Expert shares 5 best terrarium plants for beginners - and how to care for them

Many of us yearn for our own slice of nature, and if you don't have a garden, a terrarium can provide a miniature indoor ecosystem.

Viral TikTok sensation and Chelsea Gold medal winner Ben Newell (known online as @worcesterterrariums), who has amassed a following of 3.4 million since leaving his job as a postman to share terrarium advice, admits it's hard to know where to begin with so many fantastic plants available.

Newell, whose terrarium videos on TikTok often go viral, has penned Hello Tiny World, an elegantly crafted guide on how to cultivate plants in terrariums, offering diverse ideas on everything from containers, soil conditions and watering tips, to suitable plant choices.

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"I think there's something really magical about tiny-leaved plants and mosses growing in beautiful glass jars. It really captures people's attention," he shares enthusiastically.

"Traditionally terrariums would have been in large tanks but I really like the small ones that you can hold in your hands."

Here, he recommends five simple terrarium plants for beginners.

1. Fittonia albivenis.

Commonly known as the nerve plant, it originates from South America but is widely available in UK garden centres.

"It's got this striking veining on the leaf and comes in many different colours. My preference is the green ones because they tend to fit with a more naturalistic terrarium."

Top tip: Plant them via root cuttings because it allows the plant to stay smaller while developing a root system. Snip above a leaf node and push the cutting into the soil.

You can use tiny parts of the plant which often fit with the scale of a small terrarium.

2. Nephrolepis exaltata 'Marisa'.

Also known as the Boston fern, this small bushy fern is easy to care for, preferring warmth and humidity.

"You can divide it which is really helpful because you can get numerous plants from one. Prune it once it gets established by simply snipping off the larger leaves out at the base."

Top tip: To divide it, find the middle point of the plant and split the rootball into two.

3. Biophytum sensitivum.

Commonly found in south east Asia and also known as the little tree plant, this houseplant looks like a miniature palm tree. The leaves are responsive to light and atmosphere changes, falling in on themselves at night and opening up again during the day.

It propagates easily and has beautiful flowers in shades of purple, pink and white, producing lots of seeds which can be separated and just be planted on.

Top tip: Plant this one in bright light but not too much direct sun. Once established, it doesn't like to be moved.

And don't let it dry out, he advises.

4. Ficus thunbergii.

"The oak leaf fig's leaves look like miniature oak leaves. It's a spreading, creeping plant which will also climb a background and it grows quite slowly, which is desirable in a terrarium. The leaves are only a centimetre or two," he explains. Plant it whole or as a cutting.

Top tip: Under lower light it develops bigger leaves, while in brighter light the leaves will be smaller.

5. Peperomia prostrata.

Also known as string of turtles, this plant has a string of circular leaves on each side of the stem which either trail or climb. These plants don't like to be sat in damp soil and the substrate they are sold in is often very heavy and wet, so don't leave them in their original container.

They grow slowly initially but once established will flourish.

Top tip: "The best way to use this plant is via cuttings. With rootless cuttings, you pop them into a terrarium with a very shallow root system and then the leaves plump up in the humidity."

Planting tips.

Be mindful that the larger plants don't completely overshadow the smaller ones, he advises.

"For example, if you plant the ficus next to the fern, the likelihood is that the fern would block out all of the light, but you can position them strategically in a terrarium," he says.

For your terrarium plants, consider using a bonsai-based medium such as akadama, moler clay or lava rock, mixed with coir and vermicast (worm castings). Alternatively, pre-made terrarium soil is available.

He suggests brands like Grow Tropicals and Soil Ninja.

"I would advise anyone to steer clear of using regular compost on its own or soil from their garden," he advises. "It holds on to too much moisture."

When arranging your plants, he recommends considering your terrarium in terms of background, mid-ground and foreground.

"The larger plants which are going to grow biggest should be towards the back, while the smaller plants and maybe creeping plants might be towards the front."

"Arranging your soil on a gradient will allow more surface area and make the plants look better. They need to be in a bright position where they are getting enough light and a terrarium houseplant will have a front, and will look better at a certain angle, so ideally you would display that."

He suggests a north-facing window as an ideal location. A little morning sun can be beneficial, but avoid direct sunlight as it could harm the plants.

He adds that there shouldn't be a strict watering schedule.

"I work two ways to tell. If the substrate appears lighter, that can be an indication that you need to water, or if you are able to get your hands inside and touch the soil with your finger and it feels damp, don't water. If it feels dry you can add a little bit of water. Less is more in a terrarium."

When asked about the ideal shape for a terrarium, he shared: "I have two preferences. One is a cube or cuboid because you don't get the reflection from the glass, especially if you are trying to take a photo."

"I also really like cloches where the lid is completely removable and it makes planting them very easy, but it is down to personal preference."

He suggests removing the lid frequently to check on the plants, as air flow is beneficial but needs to be balanced with maintaining humidity.

For less accessible terrariums with tiny openings, he recommends using long-handled tweezers, long handled scissors or chopsticks to position the plants.

Hello Tiny World by Ben Newell is published by DK, price £20. Available now.