10 Low-Care Plants That Grow Well in Terrariums

Picking the right plants for your terrarium can feel a bit overwhelming, with so many beautiful options to choose from. But don’t worry, the plants listed below are easy to care for, making them perfect even for beginners.

In a closed terrarium, plants require almost no watering and can thrive for years with very little maintenance.

TIP: Make sure to select plants that are small enough to comfortably fit inside your terrarium without touching the sides. One handy trick is to take your terrarium with you when shopping or at least note down the exact measurements.

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Perfect Plants for Your Terrarium

The first thing to consider when choosing plants for a terrarium is the type of environment you’ll be creating. Terrariums can be opened or closed, and each type requires plants with specific needs. For example, closed terrariums retain more moisture, making them ideal for plants that thrive in humid environments, while open terrariums are perfect for species that prefer drier air, like cacti or succulents.

Making sure the plants you choose match the environment is key to helping your terrarium flourish.

Here's a list of 10 great plants that are perfect for creating your ideal terrarium!

Artillery Fern (P. microphylla)

Artillery ferns are not really ferns, but they are members of the Pilea family. They are called artillery ferns because they fire their seeds with a crack, and sometimes from a considerable distance.

Despite this explosive characteristic, these plants are delicate and have a beautiful and interesting texture. You will find that it is easy to grow and should thrive with the least amount of care.

Light: Medium to bright indirect light
Water: Medium
Color: Insignificant bloom

Aluminum Plant (Pilea Cadierei)

The aluminum factory, originally from Vietnam, loves warm temperatures and low to medium light. The leaves have almost iridescent white spots that really make them shine.

This plant grows fairly quickly, so you may need to pinch it from time to time. The aluminum plant is also easy to root. Just take a small cutting and plant it in damp soil.

Light: Low to medium light
Water: Regularly in spring and summer; less at other times
Color: Green leaves with white markings

Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)

Ball plants seem to have a great sense of humor. This plant is cheerful and comes in pink, red, and silver varieties. Easy to care for, may need to be pulled back if it gets too tall or starts to thin or straddle.

Light: Bright, indirect light
Water: Regularly in spring and summer; less at other times
Color: Green leaves with white markings

Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

Red-veined prayer plant is an impressive plant. The prayer plant has this name because it bends its leaves at night as if it were praying.

If you don't get enough light, you will know why the leaves will also bend during the day. Prayer plants love to be warm, so don't leave the terrarium near a cold window or with cold drafts.

Light: Medium, indirect light
Water: Regularly in spring and summer; less at other times
Color: Green leaves with white markings

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

While the golden pothos vine may look like a houseplant, it can look fabulous in a terrarium. Golden pothos have a well-deserved reputation as a bulletproof and indestructible houseplant, and it's even more true in the controlled environment of a terrarium.

Prune it regularly so it doesn't get unruly and your potos look good for years. It is also easy to propagate by rooting the stems in water.

Light: Bright, indirect light
Water: Relatively little water; do not overwater
Color: Green leaves with white markings

Peperomia (peperomia caperata)

There are about 1000 cultivars of peperomia. The common peperomia caperata can have all green leaves or leaves with some red. This slow growth works very well in terrariums.

Peperomia sometimes also produces nice-looking flower spines. If you are lucky, these flowers will add beautiful color to your terrarium.

Light: Low to bright indirect light
Water: Relatively little water; do not overwater
Color: Green leaves or green with red

Baby Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)

Baby tears are a small plant with many common names. The plant is also called Angel Tears, take care of Your Business, peace in the House, Polyana Vine, Mother of a Thousand, and Corsican Curse.

The curse could refer to the fact that, under the right conditions, baby tears can be seriously invasive, taking up entire gardens. In a terrarium, it works very well and is a beautiful low-growing plant.

Light: Bright light
Water: Consistent moisture
Color: Creamy ivory flowers

Button Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia)

There is something about a little fern bud that is tremendously attractive. Hailing from New Zealand, it is hardy and drought-tolerant. It is a bit heady, but at the same time delicate and elegant.

Light: Full shade to filtered light
Water: Water weekly
Color: Green foliage

Creeping Fig (Ficus primula)

The creeping fig tree, with its small multi-colored heart-shaped leaves, is a beautiful addition to almost any terrarium. It is a perennial vine, so you can train it to climb structures, which can be interesting to try in a large terrarium.

You can easily propagate creeping figs by rooting a branch in the water.

Light: Partial to full sun
Water: Water occasionally
Color: Green foliage

Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)

Crotons can really add shine to your terrariums. Its thick, glossy leaves come in a wide variety of surprising colors and shapes. Gold dust croton, for example, is one of the narrow-leaved varieties that will have varying amounts of gold, depending on the cultivar.

It is not well known as a terrarium plant, but it works particularly well when grown in open-pot terrariums.

Light: Bright indirect, dappled light
Water: Water occasionally
Color: Green, gold, and salmon foliage

Bringing Your Terrarium to Life

With the right plants and a little attention to their needs, your terrarium can become a beautiful, self-sustaining mini ecosystem.

Whether you're aiming for a lush, tropical feel or a sleek, desert-inspired look, picking plants that align with your terrarium’s environment is essential for long-term success.

Don’t forget to consider factors like humidity, light, and plant size to ensure a balanced and thriving setup. Once you’ve made your selections, all that’s left is to enjoy watching your little green world grow and flourish for years to come!