Although both styles can create
attractive indoor displays, they differ in humidity, airflow, moisture
retention, plant selection, watering, and maintenance.
Understanding these differences can
help you choose the right terrarium for your plants and your home.
What Is an Open Terrarium?
An open terrarium is a plant
arrangement placed inside a glass or transparent container that has an opening.
Because the container is exposed to the surrounding air, moisture can escape
more easily.
This usually creates a
lower-humidity environment with greater airflow than a closed terrarium.
Open terrariums can be suitable for
plants that prefer relatively dry conditions and good ventilation. They are
also easy to access, making it simple to water, prune, clean, or rearrange the
plants.
What Is a Closed Terrarium?
A closed terrarium is an enclosed
growing environment, usually made from a glass container with a lid or
covering.
The enclosed design helps retain
moisture and humidity. Water can evaporate from the growing medium and plants,
condense against the glass, and eventually return toward the growing area.
This creates a more humid
environment that can be suitable for plants that prefer higher humidity.
However, a closed terrarium still
requires monitoring. Excessive moisture, poor lighting, or unsuitable plants
can create problems.
Open vs. Closed Terrariums: What's the Difference?
The biggest difference between the
two styles is how they manage moisture and airflow.
An open terrarium generally
provides:
- More airflow
- Lower humidity
- Faster moisture evaporation
- Easier access to plants
- A drier growing environment
A closed terrarium generally
provides:
- Higher humidity
- Greater moisture retention
- Less direct airflow
- Slower moisture loss
- A more enclosed growing environment
Neither style is automatically
better. The right choice depends on the plants you want to grow and the
conditions available in your home.
Benefits of an Open Terrarium
Better Air Circulation
An open container allows air to move
freely around the plants.
This can be useful for plants that
do not perform well in consistently humid conditions. Good airflow can also
help excess moisture escape after watering.
Easier Maintenance
Open terrariums are easy to access.
You can remove damaged leaves, trim
plants, inspect the growing medium, clean the glass, or rearrange the display
without working through a small opening.
This accessibility can make open
terrariums particularly convenient for beginners.
Lower Humidity
Because the container is exposed to
room air, humidity does not remain trapped inside.
This makes an open terrarium more
suitable for plants that prefer relatively dry conditions.
Flexible Plant Arrangements
Open terrariums can accommodate
different plant arrangements because the plants are easy to access.
As plants grow, you can prune them,
move them, or replace them without significantly disturbing the container.
Benefits of a Closed Terrarium
Higher Humidity
The enclosed environment helps
retain moisture and humidity.
This can benefit plants that
naturally prefer humid growing conditions.
Greater Moisture Retention
A closed terrarium loses water more
slowly than an open terrarium.
As a result, it may require less
frequent watering.
However, less frequent watering does
not mean the terrarium should be ignored. Moisture levels should still be
monitored.
A Miniature Water Cycle
Closed terrariums can demonstrate a
small-scale version of the natural water cycle.
Water evaporates from the growing
environment, condenses against the glass, and can eventually return toward the
growing medium.
This is one of the most interesting
characteristics of an enclosed terrarium.
Lush Appearance
The humid environment can help
create a lush miniature landscape.
With compatible plants, a closed
terrarium can resemble a tiny woodland or tropical garden.
Which Plants Are Best for Open Terrariums?
Plant selection should always be based
on the conditions the plant needs.
Open terrariums are generally more
suitable for plants that tolerate lower humidity and good airflow.
Succulents
Many small succulents can work well
in open terrariums because they generally prefer relatively dry conditions.
Their different shapes, colors, and
textures can also create attractive miniature displays.
Cacti
Small cacti can also work well in
suitable open terrariums, particularly when the growing environment provides
appropriate drainage and airflow.
They are especially useful for
desert-inspired arrangements.
Other Dry-Loving Plants
Some other plants that prefer
relatively dry conditions may also be suitable for open terrariums.
Always check the requirements of the
specific species before adding it to your arrangement.
Which Plants Are Best for Closed Terrariums?
Closed terrariums generally work
better for plants that tolerate or prefer higher humidity.
Moss
Moss can create a soft green base
and give a closed terrarium a natural woodland appearance.
Small Ferns
Compact ferns can add height and
texture while benefiting from humid conditions.
Fittonia
Fittonia can add colorful patterned
foliage to a miniature garden and can work well in humid indoor environments.
Small Tropical Plants
Certain compact tropical plants may
also be suitable for closed terrariums.
The key is choosing plants with
compatible requirements for humidity, moisture, light, and space.
Which Terrarium Type Is Better for Beginners?
Both open and closed terrariums can
work for beginners.
An open terrarium may be preferable
if you want:
- More airflow
- Easy access
- Lower humidity
- Simple moisture management
- Plants suited to drier conditions
A closed terrarium may be preferable
if you want:
- Higher humidity
- Greater moisture retention
- Less frequent watering
- A lush miniature garden
- Plants suited to humid conditions
The best starting point is to choose
plants first and then select the terrarium type that matches their
requirements.
How to Choose Between an Open and Closed Terrarium
Consider Your Plants
The plants should be one of the most
important factors in your decision.
Plants that prefer dry conditions
will generally be better suited to an open environment.
Plants that prefer humidity and
consistent moisture may perform better in a closed terrarium.
Consider Your Home Environment
Think about where you plan to keep
the terrarium.
Temperature, natural light, indoor
humidity, and airflow can all affect the growing environment.
Consider Maintenance
An open terrarium provides easy
access and allows moisture to escape more quickly.
A closed terrarium retains moisture
for longer but needs to be monitored for excessive condensation and moisture.
Consider the Appearance
Open terrariums can create clean,
airy, or desert-inspired displays.
Closed terrariums can create lush
miniature landscapes with a woodland or tropical appearance.
If you are creating multiple indoor
plant displays, you can also explore the Great Home Garden Indoor Gardens Collection.
Does an Open Terrarium Need More Water?
Generally, an open terrarium loses
moisture more quickly because it is exposed to the surrounding air.
However, you should not water it
according to a fixed schedule.
Water requirements depend on:
- Plant species
- Container size
- Growing medium
- Temperature
- Indoor humidity
- Light levels
Check the condition of the growing
medium before adding water.
Does a Closed Terrarium Need Water?
A closed terrarium can usually go
longer between watering sessions because the enclosed environment retains
moisture.
Condensation can also return
moisture toward the growing area.
If the growing medium remains
appropriately moist and there is visible condensation, additional water may not
be necessary.
The goal is balanced moisture rather
than constantly wet growing conditions.
Does a Closed Terrarium Need Airflow?
Closed terrariums are designed to
retain humidity, but excessive moisture should not be ignored.
If the glass remains heavily covered
with condensation for extended periods, the environment may be too wet.
Temporarily opening the container
can allow excess moisture to escape when necessary.
How Much Light Does a Terrarium Need?
Both open and closed terrariums need
suitable light.
Many terrarium plants perform well
with bright, indirect light.
Direct sunlight can be problematic
because the glass container can become excessively warm.
The ideal location depends on the
specific light requirements of the plants inside the terrarium.
Can the Same Plants Be Used in Both Terrarium Types?
Not always.
Some plants can tolerate a range of
conditions, but many have specific preferences for humidity and moisture.
A plant that performs well in an
open terrarium may struggle in a humid closed environment.
Similarly, a humidity-loving plant
may dry out more quickly in an open container.
Plant compatibility should therefore
be considered before choosing the terrarium style.
Common Terrarium Mistakes to Avoid
Overwatering
Too much water can create problems
in both types of terrariums.
The risk can be particularly high in
closed terrariums because excess moisture has fewer opportunities to escape.
Choosing Incompatible Plants
Avoid combining plants that have
completely different humidity, moisture, or light requirements.
Choose plants that can comfortably
share the same environment.
Ignoring Light Requirements
Even a carefully designed terrarium
can struggle if it does not receive suitable light.
Research each plant's light
requirements before selecting its location.
Choosing Plants That Outgrow the Container
A small plant can eventually become
too large for a miniature terrarium.
Consider mature size and growth
habits before adding plants.
Treating a Closed Terrarium as Maintenance-Free
Closed terrariums may require less
watering, but they still need observation.
Monitor moisture, condensation,
plant growth, and overall plant health.
Terrarium Options for Your Home
If you prefer starting with a
ready-made terrarium rather than building a container completely from scratch,
Great Home Garden offers terrarium-related options.
The DecorBites™ Glass Bottle
Terrarium Kit provides a dedicated glass
terrarium setup.
The DecorBites™ Glass Vase
Terrarium With Wooden Frame combines a
glass terrarium with a decorative wooden frame.
The Small/Medium Teak Root
Driftwood and Molten Glass Terrarium
offers another decorative option featuring glass and natural-looking driftwood.
Open vs. Closed Terrarium: Which One Should You Choose?
An open terrarium is
generally the better choice when your plants prefer:
- Lower humidity
- Better airflow
- Faster moisture evaporation
- Easy access
- Relatively dry conditions
A closed terrarium is
generally the better choice when your plants prefer:
- Higher humidity
- Greater moisture retention
- Less frequent watering
- A humid environment
- A lush miniature-garden appearance
There is no universally correct choice.
The best terrarium is the one that
provides the environmental conditions your plants actually need.
Final Thoughts
Open and closed terrariums offer two
different ways to create miniature indoor gardens.
Open terrariums provide greater
airflow and allow moisture to escape more easily, making them suitable for
plants that prefer drier conditions.
Closed terrariums retain more
moisture and humidity, making them more appropriate for plants that thrive in
humid environments.
Before choosing between the two,
consider your plants, available light, moisture requirements, container size,
home environment, and preferred maintenance level.
With the right combination of plants
and growing conditions, either type can become a beautiful and rewarding
addition to your indoor garden.
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