Open terrarium plants

Open terrariums are airy, unsealed bowls and dishes where moisture escapes and air moves freely. These plants want exactly that — succulents, cacti, air plants and other easygoing choices that would rot in a sealed, humid jar.

26 plants below. Tap any photo for the full plant page and its care notes.

How to choose plants for an open terrarium

An open terrarium is an unsealed bowl or dish where air moves freely and moisture escapes. The plants that thrive in it are built for dry air and bright light — the desert and scrubland species that would rot in a humid sealed jar. Look for three things: tolerance of drier air, a love of bright light (many take a little direct sun), and roots that want a gritty, free-draining mix rather than constant moisture.

The one rule that decides everything: never seal these plants in. Every plant above wants airflow — the humidity-lovers that belong in a closed jar are listed at the bottom so you know what to leave out.

The best open-terrarium plants by role

Rosette succulents (sculptural centrepieces): echeveria, zebra haworthia, hens and chicks and gasteria form tidy, structural rosettes that love bright light.

Upright & tree-like: jade plant and elephant bush bring height and a miniature-tree look.

Trailing succulents (spill over the rim): string of pearls, burro's tail and the semi-succulent string of turtles.

Cacti & air plants: a pincushion cactus for a sunny spot, or a soil-free air plant perched on wood or stone.

Easy foliage (flexible, forgiving): pothos, watermelon peperomia, polka dot plant, arrowhead vine and the striking earth star bromeliad.

Flowers & a carnivore: African violet for reliable blooms, or a Venus flytrap, which wants open airflow (rain or distilled water only, and a cool winter rest).

Plants to avoid in an open terrarium

Humidity-lovers slowly crisp and brown in dry, open air. Keep these for a closed terrarium instead: nerve plant, baby's tears, maidenhair fern, spikemoss, all moss, and closed-terrarium specialists like marcgravia. If a plant's care notes say it needs constant humidity, it doesn't belong in an open bowl.

FAQ

What plants are best for an open terrarium?+

Dry-air, bright-light plants: succulents like echeveria, haworthia, jade and hens and chicks, plus cacti, air plants and hardy foliage such as pothos. They want airflow and a gritty, free-draining mix — the opposite of a sealed humid jar.

Can you put ferns or moss in an open terrarium?+

Not really. Ferns, moss and fittonia need constant humidity, and in open, airy conditions they dry out and crisp within days. Put them in a closed terrarium instead, and fill an open one with succulents, cacti and air plants.

How often should you water an open terrarium?+

There's no water cycle, so you water it yourself — but sparingly. Let the substrate dry out fully, then give a little water at the base. For succulents that often means every couple of weeks; overwatering is the fastest way to kill an open setup.

Do open terrariums need drainage?+

Yes. Open-terrarium plants rot in soggy soil, so use a gritty, free-draining mix (add sand or perlite) over a drainage layer of pebbles. Unlike a closed jar, the goal is for water to pass through, not linger.

What is the easiest plant for an open terrarium?+

A hardy succulent like zebra haworthia or hens and chicks — both shrug off missed waterings, want nothing more than bright light, and pup into clusters over time. Jade plant and pothos are similarly forgiving.

Do open terrariums get mould?+

Far less than closed ones. The airflow keeps things dry, which discourages mould. The trade-off is that pests find the plants more easily and there is no self-watering cycle, so you have to water yourself.

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