VIVARIUM PLANTS
Vivarium plants are flora that adapts to life in an enclosed container. Once established, these plants will thrive in this controlled environment. These types of plants are often nontoxic and suitable for small exotic pets to share space with. Browse our growing list to find vivarium plants perfect for your specific enclosures setup:
Plants For Various Vivariums
Different types of vivariums require different types of plants to create the optimal living conditions that allow for both the animal and plant species to thrive. In aquariums and ripariums, aquatic plants can provide oxygen and filter water as well as add variety and complexity to the aquatic environment.
In terrariums, plants provide the dense canopy and shade needed to simulate a safe environment for inhabitants. Finally, in paludariums, semi-aquatic plants can be used to do a combination of everything the other vivarium plants do.
Vivarium Plant Types
Vivarium plants come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and care requirements, all of which vary depending on the type of vivarium and intended environment. Each of these plant types offers unique benefits and should be chosen based on the desired look and purpose of your vivarium. The correct selection of plants can help create a thriving and healthy living environment, while also providing habitat and shelter for the animals that share the vivarium.
Vivarium Plant Care Guides
Plant care can be a difficult but rewarding task when done properly. With the help of these vivarium plant care guides, any hobbyist can turn their vivarium into a lush and vibrant world.
Covering everything from beginner basics to more complex setups, our index brings together an array of individual plant care guides for both aquatic and nonaquatic plants. Making it easy for you to find all the information they need to be successful vivarium plant collectors.
This plant care index also includes helpful advice and tips on identification, selection, planting, lighting, fertilizers, and maintenance so that you can confidently create an amazing and thriving vivarium environment. With our vivarium plant care index, you can find detailed and reliable information and support in all areas of plant upkeep.
- All
- Air Plants
- Aquatic
- Bromeliads
- Cacti
- Carnivorous Plants
- Drainage
- Easy Care
- Fern
- Floating Plants
- Gardening Plants
- Grass
- Marginal Plants
- Moderate Care
- Moss
- Nonaquatic
- Orchids
- Pond Plants
- Semiaquatic
- Stem Plants
- Succulents
- Tillandsia
- Tropical Plants
- Vines
- carpeting plants
Abdita Air Plant (Tillandsia abdita)
African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
African Water Fern (Bolbitis heudelotii)
Alocasia Black Velvet (Alocasia reginula)
Aluminum Plant (Pilea cadierei)
American Waterweed (Elodea canadensis)
Anacharis (Egeria densa)
Andreana Air Plant (Tillandsia andreana)
Anubias (Anubias spp.)
Aponogeton Bulbs (Aponogeton ulvaceus)
Aquatic Cardinal Plant (Lobelia Cardinalis)
Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum)
Asparagus Fern (Asparagus setaceus)
Australian Pitcher Plants (Cephalotus spp.)
Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora)
Baby Tears Plant (Pilea depressa)
Baby Tears Plant (Soleirolia soleirolii)
Ball Cactus (Parodia magnifica)
Banana Lily (Nymphoides aquatica)
Bergeri Air Plant (Tillandsia aeranthos bergeri)
Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Bladderwort (Utricularia spp.)
Blue Moneywort (Lindernia grandiflora)
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Brachycaulos Air Plant (Tillandsia brachycaulos Schltdl)
Brazilian Micro Sword (Lilaeopsis Brasiliensis)
Brazilian Pennywort (Hydrocotyle leucocephala)
Broad-Leaf Water Sprite (Ceratopteris cornuta)
Broadleaf Sagittaria (Sagittaria latifolia)
Buce Plant (Bucephalandra spp.)
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
Bulbous Air Plant (Tillandsia bulbosa)
Butterworts (Pinguicula spp.)
Button Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia)
Cattleya Orchids (Cattleya spp.)
Cebu Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum)
Chalk Dudleya (Dudleya pulverulenta)
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema spp.)
Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
Christmas Moss (Vesicularia montagnei)
Club Moss (Selaginella kraussiana)
Common Duckweed (Lemna minor)
Corkscrew Rush (Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’)
Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Staurogyne (Staurogyne repens)
Crocodile Fern (Microsorum musifolium ‘crocodyllus’)
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)
Crypts (Cryptocoryne spp.)
Crystalwort (Riccia fluitans)
Dancing Lady Orchid (Oncidium spp.)
Delta Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum raddianum)
Dendrobium Orchids (Dendrobium spp.)
Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)
Dragon’s Tongue (Hemigraphis repanda)
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia spp.)
Dwarf Baby Tears (Hemianthus callitrichoides)
Dwarf Hairgrass (Eleocharis Parvula)
Dwarf Hygrophila (Hygrophila polysperma)
Dwarf Rotala (Rotala rotundifolia)
Dwarf Sagittaria (Sagittaria Subulata)
Dwarf Water Lily (Nymphaea stellata)
Earth Star Plant (Cryptanthus bivittatus)
Ecuador Philodendron (Philodendron verrucosum)
Eelgrass (Vallisneria spp.)
Elephant Ear Plant (Colocasia esculenta)
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
False Pimpernel (Lindernia dubia)
Feather Moss (Ptilium crista-castrensis)
Fern Moss (Thuidium delicatulum)
Flame Moss (Taxiphyllum sp.)
Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
Flaming Sword Bromeliad (Vriesea spp.)
Floating Fern (Salvinia natans)
Friendship Plant (Pilea involucrata)
Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum)
Giant Hairgrass (Eleocharis montevidensis)
Giant Hygrophila (Hygrophila corymbosa)
Glosso Plant (Glossostigma Elatinoides)
Guppy Grass (Najas guadalupensis)
Heart Fern (Hemionitis arifolia)
Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandesens)
Hedyotis Salzmannii (Oldenlandia salzmannii)
Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)
Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)
Hydrocotyle Japan (Hydrocotyle tripartita)
Indian Toothcup (Rotala indica)
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus)
Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri)
Katie Ruellia (Ruellia brittoniana ‘Katie’)
King of Air Plants (Tillandsia xerographica)
Laceleaf (Anthurium spp.)
Laelia Orchids (Laelia spp.)
Lemon Bacopa (Bacopa caroliniana)
Lemon Button Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘duffii’)
Lepanthes Orchid (Lepanthes spp.)
Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans)
Little Star Plant (Pogostemon helferi)
Liverwort (Monosolenium tenerum)
Lizard’s Tail (Saururus cernuus)
Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena braunii)
Ludwigia Glandulosa (Ludwigia Peruensis)
Manjula Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Manjula’)
Masdevallia Orchids (Masdevallia spp.)
Medusae Air Plant (Tillandsia caput-medusae)
Moneywort (Bacopa monnieri)
Monkey Cups (Nepenthes spp.)
Monkey Face Orchid (Dracula spp.)
Monstera Peru (Monstera karstenianum)
Mood Moss (Dicranum scoparium)
Moon Valley Pilea (Pilea Mollis)
Mosquito Fern (Azolla filiculoides)
Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis spp.)
N’Joy pothos (Epipremnum aureum N’Joy)
Nano Moss (Amblystegium serpens)
Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis)
Painted Nettle (Coleus scutellarioides)
Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)
Paper Reed (Cyperus papyrus)
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Parrot’s Feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum)
Party Time Plant (Alternanthera ficoidea)
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)
Peat Moss (Sphagnum moss)
Philodendron Brasil (Philodendron hederaceum)
Phoenix Moss (Fissidens fontanus)
Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria spp.)
Pink Syngonium (Syngonium ‘Neon Robusta’)
Pinstripe Calathea (Calathea ornata)
Platystele Orchids (Platystele spp.)
Plush Plant (Echeveria harmsii)
Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
Pondweed (Potamogeton spp.)
Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Purple Waffle (Hemigraphis alternata)
Queen’s Tears (Billbergia spp.)
Rabbit Foot Fern (Davallia tyermanii)
Radiator Plants (Peperomia spp.)
Red Ludwigia (Ludwigia Repens)
Roof Air plant (Tillandsia tectorum Ecuador)
Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus ‘argyraeu’)
Scarlet Temple (Alternanthera reineckii)
Sheet Moss (Hypnum Cupresiforme)
Silver Lace Fern (Pteris ensiformis)
Silver Monstera (Monstera siltepecana)
Silver Ribbon Fern (Pteris cretica)
Silver Sword Philodendron (Philodendron hastatum)
Silver Vase Plant (Aechmea spp.)
Sky Plant (Tillandsia Ionantha Planch)
Staghorn Fern (Platycerium spp.)
Star Moss (Tortula ruralis)
Stonecrop (Sedum spp.)
Stricta Air Plant (Tillandsia stricta Sol)
String Of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus)
Sun Pitcher Plants (Heliamphora spp.)
Sundews (Drosera spp.)
Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus)
Sword Plants (Echinodorus spp.)
Taiwan Moss (Taxiphyllum alternans)
Tank Bromeliad (Neoregelia spp.)
Tolumnia Orchids (Tolumnia spp.)
Trailing Daisy (Sphagneticola trilobata)
Trailing Jade (Peperomia rotundifolia)
Tree Moss (Climacium dendroides)
Velvet Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron micans)
Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)
Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina)
Water Celery (Oenanthe javanica)
Water Clover (Marsilea crenata)
Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
Water Mint (Mentha aquatica)
Water Spangles (Salvinia minima)
Water Sprite Plant (Ceratopteris thalictroides)
Waterwheel Plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa)
Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa)
Weeping Moss (Vesicularia ferriei)
White Mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa)
Willow Hygro (Hygrophila angustifolia)
Willow Moss (Fontinalis antipyretica)
Woolly Senecio (Senecio haworthii)
Yellow Jewelweed (Impatiens repens)
Zebra Cactus (Haworthia fasciata)
Vivarium Plant Types – Explained
Air plants, also known as Tillandsia, are very intriguing vivarium plants to work with and are fun for all levels of enthusiasts. These types of plants come in a range of sizes and can almost be mounted anywhere and in any direction. Use these easy-going plants to achieve inventive or simplistic scenery.
Bromeliads are very hardy tropical air plants. This foliage is much better suited for extremely humid environments and grows larger than most tillandsias. You can find bromeliads in just as many sizes as well as colors. Use these easy-going plants to add character and liveliness to vivariums with more aquatic features than a traditional terrarium.
Aquatic plants are a unique choice for aquariums, as they can provide numerous benefits, such as supplying oxygen to aquarium inhabitants, helping stabilize water chemistry, and preventing soil erosion. These kinds of vivarium plants are also a great way to add aesthetic appeal to any aquarium set–up. Be sure to select the right species for your aquarium setup, as some require more care and attention than others.
Cacti and succulents offer a rare opportunity to take desert-themed setups in a realistic direction. These types of vivarium plants help deliver the visual appearance of an arid ecosystem. Use these types of plants if you are looking for colorful, vibrant foliage that requires very low maintenance.
If you’re looking to spruce up your terrarium with some of the most impressive plants, then our carnivorous plant selection is for you. Feeding these vivarium plants can be a fun and rewarding experience, and with a little care, your terrarium can become a full-fledged ecosystem.
Floating plants provide an opportunity to add a unique layer of beauty and movement to your aquatic enclosures. These vivarium plants float on the surface of the water and are known for their ability to effectively filter the tank water and improve water clarity. These plants are easy to care for and do not require full sunlight or a complex nutrient system to survive.
Marginal plants are ideal for creating a peaceful bridge between land and water. These vivarium plants provide a lot of opportunities for landscape customization because they typically have tall stems that reach up to the surface of the water. Marginal plants often provide a natural hiding spot for fish and other aquatic pet species.
Mosses are essential to every kind of enclosure. These types of vivarium plants help bridge the gap between foreground vegetation and hardscape pieces. When deciding on carpeting plants like moss, choose flora that not only shares similar requirements to the rest of the plants… But also blend the general theme of the tank together nicely.
Ferns can be another key asset to a tank. These types of vivarium plants make up the bulk of the setup and play a vital role in the creation of density. There is a wide range of ferns that can thrive in just about any type of environment. Consider adding this kind of flora to your enclosure to eliminate empty space and provide additional shelter for shy inhabitants.
Orchids are becoming an interesting focal plant to add to vivariums. These types of plants come in a beautiful array of vibrant colors and their blooms can be quite the reward. Consider adding this kind of vivarium foliage to your enclosure if you really want to set your tank apart from the rest.
Small Pond Plants are the perfect way to recreate miniature ponds. They can act as hiding spots for larger and more timid aquarium inhabitants, and many pond plants also provide filtration benefits such as oxygenating the water and absorbing excessive nitrate. They come in stunning varieties, each of which can bring an added layer of beauty to any indoor or outdoor tank.
Tropical plants are specifically adapted for a humid, warm terrarium environment. These types of plants offer a unique opportunity to recreate a jungle or rainforest type of ecosystem. Where many publishers might consider any random list of vivarium plants tropical… We went above and beyond to curate a list of true equatorial plants.
Vines are vivarium plants that climb or trail around the enclosure. These types of plants offer the possibility to vertically scape the vivarium. Adding a vine plant of any type will visually enhance the environment in a very natural way. They will easily latch onto backgrounds and work their way upward or drape off cliffs offering depth to shallow tanks.