small tropical terrarium plant set

Description

The Small Terrarium Set – 6 Tropical Plants has been designed to easily plant smaller tropical enclosures with a selection of compact, colourful and complementary species.

The set combines Ludisia discolor, Saxifraga 'Tricolor', Fittonia, Neoregelia ampullacea, Ficus pumila 'White Sunny' and Pteris quadriaurita 'Tricolor'. Together they provide a varied mix of colours, textures and growth habits while allowing several levels of the terrarium to be planted.

Set composition

• 1 × Ludisia discolor – Jewel Orchid
• 1 × Saxifraga 'Tricolor'
• 1 × Fittonia
• 1 × Neoregelia ampullacea
• 1 × Ficus pumila 'White Sunny'
• 1 × Pteris quadriaurita 'Tricolor'

Designed for small terrariums

This selection focuses on plants suitable for compact tropical displays while still providing plenty of visual variety.

Ficus can gradually colonise wood or planted backgrounds, Fittonia and Saxifraga fill the foreground, while Ludisia, the fern and Neoregelia provide more structured focal points.

Ludisia discolor – Jewel Orchid

Ludisia discolor is a terrestrial jewel orchid mainly valued for its dark, velvety foliage crossed by fine contrasting veins.

Its relatively compact habit and preference for warm, humid conditions make it particularly suitable for tropical terrariums. It grows directly in a light, humus-rich and well-draining substrate.

Saxifraga 'Tricolor'

Saxifraga 'Tricolor' develops small rosettes of rounded leaves combining green, cream and pink tones. Its stolons gradually produce additional small rosettes.

Its bright foliage works particularly well in the foreground or on a slightly raised section of the display.

Fittonia

Fittonia is one of the classic tropical terrarium plants. Its strongly veined foliage and compact habit quickly add colour and density to the composition.

It thrives in high atmospheric humidity and lightly moist substrate, making it particularly well suited to small tropical enclosures.

Neoregelia ampullacea

Neoregelia ampullacea is a compact botanical bromeliad particularly suited to terrarium displays. Its small rosette provides the characteristic appearance of a bromeliad without occupying as much space as many larger species.

It can be grown in a highly aerated substrate or mounted on a small branch, natural root or cork support to make better use of vertical space.

Ficus pumila 'White Sunny'

Ficus pumila 'White Sunny' is a small creeping and climbing Ficus with green leaves broadly edged in cream to white.

Its stems gradually attach to natural wood, cork and planted backgrounds. Regular pruning makes it easy to control in smaller enclosures.

Pteris quadriaurita 'Tricolor'

Pteris quadriaurita 'Tricolor' is an ornamental fern valued for the changing colours of its young fronds, which can display shades of green, cream and pink to copper depending on their stage of development.

Its lighter, more upright habit creates an attractive contrast with the rounder and creeping foliage of the other plants in the set.

Recommended layout

For a balanced display, place Fittonia and Saxifraga in the foreground and position Ludisia and the fern slightly further back.

The Neoregelia can be mounted on a small root or piece of cork to create an elevated focal point, while the Ficus can be planted at the base of the support and allowed to gradually climb over it.

Terrarium compatibility

• Small tropical terrarium: Excellent
• Humid tropical terrarium: Excellent
• Bioactive terrarium: Excellent
• Paludarium: Yes, in emerged areas
• Natural wood mounting: Yes, especially Ficus and Neoregelia
• Cork mounting: Yes
• Submerged cultivation: No

Recommended substrate

Use a light, humus-rich and free-draining tropical substrate capable of retaining regular moisture without remaining waterlogged.

A mix containing coco humus, coco chips, fine bark and perlite works particularly well. Neoregelia benefits from an even more aerated setup when mounted on a support.

Watering

Keep the substrate lightly moist while avoiding stagnant water around the roots.

The Neoregelia can hold a small amount of soft water in its central rosette, but this water should be refreshed regularly rather than allowed to remain stagnant.

Humidity

Humidity of approximately 65% to 85% is particularly suitable for this selection.

Good airflow remains important, especially around the Neoregelia, Ludisia and fern.

Temperature

Ideally maintain temperatures between 18°C and 26°C.

Avoid prolonged low temperatures and sudden fluctuations.

Light

Medium to bright filtered light is ideal.

Good light levels help maintain the contrast of Ficus 'White Sunny', Saxifraga and Pteris while preventing damage to more delicate foliage.

Growth

Growth rates vary between the plants. Ficus and Fittonia can develop relatively quickly, while Ludisia, the fern and Neoregelia gradually structure the display.

In a small terrarium, regular pruning of Ficus and Fittonia helps maintain a balanced composition.

Maintenance

Remove old or damaged foliage and trim creeping plants whenever they begin to occupy too much space.

Monitor substrate moisture carefully, as small enclosed terrariums can retain water for much longer than open pot cultivation.

Fertilisation

Use a highly diluted tropical plant fertiliser very sparingly. In a small enclosed or semi-enclosed environment, light fertilisation is preferable to allowing salts to accumulate in the substrate.

Why choose this Small Terrarium Set?

This selection combines six plants with very different appearances: dark velvety Ludisia foliage, bright variegation from Saxifraga and Ficus, strongly veined Fittonia leaves, a compact Neoregelia rosette and colourful Pteris fronds.

The result is a varied yet harmonious combination designed to quickly create a small tropical landscape rich in colour and texture.

JungleBox advice

In a small terrarium, avoid placing every plant at the same level. Use a small root or piece of cork to raise the Neoregelia and allow the Ficus to gradually colonise the support.

Keep the lower plants in the foreground and regularly trim faster-growing species so that each plant remains visible within the composition.

Additional information

• Product: Small Terrarium Set
• Number of plants: 6 plants
• Ludisia discolor: Yes
• Saxifraga 'Tricolor': Yes
• Fittonia: Yes
• Neoregelia ampullacea: Yes
• Ficus pumila 'White Sunny': Yes
• Pteris quadriaurita 'Tricolor': Yes
• Use: Small tropical terrarium
• Bioactive terrarium: Yes
• Paludarium: Yes, emerged areas
• Recommended humidity: 65 to 85%
• Recommended temperature: 18 to 26°C
• Exposure: Medium to bright filtered light
• Submerged cultivation: No