for your terrariums or fairy gardens. You can’t choose what set of succulents you will get.
PROs
- Comes with extra plants
- Includes care instructions
CONs
- No choice of succulents
- Random sets of succulents
Plants for Pets Air Plant Variety Pack
The Plants for Pets Air Plant Variety Pack has the best plants for closed terrariums and gives you all of the elegance with less effort. These air plants do not require soil to live since these plants thrive even when placed in a glass vase, plant hanger, or a closed terrarium bowl.
Product Highlights
This pre-planted set is perfect for the lazy, as it includes low maintenance of indoor plants that don’t need any fertilizer or plant food. The air plants don’t need soil to live and can remain unpotted. Succulents and air plants are a complementary mix for various planters, such as a glass terrarium or bottle, pot, bowl, or other decorative containers or holders.
The Good
A mix of succulent and air plants can make an ornate decoration for any room in the house. Hang air plants on hooks or a wall hanger, atop a plant stand or tray, or inside sea urchin shells! Just like other products from Plants for Pets, this set also comes with a healthy live arrival guarantee.
The Bad
The random variety air plants might be a bit of a disappointment. If you have a specific target design for your terrarium, it would be better to pre-pick to achieve what you’re aiming for. Some plants also arrived too dry and almost dying due to shipping. But the manufacturer adds an extra plant or two, so not a big problem at all.
PROs
- Air plants are easy to maintain
- Good for terrariums, and for decorations
- Easy to maintain, needs less effort
CONs
- Random variety
- Some plants arrived too dry and almost dead due to shipping
Aquatic Arts Marimo Moss Ball Food
Unlike other Marimo, these moss balls from Aquatic Arts go through a 3-step quality control process where the Marimos are quarantine and treated to eradicate potential pests and parasites, carefully grade each Marimo to remove low-quality specimens, and then gently hand washed to remove most sand and silt. It ensures that this product is free of any contaminants and pests, unlike most Marimo on the market. This Marimo is sustainably harvested in Europe and is 100% natural with no dye, pesticides, or other harmful contaminants.
Product Highlights
Marimo Moss Balls are, without a doubt, the easiest live plant to take care of since they require no special light, CO2 system, or plant fertilizer. Marimo also removes nitrogen and phosphate if placed in an aquarium, increasing water quality and removing algae by competing with algae for nutrient absorption. Marimo can be kept in nearly any freshwater aquarium and are particularly useful in shrimp and snail tanks, as the shrimp and snails love grazing on them for biofilm.
The Good
Marimo Moss Balls are, without a doubt, the easiest live plant to take care of since they require no special light, CO2 system, or plant fertilizer. Marimo also removes nitrogen and phosphate if placed in an aquarium, increasing water quality and removing algae by competing with algae for nutrient absorption. Marimo can be kept in nearly any freshwater aquarium and are particularly useful in shrimp and snail tanks, as the shrimp and snails love grazing on them for biofilm.
The Bad
Marimo Moss Balls are, without a doubt, the easiest live plant to take care of since they require no special light, CO2 system, or plant fertilizer. Marimo also removes nitrogen and phosphate if placed in an aquarium, increasing water quality and removing algae by competing with algae for nutrient absorption. Marimo can be kept in nearly any freshwater aquarium and are particularly useful in shrimp and snail tanks, as the shrimp and snails love grazing on them for biofilm.
PROs
- Comes with an extra Marimo ball
- 3-step quality control process
- Free of all any contaminants and pests
- Sustainably harvested in Europe
CONs
- Some Marimo balls arrived with a foul and stinky odor
- Marimo balls shed after a few weeks
Conclusion
There are so many different terrarium plants to choose from, ranging from affordable and practical to a bit more expensive yet stunning. The key to building a great terrarium lies in the combination of a unique set of plants and components to it attractive and eye-catching. The best plants for closed terrariums might differ depending on your preferred style or motif. We hope that our list helped you decide on which plants to buy to kick start your dream terrarium. Get more tips on terrariums.