Information Needed for What Plants to Put Into a Terrarium

Terrariums are often used to house reptiles and invertebrates like spiders and scorpions. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, climates and themes, all of which contribute to what type of plants can thrive in them. Live plants add a naturalistic touch to any terrarium that can rarely be matched by artificial plants, but it's important to consider some basic information about your terrarium before deciding what plants would be the most suitable.

  1. Temperature

    • The temperature of the terrarium is very important in determining what kind of plants can thrive within its walls. The plants placed into a terrarium should thrive best in temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s (Fahrenheit), as this is the typical temperature used to maintain a healthy reptile.

    Humidity

    • Terrarium plants should also have a high tolerance for humidity, as many jungle-esque terrariums, especially ones that include at least half water, will be very moist. Before purchasing a plant, make sure that it's suitable to the humidity your terrarium will experience. A desert terrarium, for example, like ones used for Bearded Dragons of Leopard Geckos, will have a much lower humidity and demand plants that are tolerant of an arid climate.

    Size and Growth Speed

    • Never overlook the size of plants. If you have a very small terrarium, it's imperative that whatever plants you put into it are slow-growing and won't take over your tank. For example, creeping fig and baby tears are both very aggressive plants that will completely take over a small tank. However, aggressive plants can be less damaging and easier to control via pruning in a larger terrarium.

    Light

    • The amount of light your terrarium is exposed to will directly affect what kind of plants you can put into it. Having your terrarium in direct sunlight will limit the type of plants you can put in, as a majority prefer bright UV light as opposed to direct sunlight.

    Animals

    • What type of animals you have in the terrarium should also determine what plants you use. Low-lying animals like ball pythons will prefer things like moss that are low to the ground and easy to hide in. Arboreal frogs, however, like dart frogs or tree frogs, will prefer high, strong plants that they can climb, like bamboo.