What Type of Plants Are in a Terrarium?

Tropical Terrariums

• As with all terrariums, the size of the plants selected should be appropriate to the container. There are a number of tropical plants that stay small, making them well suited to even the smallest of gardens. The Dischidia ovata is a small plant with striped leaves no more than 1/2 inch long, and distinctive pinkish flowers. The scarab fern is a low-lying fern with bright, metallic blue leaves.

  Larger flowers can be used as centerpiece plants surrounded by the more low-lying types. The leopard leaf, so named for its spotted leaves, typically grows no larger than 8 inches tall. Similarly, the fern leaf begonia reaches a similar height, and can be pruned into whatever shape you desire.

Deciduous Terrariums

• Deciduous terrariums have a woodland feel to them, and like tropical types there are a number of plants that can be adapted to container growing. While tropical plants thrive in humid conditions, terrariums with more temperate plants should have a way to store any excess water. A layer of moss placed above a layer of gravel will give water somewhere to drain to, rather than drowning the roots of other plants.

  For an authentic woodland feel, there are a number of trees that will actually thrive in the indoor environment of a terrarium. Seedlings can be planted alongside other types of plants and flowers such as wild strawberries and wintergreen. Types such as yew, pine and hemlock will thrive, but will need to be removed when they grow too big for the container.

Desert Terrarium

• Desert plants such as cacti require dry conditions, so most successful desert terrariums are constructed in open containers such as wide, flat terracotta pots. Leaving plenty of room between plants will allow for sunlight to reach the majority of the plants' surface area, and allow water to evaporate quickly. Any small type of cactus found at a home improvement store or nursery will typically do well in a terrarium. Other plants such as the hearty jade tree, aloe, agave and haworthia will also thrive as they have the same moisture and sunlight requirements as cacti. Some desert terrariums can serve a duel purpose as a decoration and habitat for lizards, small snakes or other desert pets.

Carnivorous Plants

• With a large enough aquarium, you can use carnivorous plants to create a unique terrarium that takes a little creative feeding. A container smaller than a 60 gallon fish tank will generally not provide enough room or access to light for even a handful of carnivorous plants and their companions.

  There is a variety of these meat- and bug-eating plants that can be grown in a terrarium. With the exception of the Drosophyllum family, which does not thrive in captivity and the sarracenia, which is too tall for an aquarium, almost any carnivorous plant can do well. Pitcher plants, Venus flytraps, sundews and even bladderworts can be included in a soil-and-water terrarium.