Open · closed · light · height
Terrarium plant picker
Plants for jars, tanks and bottle gardens, sorted by the conditions you can give them, each with its source.
Plants that fit
12 of 20 plants
Nerve plant
Fittonia albivenis
- Light
- Dappled sunlight (shade through upper canopy all day); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2–6 hours)
- Height
- 3–8 in (8–20 cm) tall
Dwarf forms suit terrariums. It wants medium humidity: dry air or direct sun shrivels the leaves, but they can also wither if the air stays too humid, so open a jar that keeps fogging up.
Baby's tears, mind-your-own-business
Soleirolia soleirolii
- Light
- Deep shade (less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight); Dappled sunlight (shade through upper canopy all day); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2–6 hours)
- Height
- 3–6 in (8–15 cm) tall
Likes high humidity and bright, indirect light. It works as a terrarium plant but in time crowds out its neighbours.
Krauss' spikemoss, trailing Irish moss
Selaginella kraussiana
- Light
- Deep shade (less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2–6 hours)
- Height
- 2–4 in (5–10 cm) tall
Named as a terrarium plant. High humidity and indirect light are a must; dry air turns it brown.
Peacock moss
Selaginella uncinata
- Light
- Deep shade (less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2–6 hours)
- Height
- 3–6 in (8–15 cm) tall
Suggested for terrariums and shady spots. Tolerates humidity and dislikes dry soil.
Creeping fig
Ficus pumila 'Minima' or 'Quercifolia'
- Light
- Dappled sunlight (shade through upper canopy all day); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2–6 hours); Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Height
- The species climbs 8–15 ft (2.4–4.6 m); the small cultivars 'Minima' and 'Quercifolia' are the ones NC State names for terrariums, as low ground cover.
Does best in high humidity. Clemson lists creeping fig among foliage plants that do well in small-mouthed terrariums.
Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; Clemson HGIC 1457, Indoor Plants – Terrariums
Aluminium plant
Pilea cadierei
- Light
- Deep shade (less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight); Dappled sunlight (shade through upper canopy all day)
- Height
- 9–12 in (23–30 cm) tall
A tropical plant for warm, humid places in bright indirect light, tagged for terrariums. Powdery mildew can appear where the air is very humid and still.
Friendship plant
Pilea involucrata
- Light
- Dappled sunlight (shade through upper canopy all day); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2–6 hours)
- Height
- 3–12 in (8–30 cm) tall
Wants warmth, high humidity and bright indirect light; tagged for terrariums.
Polka dot plant
Hypoestes phyllostachya
- Light
- Dappled sunlight (shade through upper canopy all day); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2–6 hours)
- Height
- 12–24 in (30–61 cm) tall
Suggested for terrariums and containers. Tolerates humidity and dislikes drought; taller than most, so pinch it back.
Prayer plant
Maranta leuconeura
- Light
- Dappled sunlight (shade through upper canopy all day)
- Height
- 6–12 in (15–30 cm) tall
Needs high humidity and does not tolerate direct sun or dry air. Clemson names prayer plant for small-mouthed terrariums.
Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; Clemson HGIC 1457, Indoor Plants – Terrariums
Earth star
Cryptanthus bivittatus
- Light
- Dappled sunlight (shade through upper canopy all day); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2–6 hours)
- Height
- NC State gives no height; it is a low rosette.
NC State calls it a top choice for terrariums and tags it as tolerating both humidity and drought; water when the soil feels dry. Clemson names earth star (Cryptanthus acaulis) for terrariums too.
Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; Clemson HGIC 1457, Indoor Plants – Terrariums
Flame violet
Episcia cupreata
- Light
- Deep shade (less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2–6 hours)
- Height
- 8–12 in (20–30 cm) tall
Needs high humidity but not water on its leaves; does well in terrariums.
Trailing watermelon begonia
Procris repens (formerly Pellionia repens)
- Light
- Dappled sunlight (shade through upper canopy all day); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2–6 hours)
- Height
- 3–6 in (8–15 cm) tall
A tropical trailing plant for bright indirect light and humid air, often used in terrariums.
How the list works
Every plant here has a page in the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, which gives its light needs and height and, for most, says it suits terrariums or notes its humidity or drought tolerance. Closed or open follows UF/IFAS Extension: closed containers hold in moisture for tropical plants, open ones let air through for succulents and plants that like it dry. Earth star appears under both, as NC State tags it as tolerating humidity and drought.
Light uses NC State's categories, from deep shade to full sun. Heights are what the plant reaches in a pot or garden; in a terrarium you keep it smaller by choosing young plants and pinching back. Plants without a stated height only appear under “Any height”.
Clemson's terrarium fact sheet suggests low-growing plants with similar light needs, kept near a bright window but out of direct sun, and warns that ferns take over a terrarium. Nothing on this page covers toxicity to people or pets: check that separately if it matters.
| Plant | Terrarium | Light | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nerve plant Fittonia albivenis | Closed | Bright, filtered light all day; Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours | NC State Extension Gardener |
| Baby's tears, mind-your-own-business Soleirolia soleirolii | Closed | Shade: under 2 hours of direct sun; Bright, filtered light all day; Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours | NC State Extension Gardener |
| Krauss' spikemoss, trailing Irish moss Selaginella kraussiana | Closed | Shade: under 2 hours of direct sun; Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours | NC State Extension Gardener |
| Peacock moss Selaginella uncinata | Closed | Shade: under 2 hours of direct sun; Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours | NC State Extension Gardener |
| Creeping fig Ficus pumila 'Minima' or 'Quercifolia' | Closed | Bright, filtered light all day; Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours; Full sun: 6 hours or more | NC State Extension Gardener, Clemson HGIC 1457, Indoor Plants – Terrariums |
| Aluminium plant Pilea cadierei | Closed | Shade: under 2 hours of direct sun; Bright, filtered light all day | NC State Extension Gardener |
| Friendship plant Pilea involucrata | Closed | Bright, filtered light all day; Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours | NC State Extension Gardener |
| Polka dot plant Hypoestes phyllostachya | Closed | Bright, filtered light all day; Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours | NC State Extension Gardener |
| Prayer plant Maranta leuconeura | Closed | Bright, filtered light all day | NC State Extension Gardener, Clemson HGIC 1457, Indoor Plants – Terrariums |
| Earth star Cryptanthus bivittatus | Closed or Open | Bright, filtered light all day; Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours | NC State Extension Gardener, Clemson HGIC 1457, Indoor Plants – Terrariums |
| Flame violet Episcia cupreata | Closed | Shade: under 2 hours of direct sun; Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours | NC State Extension Gardener |
| Trailing watermelon begonia Procris repens (formerly Pellionia repens) | Closed | Bright, filtered light all day; Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours | NC State Extension Gardener |
| Zebra haworthia Haworthiopsis attenuata | Open | Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours | NC State Extension Gardener, UF/IFAS Extension ENH121 |
| Zebra cactus (not a true cactus) Haworthiopsis fasciata | Open | Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours | NC State Extension Gardener, UF/IFAS Extension ENH121 |
| Echeveria, Mexican rosettes Echeveria | Open | Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours; Full sun: 6 hours or more | NC State Extension Gardener, UF/IFAS Extension ENH121 |
| Ox tongue Gasteria gracilis (formerly G. bicolor) | Open | Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours | NC State Extension Gardener, UF/IFAS Extension ENH121 |
| Living stones Lithops | Open | Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours; Full sun: 6 hours or more | NC State Extension Gardener, UF/IFAS Extension ENH121 |
| Thimble cactus Mammillaria vetula (incl. M. gracilis) | Open | Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours; Full sun: 6 hours or more | NC State Extension Gardener, UF/IFAS Extension ENH121 |
| String of buttons Crassula perforata | Open | Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours; Full sun: 6 hours or more | NC State Extension Gardener, UF/IFAS Extension ENH121 |
| Panda plant Kalanchoe tomentosa | Open | Some direct sun: 2 to 6 hours; Full sun: 6 hours or more | NC State Extension Gardener, UF/IFAS Extension ENH121 |
Questions
Can succulents go in a closed terrarium?
UF/IFAS recommends open containers for succulents and dry-loving plants, because a closed one traps humidity. Put tropical plants in closed terrariums and succulents in open ones.
Where should a terrarium stand?
In bright, indirect light, such as near a north or north-east window, says UF/IFAS. Direct sun heats a closed container and burns the plants.
How many plants fit in one jar?
Start with two or three small plants with the same light and moisture needs, leaving room for them to grow. UF/IFAS suggests the smallest pots on offer, 2 to 4 inches.
Sources
- Each plant's light, height, and its terrarium, humidity or drought notes: its page in the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, linked from every plant above.
- Open containers for succulents and dry-loving plants, closed for tropical plants; bright, indirect light; 2- to 4-inch pots: Chairez, Vu and Park Brown, Plants and Youth: Designing and Building a Terrarium, UF/IFAS Extension ENH121 (revised April 2026).
- Creeping fig, prayer plant and earth star among foliage plants for small-mouthed terrariums; low-growing plants with matching light needs; ferns take over: Clemson Cooperative Extension, HGIC 1457, Indoor Plants – Terrariums.