Last week we talked about the perks of building a terrarium. While building one is easy, knowing which plant to make with may not be. So today, we will delve into one of the specifics of terrarium building, namely, introduce the various types of plants commonly found in a terrarium. So the next time you build your terrarium, you can make an informed decision.
1. Fittonia
There is no plant more fitting for the top of the list than the Fittonia Nerve plant. The plant is also known as the mosaic plant, having roots in the South America rainforest. The plant is a tropical species, getting an all year round green allure, coupled with beautiful veins that contrast with the olive green, such as silver white and pink. Not all Fittonia have the same colour scheme, but they all look distinctively elegant with the secondary coloured veins. Moreover, the plant thrives in a terrarium setting. It detests direct sunlight instead preferring the fluorescent light and also needing little water to sustain itself. In a non-terrarium setting, this plant could be a piece of work to handle, which is why it is a match made in heaven for the terrarium. It is no surprise that the Fittonia plant is fit to be first on this list.
2. Succulent
Next up on the list are the succulents. As the word succulent implies, these plants have parts that are thick and juicy, capable of holding liquid in them to ensure survival in the arid climate. This unique quality, along with their differentiated appearance, makes their kind suitable for living in a terrarium – To look attractive and not be needy (water), kind of like what we are looking for in our partners too. Some of the famous succulents we are probably acquainted with already are Aloe Vera and the subgroup of cacti. Do note that a sealed terrarium will not be good for the succulent.
3. Carnivorous
If I had to pick one plant for my very own terrarium, I would pick the Venus Fly Trap. It’s like keeping a pet demon in my room whose favourite snack happens to be Singaporean’s greatest enemy, the annoying Mosquitoes. With fang-like jaws ready to be unleashed, it is a badass looking terrarium. A point to note, while the plant can survive without insect food for a month or two, if it fails to find its prey, someone has to feed it a live one somehow. Still, this is no reason to stop from having a mosquito rattrap. If the fangs are not your preferred weapons of choice, there is also the pitcher plant with its bottomless pit and the Butterworts with its sticky trap. The arsenal is plentiful to choose from.
4. Peperomia
While the Peperomia species look luscious, there is no distinct characteristic on the outside, like that of the cacti or Fittonia species. Though generally, they do have thick stout stems and fleshy leaves. These can often be used in combination with ferns for the best aesthetic look. They are generally easy to maintain which makes them ideal for a terrarium. Do share your thoughts on which terrarium plant you plan on doing and any tips that you may want to add.