Best Plants for a Terrarium in 2025
Crafting a terrarium isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about creating balance and harmony with plants, and being able to house certain plants that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to in UK home conditions. With the right plants, you can build a self-sustaining slice of the tropics.
Why Choosing the Right Plants Matters
Terrariums, by design, are humid, compact environments with limited airflow. While this mimics a tropical understory beautifully, it’s not suitable for every houseplant. To thrive inside glass, plants need to be slow-growing, humidity-loving, and tolerant of low light.
Below, we highlight five of the best plant groups for terrarium setups – all tried, tested, and regularly used by our team in builds from micro tanks to large-format showcases.
Biophytum
Native to: Tropical Asia and Africa
Perfect for: Centrepiece planting in nano to mid-size terrariums
Biophytum sensitivum is sometimes referred to as the “miniature tree” of the terrarium world, and for good reason. This palm-like gem forms a single rosette of delicate, fern-like leaves that respond to touch and light. It’s compact, elegant, and thrives in the humid stillness of a closed setup.
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Loves high humidity and stable warmth
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Compact and slow-growing – ideal for long-term displays
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Great in soil mixes with added sphagnum for moisture retention
Top tip: Don’t overwater. A damp substrate with good airflow around the base is ideal.
Pilea
Native to: Tropical America & Southeast Asia
Perfect for: Foreground planting, horizontal spread, moisture regulation
Small-leaved Pilea species like Pilea depressa, Pilea Norfolk and Pilea microphylla are the backbone of many terrarium builds. They provide visual softness, horizontal coverage, and help buffer humidity across the soil layer – a living mulch, if you like.
These fast growers are easy to trim and train, making them ideal for shaping into a design. Many also add unexpected texture, from glaucous silver tones to puckered emerald green.
Why we love it: Reliable, fast to establish, and easy to propagate.
Labisia
Native to: Malaysia and the surrounding tropics
Perfect for: Foliage contrast, low light spots, subtle sophistication
Underused but increasingly sought-after, the Labisia genus is a stunning addition to terrariums. It thrives in low light and loves the kind of humidity sealed terrariums provide. With dark, often iridescent leaves and a slow growth rate, it’s ideal for accent planting without the risk of it outcompeting neighbours.
The Labisia pumila is a particular favourite for collectors!
Care tip: Ensure a well-draining mix (add bark or perlite) and avoid water pooling at the crown.
Begonia
Native to: Global tropics, especially Southeast Asia
Perfect for: Colour, texture, and focal point planting
Not all begonias work in terrariums – but the ones that do, really work. Compact rhizomatous types such as Begonia Pink Spot, Begonia ferox, or iridescent species like Begonia blancii 'Mottled' bring drama to your setup with minimal fuss.
They need consistent humidity and bright, filtered light. While they're prone to mildew in stagnant air, a properly ventilated terrarium solves that with ease.
Bonus: Many terrarium Begonias stay petite, making them perfect for long-term balance.
Ferns
Native to: Global moist forests
Perfect for: Filling space, balancing humidity, and textural variety
Ferns are foundational in terrariums. From the finely-divided Microgramma to the architectural fronds of Microsorum or Asplenium, they offer instant lushness. Better still, they act like living sponges – regulating humidity and adding visual softness to stone or wood hardscapes.
Choose slower-growing varieties and avoid those that get too large too quickly.
Pro tip: Remove browning fronds promptly to avoid introducing mould into a closed system.
Substrate & Setup Tips from the Experts
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Use a chunky, aerated tropical substrate with added sphagnum moss, orchid bark, and horticultural charcoal for root health and longevity, like our ABG Terrarium Potting Mix.
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Incorporate LECA or lava rock as a drainage layer if you're building in a sealed jar or bottle.
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Position your terrarium in a bright but indirect light location – too much direct sun will cook your plants.
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Ventilate regularly or include a vent hole to prevent stale air, especially if using begonias or other moisture-sensitive foliage.
Ready to Build Your Miniature World?
At GrowTropicals, we source and grow an ever-evolving range of terrarium-suitable plants – including rare, collector-grade specimens and proven classics. Every plant in our Terrarium Collection is selected for long-term performance inside glass.