Plants play a crucial role in maintaining the health of a vivarium and its inhabitants. Live terrarium plants absorb CO2, release oxygen, and take up nutrients as they grow. They provide shelter, cover, calling, and egg-laying sites for poison dart frogs, significantly enhancing the visual appeal of a naturalistic vivarium. Various classes of tropical plants are available to help you choose the perfect ones for your vivarium. Detailed care information for each plant can be found on their individual pages.
To simplify planting, live terrarium plants are classified into three main categories: epiphytes, background plants, and foreground plants. Click on the respective links for basic care instructions and planting techniques for each group.
Peperomia
Peperomias comprise over 1,500 known species, mostly from Central and South America. Many Peperomias thrive in naturalistic tropical vivaria. Although typically epiphytes in cloud forests, they also adapt well to terrestrial planting in vivariums. Peperomias generally do not tolerate waterlogged substrates. They are primarily suitable for vivariums replicating cloud forest environments.
Pilea
Pilea includes over 600 species of tropical and subtropical plants found in warm, wet regions globally. Known for their colorful foliage with striking patterns and textures, Pilea plants require high humidity to thrive, making them perfect for tropical vivariums.
Vines
Vines are a fantastic addition to any terrarium, quickly covering backgrounds and providing hiding places for frogs, making them more visible. They grow rapidly, helping to absorb excess nutrients in the vivarium. No vivarium is complete without a few vines!
Tropicals
The Tropicals category encompasses various tropical plants that don't fit neatly into other categories but perform exceptionally well in vivariums. This group includes plants like Syngonium, Spathiphyllum, and Anthurium, known for their large, broad leaves that serve as excellent calling and egg-laying sites for dart frogs.
Ferns and Mosses
Ferns and mosses, both non-vascular plants, may be primitive compared to other tropical plants but are equally suitable for home vivariums. They spread quickly, enhancing the jungle aesthetic with their green foliage and unique growth patterns.
Bromeliads
Bromeliads are among the most unique tropical plants used in naturalistic vivaria, known for their water-holding capacity, providing rearing sites for poison dart frog tadpoles. Mostly epiphytes, they grow best mounted on wood or backgrounds. Cryptanthus, a terrestrial bromeliad also known as earth stars, are available in various cultivars displaying different colors and growth habits.
Orchids
Orchids, primarily grown for their flowers, add vibrant colors to any naturalistic vivarium. Being largely epiphytic, they thrive when mounted on wood or backgrounds, requiring well-draining substrates and regular air circulation, avoiding standing water on their leaves.
By selecting from these categories, you can create a beautiful and healthy environment for your vivarium's inhabitants.
Oh I am totally going to get some orchids