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A terrarium lives or dies by its plants. Pick species that love humidity and stay small, and a closed glass jar can thrive for years with almost no effort. Pick the wrong ones — sun-loving or fast-growing plants — and you’ll be fighting rot and overgrowth within weeks. Here are the plants that genuinely work, split by the type of terrarium you’re building.

First, open or closed?

This decision determines everything. Closed terrariums (lidded jars) trap humidity and recycle moisture — perfect for tropical, humidity-loving plants. Open terrariums have airflow and dry out, which suits succulents, cacti, and air plants. Never put a succulent in a closed jar, or a fern in an open dish; matching the plant to the environment is the whole game. If you want a shortcut, a complete terrarium kit with plants pairs the right vessel and species together.

Best plants for closed terrariums

  • Fittonia (nerve plant) — vivid veined leaves, loves humidity, stays compact.
  • Mosses — the classic terrarium carpet. Cushion and sheet moss establish fast and hold humidity.
  • Miniature ferns (button fern, lemon button) — thrive in still, moist air.
  • Baby tears (Pilea) — delicate creeping ground cover.

Best plants for open terrariums

Open glass suits drought-tolerant plants: small succulents like echeveria and haworthia, miniature cacti, and air plants, which need no soil at all. Plant these in a gritty cactus & succulent mix so excess water drains away fast.

What you need to build one

A terrarium has no drainage hole, so you build drainage into the layers. From the bottom up: a drainage layer of LECA clay balls, a thin filter of activated charcoal to keep the water fresh, then your substrate and plants. Choose a geometric glass terrarium container that gives your plants room to grow without touching the glass.

Keeping it alive

  • Light: bright, indirect only — direct sun cooks a closed terrarium.
  • Water: closed terrariums rarely need it; if you see constant heavy fog, crack the lid for a day.
  • Trim: snip anything that outgrows the space or yellows, to keep the mini-ecosystem balanced.

Where to go next

Explore more builds and ideas in our Terrariums hub. Adding animals to the mix? A bioactive vivarium needs the right inhabitants — our sister site ItsyBitsyPets.com covers terrarium creatures like dart frogs and jumping spiders, while we handle the plant side.