Ten Terrarium-Friendly Plants That Prosper in Dim Light Conditions
Low Light Terrarium Plants: A Comprehensive Guide
The world of terrarium plants is vast and diverse, offering a range of options for every lighting condition. In this article, we focus on plants that thrive in low light environments, excluding ferns and Begonias.
The Lightning Jewel Orchid (Macodes petola) stands out for its beautiful foliage and can thrive in low light conditions. This small orchid is known for its unique substrate requirements, including lots of aeration and drainage.
Philodendron, a popular plant, is known for its low light adaptability, green foliage, and general bulletproof nature. The darker the leaves of Philodendron, the less light they require.
Peperomia caperata is a small tropical plant with dark, ridged leaves, well-suited for shaded terrariums.
The Arrowhead Vine (Syngonium) is a popular family of houseplants that comes in a striking array of greens, pinks, and reds. The dwarf 'Pixie' variety is a compact and prolific variety that is well-suited for shaded closed terrariums with high moisture and humidity.
Ficus pumila, a vine native to East Asia, is ideal for smaller terrariums where it will readily weave its way across the foundation and up the sides. While it prefers bright, indirect light, it will still grow well in a shaded environment.
Pilea depressa, a small plant with lots of tiny, round leaves along a creeping vine, is ideal for terrariums. It requires consistent moisture and warmth, but has very low light requirements and can tolerate shade.
Other strong candidates for low light terrariums, based on various sources, include the Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior), known for being low maintenance and able to thrive in low light. The Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) tolerates a wide range of light, including shade, and does well in humid terrarium environments. English Ivy prefers partial to full shade and high humidity, suitable for closed terrariums. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) thrives in low light and is low maintenance. Snake Plant (Sansevieria spp.) is adapted to low light and low humidity, good for indoor terrariums where light is limited.
Pilea Glauca (Silver Sparkle) and Purple Heart may tolerate indirect or partial shade but prefer some light for best growth. Most tropical terrarium plants prefer bright indirect light, but some, like those mentioned above, manage well in shade or low light conditions.
Fittonia albivenis, a rainforest floor dwelling plant from Peru, is well-suited for low light conditions, particularly in bathrooms with plenty of moisture and humidity.
Selaginella martensii 'Frosty' prefers hot and humid conditions and will easily form a dense mat, growing up to a few inches tall. This hardy type of terrarium plant is known for its light variegation and frost-tipped leaves.
The Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) is particularly suited for life in the shade and is one of the most forgiving ferns when it comes to lighting. It has an adaptive advantage in low light conditions as it can increase or decrease its crinklyness to provide the right amount of surface area on the leaves.
The Earth Stars (Cryptanthus sp.) are one of the few terrestrial Bromeliads that grow far beneath the rainforest canopy and can thrive in low light conditions.
For more advice on low light terrarium plants, check out the guide to closed terrarium plants. To purchase terrarium plants, visit the online terrarium store. Remember, finding the ideal spot for a terrarium may require some trial and error.
In conclusion, with a variety of plants to choose from, creating a low light terrarium has never been easier. Happy gardening!
- The Lightning Jewel Orchid, Philodendron, Peperomia caperata, Arrowhead Vine, and Pilea depressa are all suitable for low light terrariums, each with their unique characteristics.
- Ficus pumila, while preferring bright, indirect light, can still grow well in shaded environments, making it an ideal plant for smaller terrariums.
- The Cast Iron Plant, Spider Plant, English Ivy, ZZ Plant, Snake Plant, Pilea Glauca, Purple Heart, Fittonia albivenis, Selaginella martensii 'Frosty', Bird's Nest Fern, and Earth Stars are also strong candidates for low light terrariums.
- Some tropical terrarium plants like Fittonia albivenis and Selaginella martensii 'Frosty' appreciate hot and humid conditions and can grow well even in shade or low light conditions.
- The Bird's Nest Fern, known for its adaptability in low light conditions, can increase or decrease its crinklyness to provide the right amount of surface area on the leaves.
