45 Best Small Terrarium Plants | Mini Plants For Closed Terrariums

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Here are the Best Plants for Terrariums to brighten up any room with a small bowl of happiness and greenery.

Terrariums are extremely popular as they provide greenery and freshness indoors without occupying much space. These Best Plants for Terrariums are vibrant, unique, colorful, and eye-catching to uplift any space of your home in a fun way.

Check out the Best Terrariums Plants here


Best Small Terrarium Plants

1. Golden Clubmoss

Best Small Terrarium Plants 1
thehypertufagardener

Botanical Name: Selaginella kraussiana ‘Aurea’

The Golden Clubmoss is one of the Best Small Terrarium Plants since it needs little maintenance and is easy to grow. The moss can also be paired with other terrarium plants.

2. Aquamarine Pilea

Small Terrarium Plants 2

Botanical Name: Pilea glauca

With long delicate stems with thick tear-shaped leaves, the Aquamarine Pilea is a great mini plant for terrariums.

3. Nerve Plant

Small Terrarium Plants 3
Emma

Botanical Name: Fittonia albivenis

The Nerve Plant is a stunning mini terrarium plant with beautiful deep green-pink leaves and white-colored veins.

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4. Polka Dot Plant

Best Small Terrarium Plants 4
bloomingbiomes

Botanical Name: Hypoestes phyllostachys

The Polka Dot Plant is an extremely attractive terrarium plant with beautiful leaves that are covered in rose, lavender, and pink spots.

5. Black Mondo Grass

Small Terrarium Plants 5
gardensandpolkadots

Botanical Name: Ophiopogon planiscapus

This simple yet captivating grass is one of the best mini choices with its thick, narrow, and black leaves.

6. Mother FernSmall Terrarium Plants 6

Botanical Name: Asplenium bulbiferum

An elegant and soft mini plant for terrariums, the Mother Fern is an excellent choice for an open terrarium.

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7. Strawberry Begonia

Small Terrarium Plants 7
reddit

Botanical Name: Saxifraga stolonifera

The Strawberry Begonia has beautiful hairy green and violet leaves covered in white veins with pink-red edges that entice everyone, making it one of the great Small Terrarium Plants.

8. Asparagus Fern

Best Small Terrarium Plants 8
CROATOAN

Botanical Name: Asparagus aethiopicus

The Asparagus Fern has thin stems with narrow needle-like leaves of bright green that make it look like a miniature tree.

9. Peacock Fern

Small Terrarium Plants 9
reddit

Botanical Name: Selaginella uncinata

Another lovely fern, the Peacock Fern, is an easy-to-grow mini plant with beautiful and soft blue-green foliage.

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10. Creeping Fig

Small Terrarium Plants 10
Roosevelt’s Terrariums

Botanical Name: Ficus pumila

With a miniature size and glossy heart-shaped leaves, the Creeping Fig is an amazing mini plant for terrariums that is also the perfect ground cover.

11. Vining Fern

Small Terrarium Plants 11

Botanical Name: Humata heterophylla

The Vining Fern is a beautiful mini plant for terrariums with gorgeous light green leaves with a ridged texture.

12. English Ivy

Best Small Terrarium Plants 12
Maria Colletti Green Terrariums

Botanical Name: Hedera helix

The English Ivy displays dark umbrella-shaped leaves and clustered light green blooms.

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13. Peacock Plant

Small Terrarium Plants 13

Botanical Name: Calathea makoyana

Also called the Zebra plant, the Peacock plant has stunning patterned leaves that are green at the top and pink-red at the bottom.

14. Venus Flytrap

Small Terrarium Plants 14
123rf

Botanical Name: Dionaea muscipula

With white flowers and stems leading up to tiny traps for insects, the Venus Flytrap is a unique mini plant for terrariums.

15. Maidenhair Vine

Small Terrarium Plants 15
reddit

Botanical Name: Muehlenbeckia complexa

The Maidenhair vine is a delicate vine with a red-brown stem that bears glossy deep green leaves.

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16. String of Turtles

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benji_plant

Botanical Name: Peperomia prostrata

The String of Turtles is another excellent choice for small terrarium plants with long fleshy leaves resembling turtle shells, earning the plant its name.

17. Variegated Spider Plant

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Botanical Name: Chlorophytum Comosum

With a miniature size and narrow leaves of light green with a white-yellow stripe, the Variegated Spider Plant displays beautiful foliage.

18. Cactus

Small Terrarium Plants 18

Botanical Name: Cactaceae

Cacti are a great choice for small terrariums, and you can easily keep them on windowsills and coffee tables this way.

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19. Watermelon Dischidia

Small Terrarium Plants 19

Botanical Name: Dischidia ovata

With dark green and white leaves, the Watermelon Dischidia is a great terrarium plant that also bears green-yellow blossoms.

20. Mood Moss

Best Small Terrarium Plants 20
joshsfrogs

Botanical Name: Dicranum scoparium

A thick and rich foliage of bright green, the mood moss is the perfect mini plant for terrariums, one that complements others as well.

21. Miniature Orchid

Small Terrarium Plants 21
pinterest

Botanical Name: Epidendrum fimbriatum

A cute miniature orchid that looks just like its larger counterpart, the Miniature Orchid is definitely an eye-turner for terrariums.

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22. Baby’s Tears

Small Terrarium Plants 22
reddit

Botanical Name: Soleirolia soleirolii

Baby’s Tears are one of the best small terrarium plants with dense tiny, and delicate leaves.

23. Weeping Fig Bonsai

Small Terrarium Plants 23
esty

Botanical Name: Ficus benjamina

An evergreen bonsai with glossy foliage, the Weeping Fig is a great closed terrarium plant that prefers the sun.

24. Golden Pothos

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Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum

Also called the Devil’s Ivy, the Golden Pothos is extremely attractive owing to its dual-toned green-golden leaves.

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25. Croton

Small Terrarium Plants 25
reddit

Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum

The Croton is a beautiful bushy shrub of multi-colored leaves of red, violet, green, and yellow.

26. Prayer Plant

Small Terrarium Plants 26
achildrensbookworld

Botanical Name: Maranta Leuconeura

The Prayer Plant entices everyone who looks at your terrarium with its emerald leaves complemented with darker spots near the midrib.

27. Mini Asian Water Fern

Small Terrarium Plants 27
terrariumtribe

Botanical Name: Bolbitis heteroclita ‘Difformis’

The Mini Asian Water Fern is another of the great Small Terrarium Plants with its elegant, flowing green leaves.

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28. Sphagnum Moss

Best Small Terrarium Plants 28
carousell

Botanical Name: Sphagnum capillifolium

The Sphagnum Moss is a brilliant mini plant with luscious, soft, and star-shaped green-yellow leaves.

29. Air Plant

Small Terrarium Plants 29
shutterstock/enchanted_fairy

Botanical Name: Tillandsia

A great mini plant for terrariums, the Air Plant is beautiful with its long, narrow, and fleshy leaves.

30. Fluffy Ruffles Sword Fern

Small Terrarium Plants 30
London Botanica

Botanical Name: Nephrolepis Exaltata

With soft and ruffled foliage, the Fluffy Ruffles Sword Fern is a great choice for terrariums owing to its low maintenance and compact growth habit.

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31. Aluminum Plant

Small Terrarium Plants 31

Botanical Name: Pilea Cadierei

Another plant for mini terrariums, the Aluminum Plant, is known for its vibrant leaves with silver spots along the leaves’ lateral veins.

32. Korean Rock Fern

Best Small Terrarium Plants 32

Botanical Name: Polystichum Tsus-Simense

The Korean Rock Fern has attractive deep green fronds, making it a beautiful ground cover for terrariums.

33. Rainbow Marcgravia

Small Terrarium Plants 33

Botanical Name: Marcgravia Sintenisii

With thick uniquely-shaped leaves of green and pink growing from pink stems, the Rainbow Marcgravia is worthy of its name and a beautiful terrarium plant.

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34. African Violet

Small Terrarium Plants 34
potterybarn

Botanical Name: Saintpaulia

A cluster of fuzzy leaves and purple blooms, the African Violet is an alluring terrarium plant.

35. Moon Valley Friendship

Small Terrarium Plants 35
reddit

Botanical Name: Pilea Involucrata

Also called the Friendship Plant, the Moon Valley Friendship has bright green-pink leaves with a soft texture that makes any terrarium attractive.

36. Baby Rubber Plant

Best Small Terrarium Plants 36
mijn_stekkie_033

Botanical Name: Peperomia Obtusifolia

Baby Rubber Plants have spoon-shaped thick leaves that entice everyone with their glossy appearance, making them one of the Best Small Terrarium Plants.

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37. Dwarf Golden Sweet Flag

Small Terrarium Plants 37

Botanical Name: Acorus gramineus ‘Minimus Aureus’

A beautiful dense shrub of green and gold, the Dwarf Golden Sweet Flag is a gorgeous mini plant for terrariums with its long pointy leaves.

38. Flapjack

Small Terrarium Plants 38

Botanical Name: Kalanchoe thyrsiflora

With smooth leaves of light green and pink-red edges, the Flapjack is a unique beauty and a good option for a terrarium.

39. Zebra Plant

Small Terrarium Plants 39

Botanical Name: Aphelandra squarrosa

With thick leaves covered in horizontal stripes like a zebra, the Zebra plant is an amazing terrarium addition.

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40. Hen and Chicks

Best Small Terrarium Plants 40
shutterstock/Farhad Ibrahimzade

Botanical Name: Echeveria Elegans

Also called House Leeks, Hens and Chicks are excellent mini terrarium plants with vibrant red, green, violet, and yellow foliage.

41. Jade Plant

Small Terrarium Plants 41
floweraura

Botanical Name: Crassula Ovata

The Jade Plant has thick, oval, and dark green leaves that allure everyone, earning the plant its place among the Small Terrarium Plants.

42. Mikado Plant

Small Terrarium Plants 42
leavesandfronds

Botanical Name: Syngonanthus Chrysanthus

With delicate long stems and tiny white flowers, the Mikado is a minimalistic beauty for terrariums.

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43. Neoregelia Fireball

Small Terrarium Plants 43
nano_naturaquarien

Botanical Name: Neoregelia Fireball

A slow grower with captivating purple blooms, the Neoregelia Fireball looks beautiful in a terrarium.

44. Mother of Pearl

Best Small Terrarium Plants 44
justhomegardening

Botanical Name: Graptopetalum Paraguayense

A low-maintenance succulent, the Mother of Pearl has a rose-like appearance, making it a great mini plant for terrariums.

45. Earth Star

Small Terrarium Plants 45
Chris W.

Botanical Name: Cryptanthus Bivittatus

A stunning bloom of bright pink, the Earth Star catches everyone’s gaze and needs little maintenance.

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