Creating a Lush Haven: Top 100 Bioactive Terrarium Plants
Embarking on the journey of designing a terrarium opens up a world of possibilities for cultivating a miniature ecosystem. The careful selection of plants is crucial to achieving a visually stunning and thriving environment. Here are the top 30 terrarium plants, along with estimated prices, to help you transform your terrarium into a lush haven:
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Ferns (Adiantum spp.):
- Price Range: $5 - $20
- Graceful and delicate, ferns add a touch of elegance to your terrarium. Varieties like Maidenhair Fern are popular choices.
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Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata):
- Price Range: $10 - $30
- Known for its hardiness, the Snake Plant brings a modern and architectural element to terrariums.
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Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum):
- Price Range: $8 - $15
- With arching leaves and air-purifying qualities, the Spider Plant is a favorite for terrariums.
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Pothos (Epipremnum aureum):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- Versatile and easy to care for, Pothos vines cascade beautifully, making them ideal for terrariums.
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Moss (Various species):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- Moss varieties like Pillow Moss or Cushion Moss contribute to a naturalistic ground cover.
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Fittonia (Fittonia spp.):
- Price Range: $8 - $20
- With vibrant, intricate patterns on its leaves, Fittonia adds a pop of color and texture to terrariums.
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Air Plants (Tillandsia spp.):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- Epiphytic and requiring no soil, Air Plants can be creatively mounted on driftwood or other surfaces.
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Baby Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- This ground-covering plant creates a lush carpet, adding a sense of abundance to your terrarium.
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African Violet (Saintpaulia spp.):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- Compact and flowering, African Violets introduce a burst of color and charm to your terrarium.
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Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila):
- Price Range: $5 - $20
- A climbing vine with small leaves, Creeping Fig is perfect for covering vertical surfaces.
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Bromeliads (Various species):
- Price Range: $10 - $30
- Striking and diverse, Bromeliads offer unique shapes and colors, creating focal points in your terrarium.
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Maidenhair Vine (Muehlenbeckia complexa):
- Price Range: $8 - $18
- Delicate and cascading, Maidenhair Vine adds a whimsical touch to your terrarium.
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String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- The trailing beads of String of Pearls create an eye-catching feature in your terrarium.
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Peperomia (Various species):
- Price Range: $8 - $20
- Compact and with varied foliage, Peperomias bring texture and interest to your terrarium.
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Lemon Button Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Duffii'):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- The small, lemon-shaped leaflets of this fern add a touch of uniqueness to your terrarium.
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Calathea (Various species):
- Price Range: $15 - $40
- Known for their vibrant patterns, Calatheas introduce a tropical flair to your terrarium.
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English Ivy (Hedera helix):
- Price Range: $8 - $20
- A classic choice for terrariums, English Ivy provides trailing vines and dense foliage.
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Nerve Plant (Fittonia spp.):
- Price Range: $8 - $18
- With distinctive vein patterns, Nerve Plants contribute to the visual interest of your terrarium.
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Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana):
- Price Range: $10 - $30
- Elegant and easy to care for, Lucky Bamboo adds a touch of Zen to your terrarium.
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Selaginella (Various species):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- Resilient and with unique foliage, Selaginellas are excellent for adding texture.
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Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura):
- Price Range: $8 - $20
- Known for its fascinating folding leaves, the Prayer Plant is captivating in a terrarium setting.
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Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- Vibrant and compact, Polka Dot Plants bring a splash of color to your terrarium.
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Dwarf Umbrella Tree (Schefflera arboricola):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- A miniature version of the larger Umbrella Tree, this plant adds a tropical vibe.
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Japanese Sedge (Carex morrowii):
- Price Range: $8 - $18
- Grass-like and compact, Japanese Sedge is ideal for ground cover in terrariums.
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Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes spp.):
- Price Range: $15 - $40
- For a touch of the exotic, incorporate a carnivorous Pitcher Plant into your terrarium.
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Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- Unique tubular flowers make the Lipstick Plant a captivating addition to your terrarium.
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Goldfish Plant (Nematanthus spp.):
- Price Range: $8 - $20
- With bright orange, tubular flowers resembling goldfish, this plant adds a whimsical touch.
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Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- Aloe Vera brings a succulent element to your terrarium, with the added benefit of its medicinal properties.
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Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides):
- Price Range: $10 - $30
- Renowned for its coin-shaped leaves, the Chinese Money Plant adds a modern aesthetic to your terrarium.
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Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea lancifolia):
- Price Range: $12 - $30
- Characterized by its striking patterns, the
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Miniature Orchids (Various species):
- Price Range: $15 - $40
- Tiny and elegant, miniature orchids add a touch of sophistication to your terrarium.
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Rex Begonia (Begonia rex):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- Known for their vibrant and patterned foliage, Rex Begonias are eye-catching additions.
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Club Moss (Selaginella kraussiana):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- Resembling miniature ferns, Club Moss brings a forest floor feel to your terrarium.
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Sensitive Plant (Mimosa pudica):
- Price Range: $8 - $18
- With leaves that fold in response to touch, the Sensitive Plant adds interactivity to your terrarium.
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Purple Waffle Plant (Hemigraphis alternata):
- Price Range: $8 - $20
- Known for its uniquely textured and purple-hued leaves, the Purple Waffle Plant is a striking choice.
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Silver Nerve Plant (Fittonia spp. 'Silver'):
- Price Range: $8 - $18
- A variation of the Nerve Plant with silver veining, adding a subtle shimmer to your terrarium.
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Aluminum Plant (Pilea cadierei):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- Named for the silver patterns on its leaves, the Aluminum Plant offers a modern aesthetic.
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Begonia amphioxus:
- Price Range: $12 - $30
- A unique Begonia variety with intricate leaves resembling a starfish, adding a touch of the exotic.
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Rainbow Moss (Selaginella uncinata):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- Exhibiting a range of colors, Rainbow Moss adds a vibrant and dynamic element to your terrarium.
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Alocasia Polly (Alocasia amazonica 'Polly'):
- Price Range: $15 - $35
- With striking arrow-shaped leaves, Alocasia Polly brings a bold and tropical vibe.
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String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii):
- Price Range: $8 - $20
- Delicate cascading vines adorned with heart-shaped leaves make String of Hearts a charming choice.
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Rhipsalis (Various species):
- Price Range: $10 - $30
- Epiphytic and often resembling coral, Rhipsalis adds a unique, tropical flair to your terrarium.
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Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans 'Black Pagoda'):
- Price Range: $12 - $30
- A variation of the Lipstick Plant with deep burgundy foliage, creating a dramatic effect.
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Golden Clubmoss (Selaginella kraussiana 'Aurea'):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- A golden-hued variation of Club Moss, adding warmth and color to your terrarium.
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Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- Gloxinias produce vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers, introducing a burst of color.
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Monstera Adansonii:
- Price Range: $12 - $30
- Recognized by its Swiss cheese-like leaves, Monstera Adansonii adds a playful and tropical touch.
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Silver Squill (Ledebouria socialis):
- Price Range: $8 - $18
- Small and compact, Silver Squill has striking silver-striped leaves, suitable for smaller terrariums.
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Lipstick Vine (Aeschynanthus radicans):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- Dangling red tubular flowers give the Lipstick Vine a unique and vibrant appearance.
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Strawberry Begonia (Saxifraga stolonifera):
- Price Range: $8 - $20
- Despite its name, Strawberry Begonia is not a true begonia but has charming strawberry-like runners.
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Dendrobium Orchids (Dendrobium spp.):
- Price Range: $15 - $40
- Graceful and diverse, Dendrobium Orchids bring an orchid's elegance to your terrarium.
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Moses in the Cradle (Tradescantia spathacea):
- Price Range: $8 - $18
- Characterized by purple undersides, Moses in the Cradle is both hardy and visually appealing.
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Sundew (Drosera spp.):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- For a carnivorous touch, Sundews have sticky tentacles that attract and trap small insects.
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Chocolate Soldier Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa):
- Price Range: $8 - $20
- Furry, chocolate-brown leaves make the Chocolate Soldier Plant a charming succulent choice.
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Hoya (Various species):
- Price Range: $12 - $30
- Known for their wax-like flowers, Hoyas bring a touch of elegance and uniqueness to your terrarium.
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Button Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- Compact and with round leaflets, Button Fern is ideal for adding texture to your terrarium.
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Aquamarine Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura 'Kerchoveana'):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- A variety of the Prayer Plant with striking aquamarine markings on its leaves.
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Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii):
- Price Range: $15 - $40
- For a desert-themed terrarium, the Golden Barrel Cactus adds a touch of the arid landscape.
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Ti Plant (Cordyline fruticosa):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- With vibrant, sword-shaped leaves, the Ti Plant adds a tropical and colorful element.
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Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus):
- Price Range: $10 - $30
- Known for its gracefully arching fronds, Bird's Nest Fern adds a lush, tropical feel.
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Blue Star Fern (Phlebodium aureum):
- Price Range: $8 - $20
- Blue-green fronds make the Blue Star Fern a unique and captivating choice for your terrarium.
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Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii):
- Price Range: $15 - $40
- A small and graceful palm, the Bamboo Palm adds a tropical touch to your terrarium.
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Red-Edged Dracaena (Dracaena marginata):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- Characterized by its slender, arching leaves with red edges, this Dracaena is visually striking.
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Gold Dust Croton (Codiaeum variegatum 'Gold Dust'):
- Price Range: $12 - $30
- Vibrant and colorful, the Gold Dust Croton features speckled leaves in various hues.
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Coral Cactus (Euphorbia lactea 'Cristata'):
- Price Range: $15 - $40
- Uniquely shaped like a coral reef, this cactus adds an exotic and sculptural element.
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Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- Known for its bold, zebra-like patterns, this plant brings a touch of the wild to your terrarium.
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Tillandsia Air Plant Mix (Various species):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- A mix of various Tillandsia species, each contributing to an air-purifying and low-maintenance environment.
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Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae):
- Price Range: $15 - $40
- A miniature version of the iconic tropical plant, the Bird of Paradise adds a dramatic flair.
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Japanese Pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- With glossy green leaves, this plant offers a classic and polished appearance.
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Aubrieta (Aubrieta deltoidea):
- Price Range: $8 - $18
- A cascading perennial with vibrant flowers, Aubrieta adds a burst of color to your terrarium.
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Dragon's Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Twisted Sister'):
- Price Range: $12 - $30
- A twisted and contorted variety of Snake Plant, Dragon's Tongue provides a unique visual appeal.
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Queen's Tears (Billbergia nutans):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- An epiphytic bromeliad with hanging flowers, Queen's Tears adds an elegant and cascading effect.
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Chocolate Mint (Mentha x piperita 'Chocolate'):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- With a delightful chocolate scent, this mint variety contributes fragrance to your terrarium.
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Moon Valley Pilea (Pilea involucrata):
- Price Range: $8 - $20
- Known for its deeply textured leaves, the Moon Valley Pilea adds an interesting and lunar-like element.
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Firecracker Plant (Russelia equisetiformis):
- Price Range: $8 - $18
- Cascading stems with tubular flowers resembling firecrackers make this plant visually stunning.
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Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia):
- Price Range: $8 - $20
- With thick, glossy leaves, the Baby Rubber Plant is a compact and easy-to-care-for choice.
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Crimson Queen Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'):
- Price Range: $15 - $40
- A dwarf variety with finely dissected leaves, adding a touch of elegance and color.
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String of Bananas (Senecio radicans):
- Price Range: $8 - $18
- Cascading vines with banana-shaped leaves make this succulent a playful addition.
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Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- Dainty and pendulous flowers of various hues, adding a burst of color to your terrarium.
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Variegated Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila 'Variegata'):
- Price Range: $5 - $20
- A variegated form of the Creeping Fig, offering both texture and visual interest.
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Fairy Moss (Azolla caroliniana):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- A tiny floating fern, Fairy Moss adds a magical and delicate touch to aquatic terrariums.
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Lace Flower Vine (Alsobia dianthiflora):
- Price Range: $8 - $18
- Delicate white flowers with lace-like patterns make this vine an elegant choice.
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Fuchsia Begonia (Begonia fuchsioides):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- Resembling fuchsia flowers, this Begonia variety adds a touch of whimsy.
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Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- Low-growing and grass-like, Mondo Grass is perfect for creating ground cover in terrariums.
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Rainbow Caladium (Caladium bicolor 'Florida Sweetheart'):
- Price Range: $10 - $30
- Vibrant and multicolored, Rainbow Caladium adds a tropical and artistic flair.
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Grape Ivy (Cissus rhombifolia):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- Lush green vines with deeply cut leaves, Grape Ivy adds a classic and timeless charm.
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Corkscrew Rush (Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'):
- Price Range: $8 - $20
- Twisted and corkscrew-like stems make this rush variety an intriguing choice.
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Red Flame Ivy (Hemigraphis alternata 'Red Flame'):
- Price Range: $8 - $18
- With red-tinted leaves, this Ivy variety adds a fiery and dynamic element.
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Alpine Strawberry (Fragaria vesca):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- Miniature strawberries add a touch of whimsy and edible delight to your terrarium.
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Emerald Ripple Peperomia (Peperomia caperata):
- Price Range: $8 - $18
- Wavy and textured leaves give this Peperomia variety a unique and eye-catching appearance.
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Snow Bush (Breynia disticha):
- Price Range: $10 - $25
- Variegated leaves with shades of pink, green, and white make Snow Bush a visually striking choice.
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Blue Echeveria (Echeveria glauca):
- Price Range: $8 - $20
- Rosette-shaped succulent with blue-gray leaves, adding a touch of desert elegance.
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Dragon's Blood Sedum (Sedum spurium):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- Resilient and drought-tolerant, Dragon's Blood Sedum offers reddish foliage for visual interest.
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English Stonecrop (Sedum anglicum):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- Low-growing and easy to care for, English Stonecrop adds a ground-covering element.
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Variegated Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina 'Tricolor'):
- Price Range: $8 - $18
- Striped and variegated leaves make this Wandering Jew variety visually captivating.
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Lipstick Echeveria (Echeveria agavoides):
- Price Range: $8 - $20
- Resembling a cluster of rosettes, the Lipstick Echeveria adds a succulent charm.
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Lemon Coral Sedum (Sedum mexicanum 'Lemon Coral'):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- With vibrant yellow-green foliage, this Sedum variety adds a pop of color.
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Red Stemmed Parrot's Feather (Myriophyllum brasiliense):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- Aquatic and feathery, Red Stemmed Parrot's Feather adds elegance to aquatic terrariums.
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Silver Nettle (Plectranthus argentatus):
- Price Range: $8 - $18
- Velvety silver leaves make Silver Nettle an attractive and low-maintenance choice.
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Angel's Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii 'Variegata'):
- Price Range: $5 - $15
- Variegated form of Baby Tears, adding a delicate and variegated ground cover.
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Baby Toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla): - Price Range: $8 - $20 - Succulent with unique window-like structures on its leaves, adding intrigue to your terrarium.
