Air Plants (Tillandsia)

Open Terrarium / Potted: Air plants can be placed in an open terrarium or potted. They need to be misted once a week. You can also soak them in water for 15-20 minutes once a month. Ensure they have bright, indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves. Air plants cannot be potted in regular soil, as they absorb moisture through their leaves.

Enclosed Terrarium: Air plants can be placed in an enclosed terrarium, but they need careful monitoring. If condensation forms inside the terrarium, watering is likely not required. Ensure there is enough airflow to prevent excessive moisture that could lead to mold. Bright, indirect light is essential for their growth.

Care Notes: Air plants grow slowly and are small, making them ideal for small spaces. They thrive in moderate to high humidity, but excessive moisture can cause rot. To propagate, air plants produce pups (small offsets) that can be separated and grown into new plants.

Moss Varieties (Sheet Moss, Cushion Moss)

Open Terrarium / Potted: Moss thrives in an open terrarium or a potted setup where it remains moist but not waterlogged. Mist every few days to keep it hydrated. It prefers low to moderate indirect light and should be kept away from direct sunlight to prevent drying out.

Enclosed Terrarium: Moss does best in an enclosed terrarium, as it thrives in the high humidity. If there is condensation present inside the enclosed terrarium, watering is not necessary. If no condensation is visible and the moss starts to dry out, lightly mist it. Bright, indirect light is essential.

Care Notes: Moss grows slowly but can spread and cover the substrate. It is perfect for creating a lush, green carpet in terrariums. It propagates through spores, and small pieces can be relocated to encourage growth in new areas.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Open Terrarium / Potted: Peace Lilies can be potted or placed in an open terrarium. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. They prefer bright, indirect light but will tolerate low light, though they may not flower in darker areas. If you choose to grow them in water, ensure the roots are submerged but not fully submerged in water to avoid rot. Change the water regularly (every week) to keep it fresh.

Enclosed Terrarium: In an enclosed terrarium, Peace Lilies do not thrive as well due to high humidity and limited airflow. If condensation is visible inside the terrarium, you likely don’t need to water the Peace Lily. Bright, indirect light is still essential for flowering.

Care Notes: Peace Lilies grow at a moderate rate and can become large over time. They are tolerant of low light, but they thrive in bright conditions and moderate humidity. Peace Lilies propagate by dividing the plant at the roots and replanting.

Miniature Peperomia (Peperomia Prostrata, Peperomia Rotundifolia)

Open Terrarium / Potted: Peperomia varieties do well in open terrariums or pots. They prefer well-draining soil and should be watered when the top inch of soil dries out. They need bright, indirect light, though they can tolerate low light, which may cause them to become leggy.

Enclosed Terrarium: In an enclosed terrarium, Peperomia should be watered sparingly to avoid rot. If condensation is visible, watering may not be needed. They thrive in bright, indirect light and benefit from some airflow to prevent overly humid conditions.

Care Notes: Peperomia is a slow-growing, compact plant, perfect for small spaces. They thrive in moderate humidity and are relatively easy to propagate through stem cuttings. Peperomia is not fussy about humidity but prefers it moderate.

Fittonia (Nerve Plant)

Open Terrarium / Potted: Fittonia thrives in open terrariums and pots where the soil stays consistently moist. Mist regularly to maintain humidity. It requires bright, indirect light, but avoid direct sunlight as it can scorch its delicate leaves.

Enclosed Terrarium: Fittonia loves high humidity and will do well in an enclosed terrarium. If condensation builds up, no additional watering is necessary. Mist lightly to maintain humidity. Bright, indirect light is essential for the plant’s health.

Care Notes: Fittonia grows moderately and remains compact, making it ideal for terrariums. It thrives in high humidity and moderate temperatures (65-75°F). To propagate, take stem cuttings and root them in water or soil.

Pilea Microphylla (Artillery Plant)

Open Terrarium / Potted: Pilea can be potted or placed in an open terrarium. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, and water when the top inch dries out. Bright, indirect light is preferred, though Pilea can tolerate low light.

Enclosed Terrarium: In an enclosed terrarium, Pilea should be watered sparingly. If condensation is visible, it indicates sufficient moisture, and no watering is needed. Ensure bright, indirect light for the plant’s growth.

Care Notes: Pilea grows at a moderate pace and will spread over time. It thrives in high humidity and moderate temperatures. It can be propagated by cutting and rooting the stems in water or soil.

Springtails

In a Terrarium (Enclosed/Open): Springtails thrive in both open and enclosed terrariums where the environment is moist and filled with organic matter. If the terrarium has condensation, they likely don’t need additional moisture. Mist occasionally to maintain a humid environment. They don’t need direct light.

Care Notes: Springtails thrive on decaying organic matter and are crucial for maintaining the health of a bioactive terrarium. They reproduce quickly and can be kept well-fed with leaf litter and decaying plant material. Springtails will help clean up the terrarium by consuming mold, decaying plants, and other organic material.

Isopods (Slate Grey, Powder Orange, Powder Blue)

In a Terrarium (Enclosed/Open): Isopods can live in either an open or enclosed terrarium. Ensure the terrarium is misted regularly to maintain the right humidity. If the enclosed terrarium has condensation, no watering is needed, but if the substrate is too dry, they may require additional moisture.

Care Notes: Isopods breed rapidly in a moist environment and are excellent decomposers. They feed on decaying plant material, so it’s important to provide a steady supply of leaf litter. Their populations grow quickly when the environment is right. They don’t need direct light and prefer dark, moist conditions.

Moss (Sphagnum Moss)

Open Terrarium / Potted: Moss can be used in an open terrarium or in a pot. Mist regularly to maintain moisture, and ensure it is kept in a cool, shaded area. Direct sunlight can dry it out, so it should be placed in indirect light.

Enclosed Terrarium: Moss thrives in an enclosed terrarium. If condensation is present inside, no extra watering is needed. Keep the terrarium’s light levels bright and indirect, and mist occasionally to maintain moisture if needed.

Care Notes: Moss is slow-growing but can spread over time, covering the substrate. It thrives in cooler, humid environments. Moss propagates through spores, and small pieces can be relocated to new areas to encourage growth.

General Care Notes for Terrarium Plants:

Light: Most plants in terrariums prefer bright, indirect light, but some can tolerate lower light levels (e.g., moss, Pilea). Avoid direct sunlight, as it can heat up the terrarium and harm the plants.

Watering: Watering depends on whether the terrarium is enclosed or open. Enclosed terrariums retain moisture and typically require less frequent watering. If condensation is visible inside, watering may not be necessary. Open terrariums, on the other hand, will require more frequent misting to maintain moisture.

Humidity: Most plants in terrariums, especially moss and ferns, thrive in high humidity. If the environment is too dry, mist regularly to maintain adequate moisture. For enclosed terrariums, monitor condensation to gauge when to water.

Pruning: Regular pruning helps to keep plants in check, especially for fast-growing varieties like Fittonia. Prune back leggy or overgrown stems to maintain the terrarium’s shape and prevent overcrowding.

Propagation: Many plants can be propagated through stem or leaf cuttings, while moss and air plants propagate through pups or spores. Keep an eye on your plants and propagate as needed to keep your terrarium thriving.