Tiny Terrarium Plants for Miniature Container Gardens
Tiny Terrarium Plant Ideas: Perfect for Compact Gardening Projects
Navigating the world of small terrarium plants can be a challenge, especially when you want plants that will stay miniature. One misstep and you might end up with a monster fern that outgrows your container. To help prevent that from happening, we've curated a list of terrarium must-haves, from microscopic ferns to teeny-tiny vines and foliage showstoppers.
Whether you're a fan of mosses or a lover of exotic plants, there's something for everyone on this list. So grab your green thumb and let's dig in!
What Makes a Great Small Terrarium Plant?
To qualify as a great small terrarium plant, it needs to have a few key features:
- Compact Growth: Each plant on this list will maintain a small leaf size as it grows. Sure, some will stretch out, but a quick trim should keep them petite and adorable.
- Good for Terrariums: These plants thrive in closed containers and can coexist harmoniously in a shared terrarium ecosystem.
Now, let's explore the tiny terrarium plants that are guaranteed to delight you.
Tiny Terrarium Plants You'll Adore
1 | Pilea glauca
This plant is often my go-to for closed terrariums of all sizes. With exquisite silvery leaves that don't exceed a quarter of an inch, it's the perfect choice for those looking to create a sense of scale. In my tiniest builds, I frequently just use mosses and Pilea glauca. It truly is a versatile and beautiful plant.
👉 Shop Pilea glauca
2 | String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata)
This terrarium plant staple has lime green rounded leaves and dark markings, giving the appearance of a mini army of baby turtles cascading across your terrarium. If it becomes too long, you can easily trim it or use the cuttings for other projects.
👉 Shop String of Turtles
3 | Fluffy Ruffles Sword Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata 'Fluffy Ruffles')
When you love the big energy of a Sword Fern but struggle with size, you'll appreciate this miniature version. It measures up to just a few inches tall, making it the cutest and most adorable thing money can buy. Even the name is cute! It comes in various colors too.
👉 Shop Fluffy Ruffles Fern
4 | Marcgravia sintenisii
This shingling plant emulates the beauty of a sunset with foliage that first grows in a vibrant red hue and gradually matures to green. It loves high humidity and moisture, making it a perfect fit for closed terrarium environments.
👉 Shop Marcgravia sintenisii
5 | Peacock Fern / Peacock Moss (Selaginella uncinata)
This plant offers exquisite blue-green and iridescent shades. It belongs to the somewhat enigmatic Selaginella genus, yet it looks like the love child between a fern and moss. Its dainty turquoise foliage and creeping growth pattern will add texture and contrast to your terrarium.
👉 Shop Peacock Fern
6 | Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)
If you enjoy wild, luscious overgrowth, this plant is perfect for you. It's a bright green vine that grows rapidly and can be easily trimmed to fit smaller spaces. Though it grows at a fast pace, its leaves will never outgrow their petite size.
👉 Shop Creeping Fig
7 | Humata heterophylla
This tropical delight has spearhead-shaped leaves with delicate ridges. Perfect for covering the ground, it will pop up feathery fronds throughout your terrarium. The only drawback is that it can be challenging to plant due to the vining stem, making it a good choice for glass containers with a wide opening.
👉 Shop Humata heterophylla
8 | Watermelon Dischidia (Dischidia ovata)
With emerald green oval leaves and white venation, it's easy to understand why this plant is called Watermelon Dischidia. This overlooked closed terrarium plant will bring a unique and striking element to your latest build. Like the Creeping Fig, this vining Dischidia can grow quickly, but its leaves will always remain petite, making it easy to control its size.
👉 Shop Watermelon Dischidia
9 | Mini Asian Water Fern (Bolbitis heteroclita 'Difformis')
Affectionately known as "mini," this lesser-known plant is a fantastic choice for those looking for a small addition to their terrarium without the risk of overgrowth. It features delicate frilled fronds that resemble parsley, adding texture and contrast to your build.
👉 Shop Mini Asian Water Fern
10 | Nerve Plant (Fittonia)
Fittonia is a popular terrarium plant, and for good reason. It's part of a genus that includes many terrarium-suitable choices, such as albivenis and verschaffeltii. You'll find various shades of colorful venation, making Fittonia appear more ornamental than natural. Add a striking feature plant or a fun splash of color to your terrarium with Fittonia.
👉 Shop Fittonia
Bonus Mood Moss (Dicranum scoparium)
No terrarium is complete without moss, and Mood Moss is my all-time favorite. Versatile, fluffy, and vibrant, there's nothing not to love about it. Its compact size means it can be comfortably fitted into any container, even those with terrarium jewelry. As an acrocarpous moss, you can easily tease it apart into smaller pieces, making it a perfect choice for those with limited space.
👉 Shop Mood Moss
- In addition to terrarium plants, a well-rounded lifestyle could also include exploring various topics such as fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and relationships.
- For those who love pets, taking care of a miniature terrarium plant might be a perfect stepping stone to nurturing a tiny creature.
- If you have a sense of adventure, consider incorporating travel experiences and car shopping into your lifestyle.
- Shopping for terrarium plants can be a fun activity, but don't forget to set aside time for indulging in retail therapy for some fashion finds.
