Easy care plants for Vivariums ?

[Cer]

Hi, I am still setting up my dart frog tank and was looking to get some plants. My tank is an 18x18x24 terrarium with 2 26w bulbs. The tanks substrate is ABG mix. For frogs I hope to get some leucs or tricolors. Are there any easy to care for plants that could thrive in these settings ? Thank you.

[Philsuma]

The easiest thing to do, especially for your first Vivarium, is to go to a local greenhouse, plant store, nursery and ask them for their selection of "Terrarium plants". Almost all greenhouses and plant sellers have smaller plants in an area of the store that are suitable to enclosed / humid environments.

[Todd S.]

There are a ton of plants that are fairly easy to grow, however be forewarned that often the easy plants to grow are almost considered weeds in vivarium settings.

Some good selections are as follows:

Epipremnum (Pothos)

Philodendron .Some of these can get quite big tho so just be prepared to cut them back or remove them.

Ficus pumila and several of its related varieties/species. Make sure that you are getting a creeping species as most of the upright/bonsai types either dont like the stagnant humidity or grow too tall for the vivarium. (Refer to the Banyon tree found in Southern USA, This is actually a Ficus species)

A few Selaginella species are quite easy to grow once establish, often quickly creating a lush carpet across the ground of the vivarium.


Now, my question is, how high is your vivarium ?

Todd

[D3monic]

Now, my question is, how high is your vivarium ?

Todd

24"

[D3monic]

Most begonias will do well as well. I really like this red and green leafed one I got from Home Depot

[Todd S.]

For that height , aim for lowlight plants near the bottom.
You could mount some higher light stuff closer to the top.

I will get a list of good plant options together when I get a chance later tonight.


Todd

[Todd S.]

For the lower areas in your viv:
Selaginella
Syngonium
Jewel orchids.

For the mid areas:
Begonias
Pilea
Mosses


For the higher areas:
Peperomia
Ficus

There are really so many to name.

[Brian317]

I personally think Pothos, ficus, and prayer plants are pretty easy to care for in a vivarium type setting. There are a few others that I've got from Lowes Garden Center that did very well and were low care...but can't remember the names!! Best of luck!

[Philsuma]

Easy way to get decent plants ? Go to your local nursery or indoor plant grow store and ask for their 'Terrarium friendly" plants. Also make sure that they do not use insecticide or fertilizers. Most do not, as the plantings are tiny and usually priced pretty low.

[Rusty_Shackleford]

Still be wary of snails and slugs. Give your new plants a short bath in a 10% bleach solution.

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[Philsuma]

^^ and then 2+ fresh water rinses after the 10% bleach.

I've heard people leave the plant in the 10% bleach solution for even a couple mins ?

[Rusty_Shackleford]

At least two rinses if not many more.
I leave my plants submerged for about 10 minutes before beginning a rigorous rinse routine.

[Brian317]

^Yup Yup!

I remove all soil and rinse, short normal soak, then 10 bleach bath for 10 min to kill all the baddies. After that, fresh rinse...followed by another soak in clean water. After the bath, few more rinses and let them re-establish in either ABG or sphag for a bit.