Not sure what plants to choose for a closed terrarium? We can help!
The huge choice of plants available for closed terrariums can make your task of choosing the right ones quite daunting. I wanted to make things a little easier for you with our top 10 picks for closed terrarium plants and what mix you should go for.
To start – think about the shape of your terrarium container.
What’s the shape of your container? Is it tall, a globe perhaps? Does it have a very narrow opening to access the inside? This should be your first point of reference when choosing the right plants to suit your terrarium. For example, if the opening is very tight, do not choose plants with very broad leaves, go for Ferns, Vines and perhaps a Peperomia (more on those later).
For tall terrariums, it’s important to have at least one plant that has height. Asparagus ferns are out go-to for this purpose. If you have more floor space than height, consider creeping plants such as miniature ivy and moss.
Next, think about composition.
Consider the following 3 aspects:
The Thrill – a focal point to your terrarium. This could be a tall plant, something colourful. In general, it’s the plant that will draw your attention first.
The Fill – plants that will add body and a backdrop to your terrarium and fill it out. Moss can also work well for this purpose.
The Spill – In short, this is the groundcover. Creepers and vines that sprawl outwards rather than upwards.
Our top terrarium plant picks
Now, lets delve into our top 10 terrarium plants, tried and tested by the team at The Art of Succulents
1. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus plumosus)
Feathery, soft, and a little bit fancy, the asparagus fern is perfect for adding a little hight or focal point. It brings a lush, ethereal texture that softens any terrarium scene.
Pros: Fast grower, thrives in humidity, brings soft structure.
Care: Prune if it gets a little too tall for you terrarium.
2. Peperomia (Peperomia caperata / obtusifolia)
Peperomia is basically the go to plant of the terrarium world—adorable AND well-behaved. With textured leaves that look hand-carved and a low, tidy form, it’s a terrarium design dream.
Pros: Tons of leaf shapes and colours, slow grower, low fuss.
Care: Ensure soil is not too soggy.
3. Tradescantia (Tradescantia cerinthoides)
Metallic purple and silver stripes? Yes please. Tradescantia brings serious flair to any setup and plays well with others.
Pros: Gorgeous trailing habit, very easy to propagate.
Care: It can be quite a fast grower so regular trimming is recommended.
4. Pilea (Pilea depressa)
Pilea has a cheerful feel with its round, textured or tiny cascading leaves, it adds softness and movement to your terrarium.
Pros: Fast to root, loves humidity, adorable.
Care: Perhaps better suited to larger terrariums as it likes a bit of air flow.
5. Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis)
Fittonia’s vibrant veining is basically plant fireworks—reds, pinks, whites, all in neat little leaf packages. It’s a statement-maker.
Pros: Big colour punch, loves moisture and warmth.
Care: Can faint if left to dry out so don’t neglect it.
6. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
A classic houseplant seen in many homes that will thrive just as well in a terrarium. The green and white grass like leaves add energy and height to any larger terrarium design.
Pros: A real thrill that will catch the eye Great for filling vertical spaces.
Care: Can get a bit leggy if left unchecked. Trim back occasionally and the plant will shoot out even thicker.
7. Baby Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
Tiny, adorable, and great at filling in gaps—this one’s the ground cover hero. Think of it as the living carpet for your terrarium.
Pros: Forms dense mats, perfect for layering.
Care: Can get a bit too enthusiastic—keep it in check.
8. Miniature Ivy (Hedera helix ‘Duckfoot’ or similar)
Regular ivy’s well-known, but the miniature versions are perfect for terrariums. Delicate, climbing, and just a bit gothic.
Pros: Classic look, great vertical element.
Care: It can spread quickly if not kept in check. Trim as needed
9. Cushion Moss / Bun Moss (Leucobryum glaucum)
We love cushion moss so much, it’s included in practically all of our terrarium kits. Add texture, height and a luscious feel. It’s almost a compulsory addition.
Pros: Adds texture and a real forest feel to ant terrarium
Care: Do not allow it to dry out.
10. Flat Moss.
A less glamorous miss but still worthy for many terrariums. It’s great for filling floor space and giving a garden look.
Pros: Cheap and good for large areas. Can also be placed vertically as a wall.
Care: Do not allow it to dry out.
Your next step:
To summarise, you want humidity-lovers, space-respecters, and vibe-enhancers. All of the plants above are time-tested favourites from our shop, and each one brings its own kind of charm to your tiny glass world.
If you’re looking to start your own, we’ve got everything from plant packs and terrarium starter kits, right through to complete terrariums. Start your terrarium building today!
