Finding the Perfect Closed Terrarium Plants for Sale

Closed terrariums are mini indoor gardens encapsulated in glass These tiny ecosystems allow you to enjoy the beauty of living plants in a self-contained environment When shopping for closed terrarium plants, it’s important to find species that will thrive in the warm, humid conditions inside the terrarium. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best closed terrarium plants for sale and provide tips on how to choose the right ones.

What Are Closed Terrariums?

Closed terrariums are transparent glass containers housing a miniature world of plants and sometimes small animals. They are fully enclosed with just a small opening for access. This allows moisture to remain trapped inside creating a tropical greenhouse effect.

The humid still air provides ideal growing conditions for moisture-loving plants. With the right plant choices, closed terrariums can be low maintenance, self-sustaining ecosystems. All that’s needed is moderate daylight and occasional trimming.

Closed terrariums offer a fun way to grow exotic houseplants in a limited space. Their compact size makes them perfect for desks, shelves, and tabletops. Watching the plants thrive in their own little world can be both educational and relaxing.

Best Plants for Closed Terrariums

When selecting plants for a closed terrarium, choose species that prefer consistent warmth and high humidity. Most will be tropical forest understory plants naturally adapted to shady, humid environments. Some great options include:

Mosses

Mosses are essential for adding lush groundcover to closed terrariums. They thrive in the moist, low-light conditions. Popular choices are mood moss, fern moss, and sheet moss. The dense moss carpets help retain moisture and prevent soil erosion.

Ferns

Delicate tropical ferns lend an exotic, prehistoric ambiance to closed terrariums. Small bird’s nest ferns, maidenhair ferns, and button ferns are excellent choices. Their cascading fronds look stunning against the glass. Ferns help purify the air and prefer the stable humidity inside the enclosure.

Orchids

Miniature orchid varieties like bulbophyllums and lepanthes are ideal for closed terrariums. Their intricate flowers put on a spectacular show in the protected environment. Look for compact orchids that only reach a few inches tall. Mount them on pieces of bark or cork for the healthiest growth.

Bromeliads

Colorful bromeliads, such as neoregelias and cryptanthus, add striking rosettes of foliage to terrarium displays. They tolerate high humidity well and are epiphytic, meaning they can grow mounted on wood without soil. Bromeliads with bright bracts and striped leaves stand out against the green backdrop.

Tillandsias

Also known as air plants, tillandsias are another epiphytic choice that thrives in closed terrariums. Their unusual shapes and tufted foliage make them perfect small terrarium specimens. Look for miniature tillandsia species under 6 inches wide. Mount them on pieces of wood, cork, or stone.

Tropical Pitcher Plants

Exotic pitcher plants are carnivorous wonders perfect for closed terrariums. Their distinctive pitcher-shaped leaves trap insects to supplement their nutrients. Nepenthes and cephalotus species stay compact enough to include. Watching them catch bugs is an educational experience!

Tips for Selecting Closed Terrarium Plants

When shopping for plants, keep these tips in mind:

• Favor small, slow-growing varieties that won’t outgrow the space.

• Look for plants 6-12 inches tall at maturity. Miniature and dwarf cultivars are best.

• Choose plants with low to moderate light needs. Closed terrariums have low light levels.

• Select plants that naturally grow in humid, tropical environments like rainforests.

• Mosses, ferns, orchids, and other epiphytes are ideal since they thrive in moisture and indirect light.

• Avoid large-leaved, sun-loving plants. They will deteriorate in low light and cramped conditions.

• Research plant characteristics to ensure their requirements match the closed terrarium environment.

Where to Buy Closed Terrarium Plants

Specialized online plant nurseries offer the widest selection of plants suitable for closed terrariums. A few top retailers to browse include:

• Steve’s Leaves – This tropical plant nursery has a section dedicated to terrarium plants, including mosses, ferns, begonias, peperomias, and more.

• Little Prince Plants – Find a variety of small, rare indoor plants perfect for closed terrariums. Options include orchids, carnivorous plants, bromeliads, and trailing vines.

• Glass Box Tropicals – Specializes in terrarium plants and has extensive collections of tropical Asian pitcher plants.

• TropiCraft – Offers terrarium kits along with a nice selection of mosses, ferns, vines, and other moisture-loving plants.

Local plant nurseries and garden centers may carry a few suitable closed terrarium plants. Expand your options by visiting specialty greenhouses and plant shows. With the right plants, you can create a thriving living world inside a closed glass terrarium.

Caring for Closed Terrarium Plants

Caring for the plants inside a closed terrarium is relatively simple. Use these tips to help them thrive:

• Place in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun which can overheat the terrarium.

• Mist plants occasionally with distilled water to supplement humidity.

• Open terrarium once a month to prevent excess moisture buildup.

• Remove any rotting plant material immediately to prevent disease.

• Prune and trim plants when they outgrow the space.

• Divide root-bound plants and re-pot in fresh terrarium soil as needed.

• Add activated charcoal to soil to absorb odors and toxins.

• Monitor for pests like fungus gnats, mites, or aphids.

With proper plant choices and care, closed terrariums can provide years of enjoyment as low maintenance, self-contained worlds. Finding the right plants makes creating one of these miniature gardens easy and fun.