The Best Plants for Closed Terrariums (Expert Shortlist) 

At their core, closed terrarium plants are simply those well-suited to the warm, humid environment of a sealed terrarium.

Easy right? Except for the fact that describes a lot of plants. 

So naturally, we need to find better ways to narrow that list down. Especially since many of those would grow a little too well for a small fixed space.

We need to apply other criteria to build out our shortlist.

For starters, we’ll focus on plants that are small and actually stay compact, tolerate low airflow, and showcase exceptional beauty or character. I’ve organized them into key categories for convenience.

Buckle up. We’re going talent scouting!

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Compact & Cute Terrarium Ferns 

Ferns are perfectly suited to life in closed terrariums, and nothing delivers more on the texture front.

The best terrarium ferns are all relatively compact, easy to care for (so no Maidenhair Fern, I’m afraid), and ever so pretty. I find the best are often mini dwarf varieties of popular houseplant species.

It’s true, that good things come in small packages!

We’ll start with the ever-popular Boston Fern (Nephrolepis).

Vibrant green, with sword-shaped fronds. They bring so much character and verticality. A few amazing varieties always seem to find their way into our projects – I can’t help myself.

1. Lemon Button Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii’)

Endlessly versatile and super petite, the Lemon Button Fern is our go-to fern choice. Particularly for smaller terrariums.

Despite their minute size, the overarching fronds really lift a scene, and the ability to be divided into tiny clumps of fronds really helps with placement.

Seriously, you can turn one plant into 5 and pop them all over your terrarium. 

2. Fluffy Ruffles Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Fluffy Ruffles’)

Come on, can the names get any cuter? 

The Fluffy Ruffles Fern is one of the more compact yet “full-looking” ferns, making it incredibly easy to use. It’s one of our favorite small terrarium plants.

Pop it in the foreground for an instant texture boost.

3. Heart Fern (Hemionitis arifolia)

These heart-shaped leaves are bursting with charm.

I like to use them both as a centerpiece and a filler, depending on how fabulous my foliage plants are by comparison. 

And though not a dwarf species, it still only grows up to ten inches tall. So that’s pretty manageable, and the stalk-like fronds are very easy to trim back at the base. 

Honorary mentions

1. I love a Crocodile Fern (Microsorum musifolium). The combination of their scaly, broad-leafed fronds and electric green coloration is amazing. But they do get quite big, so they’re not quite as versatile.
2. The Button Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia) is a dainty-looking fern with fronds that spill in all directions full of little button leaves. It’s very pretty but a bit harder to style.

Delicate Terrarium Vines

Terrarium vines can include a wide variety of trailing, climbing, and creeping plants.

Generally, anything that grows along the ground of a terrarium or climbs up the sides.

The likes of the classic Pothos come to mind, but those things can grow enormous (our potted Pothos was over 10 feet long).

So, it’s better to think on a smaller scale here for a closed environment.

I favor the small, delicate terrarium vines. Often, you don’t even need to plant them. You can just snip them up and scatter them around your scene.

Over time, they’ll grow to weave amongst the moss and hardscape, adding a dynamic element of natural wildness.

1. Pilea glauca ‘Aquamarine’ 

With dainty metallic gray-green leaves, Pilea glauca is such an elegant little plant.

The colors really contrast the classic tropical greens of a typical terrarium.

It’s a great choice for terrarium ground cover or as a simple accent piece. Once it’s formed a full mat, its vines will continue to wander over surfaces.

2. Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig)

Ficus pumila is a mainstay in the naturalistic terrarium world. 

It’s a very strong grower, thriving in humid and moist conditions. Just a few cuttings can easily fill out all areas of a terrarium container.

So it may need a little pruning every now and again, but you’ll certainly have no problems growing it.

The vines help create a great sense of scale, and their free, unrestrained growth provides a more natural look.

3. String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata)

As a tropical semi-succulent, the String of Turtles has somehow done the impossible and become popular in the terrarium, succulent, and houseplant worlds simultaneously.

Quite the achievement for such a tiny plant. 

That said, it really is a lovely little vine. 

Easy to grow, and even easier to propagate. Even planting a leaf cutting is often enough to grow a new plant. 

4. Peacock Plant (Selaginella uncinata)

Selaginella are the best-kept secret about tropical terrariums.

Little known in the houseplant world, but absolute stars here in the terrarium hobby. They’re technically somewhere between a fern and a moss, but they act more like a vine.

Selaginella uncinata is by far the prettiest, with iridescent blue foliage

Incredibly hardy, perfectly suited to terrarium life, and easy to grow – the perfect beginner terrarium plant?

Showstopper Foliage Plants

“Foliage” isn’t an exact plant category. It’s a more of a useful way to group plants that are prized for their stunning leafage rather than their flowers.

Think broader, more vibrant, or unique leaves.

So this group includes many different plant types, from lush tropical greenery to shrubs and palm-like plants.

1. Fittonia sp.

Nerve plants are a truly classic terrarium plant.

Tropical evergreen perennials with delicately veined leaves. They come in a variety of beautiful colors from pink, white, and green.

Plus, they’ll typically only grow to about 6 inches high, but they like to spread wider.

The Polka Dot Plant is another popular choice that ticks a lot of the same boxes.

2. Pilea Moon Valley (Pilea mollis)

Though the Aluminum Plant is probably the most popular Pilea plant species, I think the Pilea Moon Valley is much prettier.

It also tends to stay more compact, whereas the former is more of a bush.

3. Little Tree Plant (Biophytum Sensitivum)

This tiny little tree-like plant is adorable and loves high-moisture environments. 

It never grows beyond a few inches tall, and so it’s great for creating a palm-like tropical aesthetic on a micro level. 

4. Earth Stars (Cryptanthus bivittatus)

Something completely different to finish on. 

These are low-growing, low-light-loving little superstars. Definitely one of the best low-light terrarium plants – they can really thrive in difficult conditions.

Coming in all manner of vivid colors, they’re completely at home on the tropical forest floor. 

There you have it, our shortlist of the best closed terrarium plants.

Naturally, there are still a ton of tropical terrarium plants not mentioned here that we love and use regularly, but you’ve got to stop somewhere.

Which of these is your favorite? Or, have I missed it off? Let me know.

Ready to build your terrarium? Check out our live terrarium moss for sale on the store!