Terrarium Guide for Begonias: Best Suitable Plants and Detailed Instructions
In the world of terrarium gardening, few plants capture the imagination quite like Begonias. These vibrant, exotic beauties, originating from the South American tropics, thrive in a closed terrarium due to their love for warmth and humidity. This article will guide you through the process of creating a captivating Begonia terrarium, from choosing the right plants to maintaining a healthy environment.
Begonias are unique due to their range of leaf shapes, growth patterns, and colours. For example, the petite Begonia 'Little Darling' boasts maroon-colored jagged leaves with emerald green spots, while Begonia rajah showcases textured leaves between burgundy and salmon pink with wild Shrek-green venation. Other standout varieties include Begonia crispula, which resembles the Chinese Money Plant and has beautiful lily-pad leaves at the end of bright pink stems, and Begonia manaus with round red or khaki leaves with a lime gradient.
When selecting Begonias for a terrarium, it's essential to choose compact or slow-growing varieties that won't outgrow the enclosed space quickly. Suitable options include Begonia foliosa, a dainty vining Begonia with forest green leaves and pink stems, and Begonia bipinnatifida, with skeletal-looking foliage and veins prominent.
Rare and unusual varieties such as Begonia Escargot, Cleopatrae, and Bullatifolia also thrive in high humidity and stable temperatures, making them excellent choices for terrariums. These begonias offer attractive foliage patterns that add a unique visual element to your terrarium.
When it comes to creating a Begonia terrarium, consistency is key to growing healthy plants. A controlled environment like a terrarium helps provide that. It's important to use a drainage layer and high-quality substrate, especially in a terrarium, as Begonias require a substrate that retains moisture, drains well, and provides root aeration.
To add contrast and vibrant colours, consider using plants like the deep turquoise Selaginella uncinata for ground cover, Lemon Button Fern with zingy lime-coloured fronds, and Saxifraga sarmentosa, while not a true Begonia, is great for terrariums due to its Spider Plant propagative tactics.
Two tiny fluffy divided Asparagus Ferns are also a great addition to contrast the Begonia and add more textures. The amount of substrate needed is enough to comfortably house the roots of the plants.
A 360° planting style is used for this dainty terrarium build to make it look good from all angles. To maintain the terrarium, keep it in a bright spot, out of direct sunlight, or use a grow light. Watering should be done carefully to avoid mold or rot in the enclosed environment. It's easier to start small and add more water if the plants need it.
For those interested in exploring specific rare Begonias ideal for terrariums, Emm's Plant House is a great online source. For more general Begonias, Lowe’s and Peace, Love & Happiness Club offer a variety of options, including types tolerant of shade and moderate light, suitable for terrarium conditions.
With a little care and the right plant choices, creating a stunning Begonia terrarium can be a rewarding and creative endeavour. Enjoy the process and watch your terrarium come to life!
In this article, we recommend using a 360° planting style for a dainty Begonia terrarium build, emphasizing contrast and vibrant colors with plant choices such as Selaginella uncinata, Lemon Button Fern, Saxifraga sarmentosa, Asparagus Ferns, and other Begonias like Begonia foliosa, Begonia bipinnatifida, and rare varieties like Begonia Escargot, Cleopatrae, and Bullatifolia. These plants offer unique visual elements while thriving in high humidity and stable temperatures, making them excellent choices for creating a captivating and healthy home-and-garden lifestyle environment.
