A terrarium is a clear water- tight container that can hold soil, small plants, and decorative additions. It allows both heat and light to enter. Terraria (plural) can be open to the environment or sealed.

Use an open terrarium for succulentLearn the definition of a succulent plant and why they are called a "fat plant." or semi- Succulent PlantLearn the definition of a succulent plant and why they are called a "fat plant."s (“dry plants”) that prefer dry air rather than high humidity. Some of the best plants for an open terrarium are air plants, echeveria, jade, kalanchoe, sedum, hawarthia, or small cacti.  Plants that require bright direct light also do better in an open terrarium. Avoid using plants with a large root system.

Closed terrariums are mini ecosystems that create a humid environment by retaining much of their moisture. In fact you may have to open a sealed terrarium and wipe down the sides if too much humidity builds up inside. Excellent plants for a closed terrarium are: pilea, nerve plants, baby’s tears, spider wort, aluminum plants, mini begonias, mini orchids, button ferns, and creeping fig. Avoid using tall climbing plants and plants with a large root system.

When creating a terrarium, be sure to use plants that have the same lighting, watering, humidity, and feeding requirements. It’s a recipe for failure to put a Succulent PlantLearn the definition of a succulent plant and why they are called a "fat plant." that needs very bright lightVery few houseplants should be placed in direct sun. High light refers only to bright indirect light since direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants. An area that is too hot and dry encourages Spider Mites and causes blooms to quickly fade. A northern exposure really doesn't provide enough light for high light plants. These plants need to be placed directly in front of an east-facing window, within 1-3 feet of a west-facing window, and within 5 ft. of a south facing window. A high light area has over 300 ft. candles of light., dry soil, and low humidity in with a fern that thrives on moist soil, high humidity, and medium light. Find care requirements for specific plants in the Popular Houseplants section of the website.

Photo: Regenwaldterrarium by Rolf Kolasch

The Easter Lily plant or Lilium longiflorum is a plant native to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and Taiwan and before the start of the Second World War all of our bulbs came from there. After 1941 commercial production of Easter Lily bulbs shifted to the United States. Ten farms situated along the California/Oregon coast today produce almost all the Easter Lily bulbs. The bulbs are picked in the fall and then shipped to greenhouses around the country. The commercial greenhouses plant them in pots and force them to bloom in time for Easter. The Easter Lily Plant is the fourth most popular potted flowering plant, behind the poinsettia, mum, and azalea. This is amazing when you realize that poinsettias are sold for around six weeks, mums & azaleas all year, and Easter Lily plants for only two weeks.

Easter Lily plants bear a number of trumpet shaped, white, fragrant, outward facing flowers that are said to represent “purity, virtue, innocence, hope, and life. According to legend, Lilies grew where Jesus’ sweat fell to the ground during his final hours on the Cross. Churches are filled with Easter Lily Plants during Easter to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus.

When buying an Easter Lily select a medium sized compact plant that has numerous dark green leaves down to the soil line and flowers in different stages of opening. There should be just one or two partially open blooms, and three or four plump unopened buds. That way you’ll have flowers opening and lasting for several days.

These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. Read more about common houseplants that are poisonous in Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants

Who couldn’t love an African Violet plant? Small, compact African Violets with their soft, furry, dark green leaves, and beautiful delicate flowers in blue/violet, pink, fuchsia, and white can often bloom all year.  Newer cultivars  have double and bi-colored flowers. African Violets can be “miniatures” about 6” in diameter or standard sized 8”-12” in diameter. There are even trailing and hanging varieties. Saintpaulia was given the common name African Violet because the plant originated in Tanzania and eastern Africa and its flowers resemble violets.

African Violet

Cymbidium Orchid plants, or Boat Orchids, are among the most attractive, popular, and long lasting Orchid plants available throughout the world.  The name Cymbidium comes from the Greek word Kumbos that means cavity and refers to the shape of the base of the lip of the flower. Cymbidium Orchids  have been cultivated for thousands of years in Eastern Asia, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Borneo, northern Australia, and the Himalayas but only became popular in Europe during the Victorian Age. Today, because of the many hybrid Cymbidium Orchid plants, they grow throughout the world. These plants have long, thin, grass – like leaves. Sturdy stems or spikes emerge from the leaves of the plant and each spike produces 15-30 beautiful waxy- looking orchid flowers. There are over 52 varieties of Cymbidium Orchid plants, each with a different color and pattern to their flowers. Cymbidium blooms, which often last for months, come in yellow, red, pink, orange, light green, yellowish green, white, cream, and even brown. The only flower colors missing are blue and black. These plants have the added advantage of being able to bloom during the winter when other orchids cannot. Although Cymbidium Orchid plants require a little extra care, their beautiful flowers make it all worthwhile.

The Calla Lily is a beautiful plant whether grown outdoors or indoors in a decorative pot by a sunny window. This elegant plant, native to the marshes of South Africa, is not really a lily at all but a member of the Araceae family. The extraordinary funnel or trumpet shaped waxy flowers of a Calla Lily, grow on tall thick stems and have a yellow spadix emerging from their center. The long tapered green leaves of the plant may be streaked with faint white or yellow spots. Today, thanks to the many new hybrids developed by breeders throughout the world, Calla Lilies can be found not only in white, but also pink, orange, fuchsia, red, yellow, and cream. The long lasting flowers are popular in wedding bouquets where they are a symbol of purity and beauty.

These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. Read more about common houseplants that are poisonous in Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants

Stromanthe sanguinea  (sometimes referred to as Tricolor or Triostar Stromanthe), is a plant native to the rain forests of Brazil. This variety of the Stromanthe Plant has beautiful leaves in different shades of white, red, pink, and green. Stromanthe Plants make a great plant to give as a  Christmas present if you’re tired of Poinsettias. A Stromanthe Plant can be grown indoor or outdoors, but will not survive a hard freeze. Since a Stromanthe Plant is a relative of the Prayer Plant and a member of the Maranta family, its leaves fold up at night as though praying. Stromanthe Plants produce reddish pink flowers in the spring, but they can’t compete with this plants dazzling leaves. A Stromanthe Plant is a spectacular looking plant, but challenging to grow, definitely not for beginners.

Miniature Roses, beautiful little hybrid plants that trace their parents back to China, usually appear in stores around Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. These indoor houseplant Roses  look lovely when first purchased but are difficult to keep indoors on a permanent basis. Enjoy your Miniature Rose Bush plant your home  and then put it outside as soon as the weather permits. Miniature Roses grow much better outdoors in the fresh air and bright lightVery few houseplants should be placed in direct sun. High light refers only to bright indirect light since direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants. An area that is too hot and dry encourages Spider Mites and causes blooms to quickly fade. A northern exposure really doesn't provide enough light for high light plants. These plants need to be placed directly in front of an east-facing window, within 1-3 feet of a west-facing window, and within 5 ft. of a south facing window. A high light area has over 300 ft. candles of light.. A Miniature Rose Bush plant produces small flowers about 1”-2” (2.5-5cm) in size in red, yellow, pink, white, peach, and orange.  Since this plant is a hybrid of the regular rose, it needs the same type of care and attention.

A Crown of Thorns Plant (Euphorbia milii), a bushy slow growing Succulent PlantLearn the definition of a succulent plant and why they are called a "fat plant." native to Madagascar, is an easy- care flowering houseplant that thrives on neglect, blooms throughout the year, grows indoors or outdoors, and is very easy to propagate. According to legend, a Crown of Thorns Plant got its nickname after it was associated with the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus. Under ideal conditions, a Crown of Thorns Plant can reach a height of 3ft and a width of 2ft. Crown of Thorns plants have sharp 1/2” thorns that grow on fleshy dark brown stems, and clusters of bright green tear shaped leaves that often last only a few months. Like a Poinsettia plant, also a kind of Euphorbia, the most beautiful part of a Crown of Thorns plant is the bright colorful bracts that surround very small flowers. The bracts of a Crown of Thorns plant may be red, yellow, or pink and appear at the ends of 2” stalks; the stalks are covered in a sticky substance that gets on your hands when you touch the plant.

These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. Read more about common houseplants that are poisonous in Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants

Calathea plants, native to tropical South and Central America, Africa, and the West Indies, are grown primarily for their beautiful, brightly colored, upright, oval leaves. There are over 300 different types of Calathea plants, many being man-made hybrids created by tissue cultures. The various varieties have leaves with a purple undersides and various vibrant colorful patterns on the top side. Indoors, a Calathea is a table plant or short bush that rarely gets bigger than  24” tall and 24”-26” wide. A Calathea, with its exotic foliage, is difficult to care for, but like many other fussy plants, well worth the effort.

Amaryllis plants are native to the tropical regions of South America. These spectacular easy care bulb plants can be planted from October through the end of April and will bloom from late December to June. With proper after-bloom care, an Amaryllis plant flowers year after year. Amaryllis Bulbs can be purchased pre-planted or you can do the planting yourself. The larger and fatter the plant bulbs, the more flowers an Amaryllis produces. The brightly colored flowers  come in red, orange, white, pink, and salmon. Some new varieties even have striped flowers.

Amaryllis plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. Learn more about common houseplants that are poisonous in Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants

Amaryllis Plant