The Top 10 plants to compose a <tc>terrarium</tc>

Dial a terrarium

You want to make your own terrarium but you don't know which varieties to use ?

Or on the contrary you already have your idea but you need some additional information ?

If you are looking for advice, help, or clarification to confirm your preferences, then you are in the right place.

You will find below our selection of plants for terrarium humid with their characteristics and some tips. If you would like to directly purchase a mini plant to compose your terrarium click here.
Otherwise, take advantage of our complete terrarium plant + jar kits available here

Ficus microcarpa

Before putting it in place, the earthen ball of your ficus must be immersed in water for a few moments. Also remember to gently untangle the roots so that they can easily access water. It is of Asian origin and likes to flourish in a humid environment, with a minimum temperature of 15 degrees. Ficus Ginseng Microcarpa, also called ficus ginseng, is an excellent choice. Exposure to full light should be avoided; prefer partial shade. Don't forget to cut its shoots regularly and carefully to allow it to maintain a harmonious size and shape. Furthermore, as the leaves are fragile, be careful not to break them when handling them. For watering, it will be enough to regularly check that the soil is very moist on the surface, if this is not the case, pour water moderately while avoiding stagnation.  You wish to buy a ficus microcarpa ? It's by here !

The Fittonia

The fittonia is native to South America, more precisely from the tropical forests of Peru and Colombia. It is a creeping species whose leaves are oval and ribbed in yellow, green, white, or even red and pink: perfect for giving color and originality to the environment of your terrarium. The ideal temperature for it to flourish is between 18 and 20 degrees. Due to its tropical origins, it is ideal for a terrarium because it must always be humid, and protected from the cold and drafts which are its worst enemies. Fittonia is not particularly susceptible to diseases, the appearance of aphids, scale insects or small red spiders often indicates excess water. Small advice : if flowers appear, they are of little interest, you can then cut them so that your fittonia retains its vitality. You would like to buy a fittonia ? It's through here !

Asparagus plumosus

It is also called Asparagus by florists, who often use it to enhance their floral arrangements. Its fine and delicate foliage but quite dense and full gives it a fern-like appearance. Asparagus plumosus is the most common variety of asparagus.Asparagus plumosus thrives in a humid and bright which allows it to display a beautiful green color, but is quite fragile, you must remember to divide the stems so that it is airy in the terrarium. Its ease of adaptation allows it to easily live in harmony with other congeners. If the leaves of your asparagus plumosus start to turn yellow, it is probably due to a lack of light. If you find that some stems are bare or too long, you can cut them so that your asparagus plumosus maintains a beautiful appearance.

Pilea involucrata

It is part of the Urticaceae family, like the nettle. The pilea involucrata is found in almost all tropical forests. This species is easy to maintain and also brings a touch of original decoration with its oval-shaped leaves with an embossed appearance, green on the top and purple on the bottom. Its cultivation is carried out in a bright and very humid place. If the edges of the leaves turn yellow, this indicates a lack of water. A temperature that is too low and continues (less than 15 degrees) will result in leaves that turn black and eventually fall off. Conversely, avoid placing your piléa involucrata too close to a heat source such as radiators. Flowering of pileas is rare, the flowers are small and most of the time tinged with pink.

The Coffee Tree

Flowering which is followed by green then red berries, containing the coffee seeds, is not possible indoors. The Coffee tree is a small shrub native to tropical Africa. It has large oval leaves with wavy edges, of a beautiful shiny dark green. The coffee tree behaves very well in a terrarium, which allows it to avoid its worst enemies, cold drafts and sudden temperature variations. If brown spots appear on the foliage, it is because the coffee tree has been exposed to direct sunlight or too much heat. It is important to prune the Coffee tree by pinching the new shoots to maintain an impactful shape. Choose a tall container to highlight its pretty shape.

Iresin

It is part of the large amaranthaceae family and is native to Brazil. Its red or pink stems feature purple leaves with beautiful, clearly visible veins. The foliage can also be pink, yellow and green. To be able to give the full potential of its colors full of contrasts, the leaves ofiresin need a lot of light, but always indirect.

Apart from a terrarium, it must be watered regularly so that the soil does not dry out, especially in summer. In winter, it is possible to spray water directly on its foliage. When it lacks water, the iresin withers and the leaves sag. It only takes a few hours for it to regain its full vitality after it has received a little water.

The maranta

Also called arrowroot, it finds its origin in the humid forests of Central and South America. It owes its name to Bartolomeo Maranta, a 16th century Italian doctor and botanist. The maranta has the nickname “the plant of prayer”. Indeed, at night, its leaves straighten and close, like hands forming the gesture of prayer. Its oval leaves of around ten centimeters are very graphic. Each of them has numerous veins, colored in a fairly bright red or sometimes pink, with spots of light green color, more or less regular, which surround the entire central vein. The maranta cannot stand full sun and will prefer partial shade.If it is used outside of a terrarium, make sure that it always has good humidity and very cool soil, especially in summer.

The pumila

The pumila, also called dwarf fig tree or creeping fig tree, is placed in the category of depolluting species. Originally from Asia, it is part of the Moraceae family and belongs to the ficus genus.

The pumila is a large vine that grows very quickly. It is often found on the facades of houses which it is capable of covering completely thanks in particular to its aerial roots. Its leaves are oval and green, with an average size of 3 centimeters, and their texture is reminiscent of paper. It likes very cool and humid soil, and does not appreciate excessive heat which quickly causes its leaves to turn yellow and fall off. Its ability to grow quickly requires pruning it regularly to prevent it from becoming too invasive to the point of smothering other species found in the terrarium. Note that if its foliage becomes sticky, this is certainly due to the presence of mealybugs.

The syngonium

The syngonium, nicknamed crow's feet, is native to South and Central America, in an area between Mexico and Bolivia.

Its leaves, shaped like a spearhead, sometimes take the shape of hearts. They are green in color with darker edges but can come in other shades such as pink, purple or variegated ivory. In addition to its very decorative appearance, syngonium has the great quality of being one of the depolluting species. Maintaining the syngonium is not restrictive. Indirect light is sufficient for it and it resists diseases very well. However, it will be necessary to pay particular attention to the sap of the syngonium. Indeed, the latter contains substances which can irritate the mucous membranes, particularly the mouth. So remember to take precautions when handling it to include it in your terrarium and wash your hands quickly if the sap comes into contact with your skin.

The chamaedorea

This is a small palm tree that grows in humid environments and is found in Mexico, and more generally in South and Central America.

Its foliage is composed of long leaves ranging from light green to dark green. It is easy to maintain, lives a long time and does not need special attention.

A lack of water ? The ends of the leaves burn. Brown spots on the foliage ? Too much exposure to the sun. For the rest, a temperature of around 18-20 degrees and the humidity of terrarium will allow your chamaedorea to flourish properly.

This list of plants for terrarium is only exhaustive, but allows you to multiply ideas for compositions in an original way. They will bring to your terrarium an abundance of colors and shapes, but also a lot of originality in the room where you install it. Find our collections of plants here and kits terrariumplants

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