“Snake plants can certainly thrive in an open terrarium setup,” says Jonathan, a renowned houseplant expert. “Their thick leaves allow them to retain moisture well.”
Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, are one of the hardiest houseplants you can find.
With their ability to withstand low light and infrequent watering, they seem like naturals for a terrarium environment.
Does an open terrarium provide enough humidity for snake plants to flourish? I’ll share my experience raising different varieties in various terrarium setups over the years.
By the end, you’ll know if these tough plants are right for your terrarium and how to care for them.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Can you put snake plant in open terrarium?
Snake plants can survive in an open terrarium if the environment is carefully controlled and monitored, though a closed terrarium may provide more consistent conditions for optimal health. (1)
It takes an experienced gardener to keep snake plants happy in an open setup.
Snake Plant Sunshine: Unveiling the Secrets of Open Terrariums
When building an open terrarium (2), it’s important to think about the snake plant’s sunlight needs.
Snake plants are well-known for being tough indoor plants that do good in low lighting.
But did you know they still need some direct sunlight to thrive? Many people keep snake plants indoors because they do well in low light.
Without some sun, their growth may slow down.
While snake plants can handle low indoor lighting, they’ll do best with at least a few hours of bright indirect light each day.
Near an east or west-facing window is perfect.
South windows work too if you move the planter slightly back from the hot afternoon sun.
During the summer, you may even see snake plants putting out flowering stalks if they get enough quality sunshine!
Another tip when placing plants in an open terrarium – be mindful of any nearby heating vents.
Snake plants like average room temperatures between 65 to 80 degrees F.
Positioning them near vents risks exposing the leaves to dry, hot air.
Keep an eye out for browning tips as a sign it may be too warm of a spot.
By understanding a snake plant’s basic sunlight preferences, your open terrarium planting will be thoughtful and support healthy growth.
Thriving Together: Snake Plants and Terrarium Companions
When setting up an attractive open terrarium, consider augmenting your snake plants with complementary plant companions.
Snake plants are low maintenance and slow growing.
They make excellent anchor plants to mix tropical plants, air plants, or other low light plants that don’t compete for resources.
One classic pairing is the beautiful polka dot plant.
Its green leaves splashed red or white add visual appeal.
Polka dot plants also prefer bright indirect light and average room temperatures.
Another option is air plants attached floating above the snake plants.
Their unique rosette forms look lovely and require no soil – just mist them occasionally.
You could even combine the rugged snake plant with delicate peace lilies for contrast.
Peace lilies thrive on humidity from the closed container but can tolerate a little less in an open terrarium.
Just be sure not to overwater these dramatic blooming plants around the drought-resistant snake plant.
Get creative with your combinations!
With some selection and placement care, you can design a gorgeous terrarium plant scape that’s also low maintenance.
Watering Wonders: Navigating Moisture for Snake Plants
Sansevieria trifasciata or snake plants are well known for preferring dry soil conditions.
This makes them a fine choice for an open terrarium where conditions lean on the dry side.
While it’s important not to let the soil become bone dry, aiming for just moist is ideal.
Unlike closed terrariums where soil stays constantly damp – in an open terrarium you’ll need to water carefully.
The general rule for watering snake plants is to water when the top inch of soil becomes dry.
You can check this by gently probing your index finger an inch down.
Only water when dry and be sure to drain any excess water from the saucer or planter base below.
Another tip is to water less in winter when plants are sedentary.
Or during very dry indoor heating seasons, move the terrarium to a humid room like the bathroom for15 minutes weekly.
The unique criss-cross patterned leaves of snake plants allow them to store water very efficiently.
This makes them flexible about moist versus dry soil stretches.
By following their preferences through observing the foliage and soil dryness, you’ll keep your terrarium plants satisfied.
Understanding different plant’s watering preferences is crucial to creating balanced terrarium care.
Beyond the Glass: Crafting the Perfect Open Terrarium Environment
Setting up the right environment is essential for any planting – whether a bowl of prayer plants or a larger open terrarium.
Begin with a clean glass or plastic container with drainage holes.
Add an inch of expanded clay pebbles, LECA balls, or gravel for drainage and humidity regulation.
Next, layer dampened sphagnum moss or coconut coir.
This will keep the soil continually moist without becoming waterlogged.
Consider a snake plant, nerve plant, prayer plant trio for your terrarium plants that thrive in different conditions.
Augment with moisture loving hypoestes phyllostachya or peperomia around the edges.
Don’t forget small decorative rocks or lichen for visual appeal.
Place your creation in bright, indirect light and keep humidity levels consistent through closed lids or pebble trays.
With the right basics, you’re sure to create the perfect symbiotic ecosystem for these diverse yet complementary terrarium plants!
Designing Elegance: Aesthetic Tips for Snake Plant Terrariums
With their long green leaves, snake plants make a nice anchor for an open terrarium.
But you can take it further by thoughtfully placing other plants for open terrariums around them.
Add texture with the fuzzy string of pearls hanging over the glass edges.
Dangle delicate earth star air plants throughout for flowing visual interest.
For a pop of pattern, nestle polka dot plants with their white-splashed leaves near the middle.
Contrast varieties by pairing the snake plant’s strapping form with something delicate like african violets blooming by the window.
Speaking of windows, zebra haworthia’s twisting stems and maranta leuconeura’s coin-shaped leaves look beautiful floating in a clear terrarium by a light source.
Whether using tall risers or shallow bowls, consider the overall plantscape design.
You can achieve distinct layering much like an open-air indoor garden by varying plant heights throughout your creation.
Place the golden pothos’ creeping fig vines winding up removable structures for a natural, organic vibe.
With the right ambiance, your open terrarium will become a lush landscape worthy of any interior space.
Troubleshooting Bliss: Solutions for Snake Plant Terrarium Woes
Even the low-maintenance snake plant may encounter minor issues now and again in a shared terrarium environment.
Watch for occasional yellowing leaves, which could signal over or under-watering.
Ease back on watering if soil stays moist and increases as weather cools.
Pests like spider mites can hitchhike in on new additions – treat any webbing or spots promptly before spread.
Understanding different plant care needs prevents problems, too.
Snake plants handle sparse watering better than most so avoid excess soil moisture near thirstier specimens.
Provide direct light in moderation to maintain plant health and prevent aluminum plant’s drying around edges.
As a very drought tolerant plant, snake plants serve as excellent purifying companions in terrariums.
With regular observation and small adjustments as needed, your delightful design will remain pest-free and in good health for seasons to come!
The Science of Success: Snake Plants and Open Terrarium Microclimates
When arranging a beautiful terrarium garden, it’s important to think about how each plant affects the environment.
This is called a microclimate.
In an open terrarium, plants will encounter different temperature and moisture levels than the outside world.
Understanding each species’ needs ensures we meet those needs while pairing complimentary plants.
Snake plants thrive with warm temps and low humidity levels in their natural habitat.
A terrarium allows replicating such climate easily around it.
Other members like moisture loving chamaedorea elegans helps offset dry conditions, while airflow/humidity loving succulents and cacti balance factors for all.
Together they create ideal growing balances by complementing traits.
When grouping saxifraga stolonifera with soleirolia soleirolii amongst snake plants, the interplay keeps soil continuously moist without becoming sodden.
Evaporation from porous planters aids transpiration and root health too.
The climbing codiaeum variegatum lifts its colorful leaves high, shading roots yet stimulating snake plants upward reaching.
By matching different functions in plant partnerships, each benefits fully.
Snake plants appreciate consistent temperatures and drainage-retaining mixins that bolsters hardiness in terrariums.
Understanding dynamics between selections helps engineer thriving micro ecosystems for long lasting indoor gardening enjoyment!
More about Snake Plant in Open Terrariums
Frequently Asked Questions
Are snake plants suitable for open terrariums?
Snake plants are a great choice for open terrariums since they can tolerate lower humidity than many other indoor plants.
Their thick leaves allow them to store water and go longer between waterings.
Snake plants prefer medium indirect bright light and enjoy warm temperatures.
What other plants work well with snake plants in an open terrarium?
Some plants that thrive alongside snake plants in open terrariums include pothos, spider plants, peperomia, syngonium and christmas or jade plants. (3)
These all grow well in low light and prefer similar care to snake plants.
African violets and diffenbachia can also do well if provided partial shade from the direct light.
How do I choose other plants for an open terrarium with snake plants?
When selecting other plants for your terrarium with snake plants, choose ones that have comparable light and moisture needs.
Look for varieties labeled for low-light conditions and that thrive in the same growing conditions as snake plants.
Avoid plants prone to root rot issues in humid environments.
What light conditions do open terrariums and snake plants prefer?
Snake plants grow best in medium indirect bright light.
Most open terrarium plants also do well in medium to low light, unlike some closed terrarium plants that require higher light.
East, west or northeast-facing windows provide the preferred bright, filtered sunlight.
Southern exposures may be too strong unless the terrarium can be shaded part of the day.
How do I care for an open terrarium with snake plants?
Some tips for caring for an open terrarium include watering when the topsoil is dry, providing adequate drainage, and mixing compatible plants with similar light and moisture needs.
Check on plants regularly for signs of over or underwatering.
Consider the placement and ensure it receives the right light conditions for all plants to thrive.
Conclusion
In closing, while open terrariums may seem like an attractive choice for showcasing snake plants, they unfortunately create conditions that will likely lead to problems.
The high humidity and poor air circulation cause issues like fungal diseases and root rot.
Based on my background caring for indoor plants, I strongly advise against placing snake plants in open terrariums long-term.
However, short-term display for special occasions may be possible if closely monitored.
The key is reverting back to a well-draining pot with lower humidity.
For the healthiest and happiest snake plants, choose an appropriate potting mix in a container with drainage holes.
Follow proper watering techniques and give them space to breathe.
Your plants will reward you with their vibrant upright leaves for years to come!
Let me know in the comments if you have any other snake plant or terrarium questions.
References
- https://www.yourindoorherbs.com/best-plants-open-terrarium/
- https://terrariumtribe.com/open-terrarium/
- https://www.thespruce.com/great-terrarium-plants-847877
Related Articles
- https://allthingsgardener.com/10-of-the-best-low-light-terrarium-plants/
- https://allthingsgardener.com/snake-plant-can-repel-mosquitoes/
- https://allthingsgardener.com/know-the-best-humidity-for-snake-plant-2021/