Growing plants in glass containers isn’t just a design trend—it’s a science-backed way to boost your well-being. Studies show that being around plants can lower stress in just 15 minutes, transforming your home into a calm, inviting retreat.
Glass jar gardens are more than beautiful—they’re efficient ecosystems that fit anywhere, no matter your space. Here are 15 stunning plants perfectly suited for these mini greenhouses, each with unique care needs and eye-catching appeal.
1. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
This elegant Dracaena variety brings both beauty and good fortune to your home. Despite its name, it’s not actually bamboo but thrives wonderfully in water-filled glass containers.
Lucky bamboo is believed to attract prosperity and positive energy in feng shui practice.
- Requires bright, indirect light
- Change water every 1-2 weeks
- Add liquid fertilizer monthly
- Maintains compact size perfect for containers
2. Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis)
The nerve plant’s striking veined leaves create dramatic visual interest in glass terrariums. This compact beauty thrives in the humid environment of closed containers and comes in varieties with veins in red, pink, white, and green.
Its low-growing nature makes it ideal for smaller spaces.
- Keep soil consistently moist
- Provide bright, indirect light
- Mist regularly for humidity
- Trim occasionally to maintain shape
3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
This adaptable houseplant produces elegant cascading leaves and baby plantlets. Spider plants excel in glass containers due to their efficient air-purifying abilities, removing common household toxins.
Their dramatic arching growth pattern creates visual interest from all angles.
- Allow soil to dry between waterings
- Tolerates various light conditions
- Remove brown tips as needed
- Propagate babies easily in water
4. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
As one of the most searched houseplants online with 127,000 monthly queries, pothos proves its enduring popularity. This versatile vine features heart-shaped leaves in various patterns and thrives in both water and soil-filled containers.
Its trailing nature creates stunning vertical displays.
- Tolerates low light conditions
- Water when top inch of soil dries
- Prune regularly to control growth
- Easy to propagate from cuttings
5. Marimo Moss Ball (Aegagropila linnaei)
These fascinating spherical algae formations make unique additions to water-filled glass containers. Native to lakes in Japan and Iceland, these living curiosities require minimal care while providing distinctive appeal.
Their perfectly round shape creates a mesmerizing underwater display.
- Keep in cool, clean water
- Change water every 1-2 weeks
- Squeeze gently to clean
- Rotate occasionally for even growth
6. African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
These charming bloomers produce delicate flowers in various colors while remaining compact. African violets adapt well to terrarium conditions when provided proper drainage.
Their continuous blooming habit provides year-round color in glass containers.
7. Artillery Plant (Pilea microphylla)
This charming plant earns its unique name from its tiny flowers that release bursts of pollen. Its delicate, fern-like appearance comes from many pairs of small, fleshy green leaves that create a dense, moss-like growth pattern.
Artillery plants add a soft, textural element to glass containers while thriving in humid environments.
- Plant in loose, well-draining soil
- Maintain temperatures between 65-85°F
- Water when top two inches of soil dries
- Provide bright, indirect light
8. Strawberry Begonia (Saxifraga stolonifera)
Despite its name, this charming plant isn’t related to strawberries or begonias. Its textured leaves and interesting growth pattern make it perfect for terrariums. The plant produces delicate white flowers and spreads gradually through runners.
- Allow top soil to dry slightly
- Provide bright indirect light
- Maintain even moisture
- Remove spent blooms
9. Baby Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
This delicate-looking plant creates a lush carpet of tiny leaves perfect for terrariums. Its dense growth habit provides excellent ground cover while thriving in humid environments. The diminutive leaves create fascinating miniature landscapes.
- Keep soil consistently moist
- Provide medium to bright light
- Trim regularly to maintain shape
- Mist frequently
10. Air Plants (Tillandsia spp.)
These soilless wonders absorb nutrients directly through their leaves, making them ideal for creative glass displays. Air plants come in various shapes and sizes, allowing for unique artistic arrangements.
Their minimal care requirements make them perfect for busy plant parents.
- Soak in water weekly
- Provide bright indirect light
- Ensure good air circulation
- Mist between soakings
11. Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)
This charming climber creates an enchanting display in glass containers with its delicate trailing vines. Ficus pumila, commonly known as creeping fig, thrives in the high-humidity environment of enclosed glass containers.
Its tiny leaves and compact growth pattern make it an excellent choice for creating miniature landscapes.
12. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema spp.)
This low-maintenance plant features attractive, variegated leaves that add visual interest to glass containers. Chinese evergreen can tolerate low light conditions and infrequent watering, making it perfect for enclosed spaces.
Its air-purifying properties make it both beautiful and functional.
- Prefers well-draining soil
- Tolerates low light conditions
- Maintain moderate humidity
- Avoid overwatering
13. Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
With its distinctively spotted foliage in pink, red, or white, the polka dot plant brings vibrant color to glass gardens. This slow-growing beauty thrives in humid environments and stays naturally compact. Its manageable size makes it perfect for enclosed spaces.
- Maintain moderate humidity
- Provide bright, filtered light
- Prune if becoming leggy
- Keep soil lightly moist
14. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
The prayer plant’s fascinating leaves fold up at night like hands in prayer, creating living art in glass containers. Its colorful foliage adds dramatic flair while thriving in the humid environment of enclosed spaces.
The plant’s natural compact size suits container growing perfectly.
- Loves high humidity
- Needs indirect light
- Keep soil evenly moist
- Avoid cold drafts
15. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
With its unique nest-like shape and rippled fronds, this fern adds architectural interest to glass gardens. Bird’s nest ferns adore humidity and thrive in terrarium conditions. Their distinctive appearance creates a focal point in any glass container arrangement.
- Maintain consistent moisture
- Provide medium indirect light
- Avoid getting leaves wet
- Keep away from direct sun
Creating your own glass container garden is a rewarding way to bring nature indoors while maintaining an elegant, space-saving display. These 15 plants are not only aesthetically pleasing but also well-suited to the unique growing conditions that glass containers provide.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.