Be warned, ivy is considered invasive in some parts of the USA. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Where helpful to the reader, some posts may contain links to products. The cultivars Curly and Dorty are both slower to grow than other varieties. It is also pleasingly easy to care. 99 Added to Cart Failed to add an item to cart. Many species of Pileas are commonly cultivated as houseplants. In a closed terrarium the artificial micro-environment is constantly humid and moist. Although it is a profuse grower, it is easily pruned to keep under control. In a terrarium, it will behave itself quite well and is a lovely, low-growing plant. African violets are a great choice for terrariums. May 21, 2015 - The creeping fig is also known as the climbing fig which is primarily grown outdoors as a climbing vine. Creeping Fig is a beautiful houseplant that when cared for right, can vine and trail off bookshelves, mantels or side tables. Despite this they are also ideal closed terrarium plants. Producing long, thin striped spider-like foliage this is a popular houseplant. Thriving in warm, moist conditions this variety do best in full shade or filtered sunlight positions. As well as controlling the spread of the plant this encourages it to become bushier and more compact. Examples: Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig) – See on Etsy; Ficus punctata ‘Panama’ (Lance-leaf Fig… Their delicate flowers can also add exotic interest and color to your collection. Preferring bright indirect light, spider plants also grow in low light positions, just make sure that the soil doesn’t completely dry out. With such a range of plants and varieties on offer choosing your a plant for your terrarium can be difficult. Excellent for stuffed topiary and terrariums. An attractive plant that produces green foliage with pink, red, purple or white spots. An ideal choice to bring both color and texture to a sealed terrarium it rarely exceeds 6 inches in height. More clumping than vining in habit, this is the choice for the sophisticated terrarium or living topiary. Large ferns are a great way to add interest to a patio or balcony. It is also easy to propagate by rooting the stems in water. If you want to create a completely low-maintenance closed terrarium select slow a growing plant or miniature variety. Native to China and Japan, Ficus pumila is a versatile species that’s capable of climbing just about any surface it can find. Similar in growth habit to the typical creeping fig but this one has tiny leaves that take the form of an oak leaf. Here are our suggestions for the best closed terrarium plants. Golden pothos is a versatile plant, happy to grow in warm temperatures where humidity is moderate to high. Buy It: Potted 2.5-inch, $4.99, Josh's Frogs If you want a flower that will last for months, the phalaenopsis orchid is a great choice. Sphagnum moss is a reliable sealed terrarium plant choice, as is spoon moss, hair cap moss, sheet moss and cushion moss. Ideal closed terrarium plants are suited to the micro-climate that sealed terrariums create. However this need for humidity also makes them ideal closed terrarium plants. This means that unlike other plants, they haven’t developed specialized tissue to harvest water and nutrients. They are called artillery ferns because it shoots its seeds with a popping sound—and sometimes quite a distance. Easy to care for, it might need to be pinched back if it gets too tall or starts to get spindly or leggy. This environment is generally warm and moist. Just make sure that they are kept away from the edge to prevent moisture from settling on their foliage. It also thrives in medium or indirect light positions. Baby’s tears thrive in moist, warm conditions. Finally friendship plant, Pilea involucrata, is another reliable choice for those seeking closed terrarium plants. Pilea involucrata or Moon valley pilea is so called because the texture of the foliage is thought to resemble the surface of the moon. Instead moss absorbs water through its foliage. These 10 plants are ideal for your terrarium garden. Don’t try to fit lots or large plants into a small glass jar with a lid. Along its vining stems masses or heart-shaped foliage emerge. Terrariums not only allow you to control the growing environment, but you can customize them with fun figurines and decorative landscaping. This means that you will need to regularly tend the plant to prevent it from taking over. Polka dot plants seem to have a great sense of humor. A smaller variety is the dwarf cultivar, Minima. This genus is also suitable for living walls. Provide very bright indirect light and keep evenly moist. Creeping Fig: A dwarf variety of this tree-like plant can look like a tiny forest inside your terrarium. Open Terrarium – Open terrariums are generally in an open-air container. This variety originates in the jungles of Vietnam and produces deep green, toothed foliage which is decorated with raised metallic silver patches. Ficus pumila 'Creeping Fig' is a great plant for container gardens or terrariums. Allowing the runners to contact the soil encourages the plant to spread, acting as ground cover. This prevents water from running down the sides of the terrarium and settling on the fuzzy foliage. It is considered crown jewel of the "Creeping Fig" cultivars. It’s also one of the smallest members of the ficus family. It is often used as an alternative to English ivy. Moss is a non-vascular plant. Be sure to buy plants that are small enough to fit into your terrarium jar, preferably without touching the sides. Water when top half of soil is dry (these guys can be susceptible to root rot, so don't overwater!) Ficus pumila 'Variegata' displays heart-shaped, thumbnail-sized leaves with broad white margins on a creeping to climbing tropical vine with wiry stems. They grow quickly, but can be pruned back with ease. Moss, or Bryophytes, are popular closed terrarium plants. The heart-shaped leaves have a glossy appearance and bumpy texture. The 6 Plants These Plant Influencers Really (Really!) The starfish plant is another favorite of mine. Larger, or quickly growing plants need to be kept in check with regular pruning. Mini Oakleaf Creeping Fig - Ficus quercifolia -Terrarium/Fairy Garden - 2.5" Pot 4.6 out of 5 stars 8 $6.99 $ 6 . Crotons can really add bling to your terrariums. Similar in appearance to ferns, spike moss can carpet the bottom of your terrarium with its feathery foliage. This versatility means it is one of the easiest to care for closed terrarium plants. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya). An ideal ground cover option ivy provides a nice complement to more exotic closed terrarium plants. This fast-growing plant can easily take over a terrarium and should be pruned and trimmed back … Not only is the individual leaf considerably smaller than the normal Creeping Fig, but each dimpled leaf is deeply lobed as if was a tiny oak leaf. More clumping than vining in habit, this is the choice for the sophisticated terrarium or living topiary. Some type of Fittonia However there are plenty of other options if you want to add interest to your space. Avoid placing baby’s tears in overly bright positions, they do best in medium or bright indirect light. As well as a solid green color, some cultivars of creeping fig come in variegated colors. The creeping fig is a true terrarium staple thanks to it’s miniature size, easy care and prolific growth habits. While succulents are best avoided, there are still plenty of options to choose from. A bushy plant with an attractive trailing habit, its green and deep bronze leaves are an attractive way to fill a space. Originating in the tropical areas of East Asia, creeping fig is a small plant that thrives in moist, warm conditions. A slightly larger variety than the emerald ripple peperomia, this variety produces attractive oval-shaped foliage. Name: Asplenium bulbiferum. It grows as dense ground cover or as a climbing vine, having aerial roots that secrete a latex glue that allows the plant to cling to its supports. A selection of moss. Pileas thrive in a range of lighting conditions, just make sure the environment is humid. Similar to golden pothos, the polka dot plant has a vigorous growth habit. However small or miniature versions are ideal for sealed terrariums. As most tropical vines, it appreciates a moist substrate and will grow faster in a humid environment. I have had this Creeping Fig (Ficus pumilia) in my terrarium, but it has almost completely taken over. Obviously if you have a large container, you can choose slightly larger varieties. It is not well known as a terrarium plant but works particularly well when grown in open-jar terrariums. Just remember to clean them after cutting every use. Luckily for you, this guide is on hand to help. Spider plants thrive in low light positions. You can easily propagate creeping fig by rooting a branch-cutting in water. A small, clean pair of garden scissors is ideal. Both the Venus hair fern and the reliable delta maidenhair fern (Adiantum raddianum) are reliable closed terrarium plants. If you want to add color to your closed terrarium try including a polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya). Unlike much of its family, which grows as upright trees and shrubs, this little plant is a groundcover or vine, depending on how you grow it. Succulents struggle in these conditions. If you are lucky, these flowers would add a nice color pop to your terrarium. A vining plant, ivy is a great ground cover option. quercifolia. I decided it needed a separate pot. The aluminum plant, a native of Vietnam, likes low to medium light and warm temperatures. Baby tears is a small plant with a lot of common names. The attractive foliage of the plant is further enhanced by its burgundy undersides. The aluminum plant is easy to root as well. Combining different combinations and varieties helps to add color, structure and interest to your closed terrarium. The range of plants currently available can make choosing closed terrarium plants a confusing process. If it doesn’t get enough light the polka dot plant may become leggy. Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila) This creeping fig is ideal for enclosed terrariums because it loves warm, moist conditions and has small leaves. They’re a mainstay in naturalistic tropical terrariums because their small leaves and stems help create a great sense of scale, and their free, unrestrained growth brings in a more natural look. . Like other orchid varieties, they are also pleasingly easy to care for. Creeping Fig – Ficus pumila; Activated Charcoal for Terrariums. You’re ready to add small plants such as miniature African violets, baby tears, ivy, pothos, or creeping fig (never mix cacti or succulents with houseplants in your DIY fish tank aquarium). This helps to bring structure and drama to a closed terrarium. The plant produces a distinctive black stem that contrasts pleasingly with their bright green foliage. 1 / 12 Formally known as Fittonia, this plant is sometimes called painted net leaf or mosaic plant. Just make sure it is in a dark position. Fully mature watermelon peperomia reaches 8 inches in height. Lemon button ferns do best in medium or bright filtered light positions. The foliage of creeping fig may seem small and fragile but it is pleasingly robust. There is something about a small button fern that is terrifically appealing. Bun moss is brilliant for creating mini hills in your terrarium and s heet moss is good for flat planes or hillsides. Some may be affiliate links, meaning we earn commissions on purchases. Creeping figs will tolerate some shade and/or indirect light. Growing Arugula Plant- Detailed Care Guide. Another fern suitable for a closed terrarium is maidenhair fern or Adiantum. The plants you choose should also share similar light and moisture requirements. It is also an easy to care for plant. A comparatively small plant with a desire for humidity, pileas can be difficult to care for. This Oak Leaf Creeping Fig has been growing for quite awhile, however you can see how much it fills in the background. It is slightly mop-headed, but also kind of delicate and elegant at the same time. 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