Select moisture-loving plants that thrive on humidity and have small leaves and compact or spreading growth habits. Plants in small (2 1⁄2-inch) pots are ideal, but larger (4-inch pot) specimens can be pinched back and even have some of their soil and roots removed to fit into your petite container. Don’t be afraid to experiment—this is a short-term, preseason garden fix, not a science-fair project you’ll keep for years.
Baby’s tears (Helxine soleirolii): Tiny-leafed spreading ground cover
Coleus: a bit tricky because it can rot, but worth a try Creeping Charlie (Pilea nummulariifloria): Trailing
or creeping perennial with deeply quilted pale green leaves Creeping fig (Ficus pumila ‘Curly’): Tiny, crinkled green leaves with bright yellow centers (most creeping fig will work—look for small, pretty leaves) Hedera helix ‘Itsy Bitsy’: Miniature ivy with very tiny, pointed, dark green leaves. Grows in small bushy mounds (most ivies will work—look for small-leafed specimens) Miniature Pilea (Pilea depressa): Tiny dark green leaves; doesn’t need much water (invasive weed;
not suggested for outdoor replanting) Oxalis (most varieties): Oxalis hedysaroides ‘Rubra’ has red leaves (invasive weed, not suggested for outdoor replanting) Peperomia caperata: Mounding, with rosette of deeply corrugated, heart-shaped dark green leaves; sometimes sends off spikes of tiny white flowers Polka-dot plant (Hypoestes sanguinolenta): Pink dots cover deep green leaves; can get tall but takes well to pinching back selaginella (most varieties): Tiny mosses that range from pincushion habit to arching plumes Sinningia pusilla: Micro-mini version of gloxinia—dark green leaves; sometimes sends off spikes of
purple flowers Small-leafed Peperomia ‘minima’: Tiny green leaves on upright, bright red stems Sundew (Drosera intermedia ‘Cuba’): Uses its leaves to trap moisture—very colorful Sword fern (Nephrolepsis exaltata ‘Fluffy Ruffles’): Densely growing miniature fern with fine, lacy fronds (most small ferns will work) Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens): Spreading ground cover with fragrant, tiny leaves A Word About Moss
Think twice before adding moss to your tiny terrarium. Many mosses can rot, turning your terrarium into a moldy, mucky mess. Use only living sphagnum (ask a florist) or Java moss (used in aquariums and found at fish/pet-supply stores). | 
