Terrarium House Plant Examples

Tillandsia

• Air plants (sp Tillandsia) are intriguing plants that often look like clumps of grass. They do not need soil, absorbing moisture and nutrients through their leaves. Their roots are only used for anchoring them to trees or other growing places. Air plants can be placed on rocks or other dry supports or even suspended above other terrarium plants. If an air plant begins to curl, it is an indication it has dried out. Soak it in water overnight and replace it in the terrarium. Unless an air plant has dried out it should not be in contact with water or wet soil.

Sunrise

• Foliage the color of dawn gives sunrise plant (Anacampseros telephiastrum variegata) its name. The leaves grow in rosettes that are lime, pink and emerald green on top with violet pink on the undersides. Sunrise plant is a succulent so it prefers bright light, low humidity and good airflow. It does best in open terrariums that do not have the high humidity levels of closed terrariums. Sunrise plant should have light soil with good drainage and be watered only when the soil is completely dry.

Moss

• Moss may seem like a strange thing to plant indoors but short varieties like sheet moss (Hypnum cupressiforme) can provide a grassy looking surface to cover bare soil under larger plants. Taller varieties such as hair cap moss (Polyrichum juniperinum) can look like stands of trees when planted in small terrariums, becoming interesting plants on their own. Moss grows well in humid environments so can thrive in terrariums. Soil should be moist but not wet.

Watercress

• Terrariums are great for growing water-loving plants such as watercress (Nasturtium officinale). Watercress needs wet soil, and a closed terrarium will keep it from drying out, especially in arid climates. It has small, dark green leaves and will flower and reseed itself if conditions are right. As a bonus, it is edible raw or cooked and has a peppery flavor. Watercress can also be grown as part of a habitat for water creatures such as frogs or turtles.