Best Plants For Open Terrariums – 12 Hardy Picks For A Thriving
Ever gaze at a stunning open terrarium, with its tiny, perfect landscape, and think, “I could never keep that alive”? It’s a common feeling. You worry about overwatering, finding the right light, or choosing plants that just immediately give up. It can feel like you need a magical green thumb to succeed.
I’m here to promise you that creating a gorgeous, long-lasting mini-garden is so much easier than you think. The secret isn’t some innate talent—it’s about choosing the right team of plants from the very beginning. It’s about picking tough, forgiving plants that actually prefer the conditions of an open container.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through the absolute best plants for open terrariums. We’ll explore how to select the perfect combination for your space, cover an essential care guide to prevent common problems, and give you the confidence to build a miniature ecosystem you can be proud of. Let’s get growing!
Why Open Terrariums are Different (and Why Plant Choice is Crucial)
Before we dive into our favorite plants, let’s quickly chat about what makes an open terrarium unique. Unlike their sealed, high-humidity cousins, open terrariums have constant airflow. This is a game-changer for the plants that can thrive inside.
Think of it this way: a closed terrarium is like a tropical rainforest, while an open terrarium is more like an arid or temperate environment. The air circulation means moisture evaporates much faster, creating a drier environment that is perfect for certain types of plants and deadly for others.
The primary benefits of best plants for open terrariums are that they are specifically adapted to these conditions. They typically require less water, are less prone to rot, and enjoy the brighter, drier air. Choosing the wrong plant—like a moisture-loving fern—is the number one reason terrariums fail. But don’t worry, we’re about to make sure that doesn’t happen to you.
Our Top Picks: The 12 Best Plants for Open Terrariums
Ready for the fun part? Here is our go-to list of resilient, beautiful, and beginner-friendly plants that are perfect for your open terrarium project. We’ve broken them down into categories to help you mix and match.
Category 1: Succulents and Cacti
These are the undisputed champions of open terrariums. They store water in their leaves and stems, so they are incredibly drought-tolerant and thrive in the dry, airy environment.
-
Haworthia (Zebra Plant): With its striking white stripes and compact size, the Zebra Plant is a visual superstar. It stays small and tolerates lower light better than most other succulents, making it incredibly versatile.
-
Echeveria: These rosette-shaped succulents come in stunning colors, from pale greens to deep purples. They love bright, indirect light and will add a beautiful focal point to your design. Pro-tip: Water the soil, not the rosette, to prevent rot.
-
Gasteria (“Ox Tongue”): Known for its thick, tongue-shaped leaves, Gasteria is tough as nails. It handles lower light conditions well and is a very slow grower, meaning it won’t outgrow your container quickly.
-
Sempervivum (“Hens and Chicks”): This classic succulent forms tight rosettes (the “hens”) that produce smaller offshoots (the “chicks”). They are incredibly hardy and create a wonderful ground-cover effect over time.
Category 2: Air Plants (Tillandsia)
Air plants are a fantastic, soil-free option! They absorb moisture and nutrients through their leaves, so you can simply place them on top of sand, rocks, or wood. They bring an exotic, otherworldly vibe to any terrarium.
-
Tillandsia ionantha: These are the small, spiky air plants you often see in terrarium kits. They’re easy to care for and even “blush” with a beautiful red or pink hue when they are about to bloom. Just be sure to give them a good soak every week or two!
-
Tillandsia xerographica: The “Queen of Air Plants,” this species has stunning, silvery-green leaves that curl into a dramatic rosette. While larger, a small specimen makes a breathtaking centerpiece in a bigger open terrarium.
Category 3: Hardy Foliage Plants
If you want a more traditional “leafy” look without the high humidity needs, these plants are your best bet. They are tougher and more drought-tolerant than their tropical counterparts.
-
Fittonia (Nerve Plant): Okay, this one is a slight exception, as it likes a bit more moisture than succulents. However, in a larger open terrarium where the soil can retain some moisture, its beautifully veined leaves in pink, red, or white are worth it. Just be prepared to water it a bit more often.
-
Peperomia (Radiator Plant): Many Peperomia varieties, like Peperomia prostrata (String of Turtles), are semi-succulent with fleshy leaves. They stay compact, come in amazing textures and patterns, and don’t demand much water.
-
Pilea depressa (“Baby Tears”): Not to be confused with the high-humidity true Baby’s Tears, this Pilea has tiny, succulent-like leaves that form a dense, trailing mat. It’s perfect for spilling over the edge of a bowl or creating a lush carpet.
-
Cryptanthus (“Earth Star”): A type of terrestrial bromeliad, the Earth Star has a flat, star-shaped profile and comes in incredible colors and patterns. It stays low to the ground and enjoys bright light and good airflow.
Category 4: Ground Cover and Accents
These plants are perfect for filling in the gaps and adding texture to your miniature landscape.
-
Sedum (Stonecrop): Varieties like ‘Tokyo Sun’ or ‘Angelina’ are creeping succulents that create a vibrant chartreuse or golden carpet. They are extremely drought-tolerant and fill in spaces beautifully.
-
Pincushion Moss (Leucobryum glaucum): While most mosses need high humidity, Pincushion Moss is more tolerant of drying out. Use it in small clumps for a pop of vibrant green. A light misting every few days will keep it happy.
How to Best Plants for Open Terrariums: A Selection Guide
A list of plants is a great start, but the real magic happens when you combine them. This is the essence of how to best plants for open terrariums—it’s about creating a community. Here are some key considerations to guide you.
Consider Your Light Source
Where will your terrarium live? A spot with bright, indirect sun is the sweet spot for most of the plants on our list. Succulents like Echeveria need more light to prevent stretching, while plants like Haworthia and Gasteria are more forgiving of lower-light conditions.
Group Plants with Similar Needs
This is the golden rule of terrarium building. Don’t mix a desert-loving succulent with a moisture-craving Fittonia in the same small bowl. The succulent will rot, or the Fittonia will dry out. Stick to one “theme”—either a succulent/cacti terrarium or a hardy foliage terrarium.
Think About Scale and Texture
Vary the height and shape of your plants to create visual interest. Use a taller plant like a Haworthia as a focal point, a mid-size Echeveria next to it, and a creeping Sedum as a ground cover. This “thriller, filler, spiller” concept from container gardening works perfectly here!
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Choices
One of the best eco-friendly best plants for open terrariums practices is propagation! Many of these plants, especially succulents like Sempervivum and Sedum, are incredibly easy to propagate from cuttings or offshoots. You can create new terrariums for free or share with friends, promoting a sustainable hobby.
Your Open Terrarium Care Guide: Best Practices for Success
You’ve chosen your plants and built your masterpiece. Now what? Following this simple best plants for open terrariums care guide will ensure your creation thrives for years to come.
Watering Wisely: The ‘Less is More’ Approach
Overwatering is the #1 killer of open terrarium plants. Because there is no drainage hole, excess water pools at the bottom and causes root rot.
-
Always check the soil first. It should be completely dry to at least an inch deep before you even think about watering.
-
Use a small tool. A small watering can, a syringe, or even a turkey baster allows you to direct a small amount of water to the base of each plant, avoiding the leaves.
-
When in doubt, wait. These plants are far more likely to forgive you for underwatering than overwatering.
Let There Be Light (But Not Too Much)
Most of these plants thrive in bright, indirect light. A spot near an east-facing window or a few feet back from a south or west-facing window is ideal. Direct, scorching sun can burn the delicate leaves, especially through the glass of the container which can act like a magnifying glass.
Pruning and Maintenance
A little cleanup goes a long way. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves promptly to prevent decay and potential mold. If a plant starts to get too “leggy” (stretched out from lack of light), you can prune it back to encourage bushier growth.
Common Problems with Open Terrarium Plants (and How to Fix Them)
Even with the best care, you might run into a few issues. Don’t panic! Here’s how to tackle the most common problems with best plants for open terrariums.
Problem: Mold or Fungus on the Soil
This is almost always a sign of too much moisture and not enough air circulation.
Solution: Gently scrape the mold off the surface. Let the terrarium dry out completely for a week or two. You can also sprinkle a tiny bit of ground cinnamon on the soil, which is a natural fungicide.
Problem: Stretched, Leggy Plants
This is called etiolation, and it means your plants are desperately stretching for more light.
Solution: Move your terrarium to a brighter location. You can prune the stretched parts, and the plant will often produce new, more compact growth from the base.
Problem: Gnats or Pests
Fungus gnats are tiny flies that are attracted to damp soil.
Solution: This is another sign of overwatering. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings. You can also use sticky traps to catch the adult flies and break their life cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Plants for Open Terrariums
Can I use moss in an open terrarium?
You can, but you have to be selective! Most mosses need constant high humidity and will quickly dry out and turn brown in an open container. A more forgiving choice is Pincushion Moss (Leucobryum), which can tolerate drier periods better than sheet mosses.
How often should I fertilize my open terrarium plants?
Very rarely, if ever. Terrariums are slow-growing environments, and you don’t want to encourage rapid growth that will quickly overcrowd the container. A highly diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer applied once a year in the spring is more than enough.
What is the best soil mix for an open terrarium?
The ideal mix depends on your plants. For succulents and cacti, use a fast-draining cactus/succulent mix with added perlite or pumice for extra aeration. For the foliage plants on our list, a standard potting mix blended with some perlite and orchid bark works well to improve drainage.
Can I mix succulents and tropical plants in the same terrarium?
We strongly advise against it. It’s a very common beginner mistake. Succulents need dry conditions, and tropical plants need moisture and humidity. They have completely opposite needs, and one group will inevitably suffer and die. It’s best to stick to one theme per container.
Your Thriving Mini-World Awaits
Creating a beautiful open terrarium isn’t about luck or some mystical gift. It’s about knowledge and making smart choices from the start. By choosing from this list of tough, forgiving, and beautiful plants, you are setting yourself up for success.
You now have the plant knowledge, the selection tips, and the care guide needed to build a stunning miniature garden that doesn’t just survive, but truly thrives. Trust your choices, remember that less water is more, and enjoy the process of watching your tiny ecosystem come to life.
Go ahead—pick out your container and a few new plant friends. Your beautiful, thriving mini-world is waiting for you to create it.
- Amano Shrimp Temperature Range – How To Boost Health, Color, And - September 12, 2025
- How Many Amano Shrimp In 55 Gallon: Your Complete Algae-Busting - September 12, 2025
- Will Amano Shrimp Eat Fish Fry – A Breeder’S Guide To Protecting Your - September 12, 2025