11 Cozy Fall Terrarium Ideas

There is something wonderfully cozy about a terrarium, and what better time to start one than in the fall? While the world and garden outside fade to brown, you can create a miniature refuge of life and color indoors. 

Terrariums are fascinating little worlds where you can grow things that have particular environmental needs. They bring the peaceful comfort of nature indoors, where you can enjoy it throughout the fall and winter. Creating one in the fall is a lovely way of keeping the garden close at hand, even through the winter. 

Choosing plants for your cozy fall terrarium is about capturing warmth and earthiness in miniature form. Look for plants that thrive in indirect light conditions. Choose plants with fall blooms, beautiful colors, and interesting textures. Add in some accents, like stones, moss, and textural seed pods, to evoke the true vibe of autumn. 

Miniature African Violet

	botanical name Streptocarpus ionanthus
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 2”-9”
	hardiness zones 11-12

Miniature African violets are perfect plants for a cozy fall terrarium. It’s a great way to showcase their velvety leaves and shimmering flowers in fall, and throughout the year. These plants thrive in the cozy, protected environment of a glass container where they get steady humidity and filtered sunlight. 

African violets like a significant amount of light if you want them to flower (which, of course, you do). Just don’t place them in direct exposure for more than four hours a day. Choose an open terrarium for this plant, as they need airflow along with their humidity. Combine them with some mosses and small ferns to mimic their native habitat of a forest floor. 

Fern Leaf Begonia

	botanical name Begonia bipinnatifida
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height Up to 18”
	hardiness zones 10-11

Begonias are ideal cozy fall terrarium plants, and the fern leaf begonia is a delightful, small variety. It has delicate, fernlike leaves in shades of red and olive green, perfect for a fall vibe. These work well in closed terrariums, as they love warmth, moist air, and diffused light. 

Use a loose, airy mixture for your soil. A combination of peat, perlite, and fine bark works well. These like consistent moisture and a constant environment. The beautiful texture and form of this plant are refined and graceful. They are perfect for creating a cozy terrarium to enjoy during the cooler months. 

Flame Violet

	botanical name Episcia cupreata
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 6”-12”
	hardiness zones 10-12

Add a burst of tropical warmth to your cozy fall terrarium with a flame violet. Similar to African violets, these pretty plants have shimmering, velvet leaves and bright, bold flowers. They’re trailing plants, so choose a container that it can spill out of for dramatic effect. A larger container is nice for this plant, as well, where it will trail along moss and pebbles. 

Flame violets bring a cozy, firelit energy to the terrarium. The flowers, which bloom throughout most of the year, look like lights blazing on the forest floor. It will thrive in a closed or semi-closed environment as long as the roots don’t sit in soggy soil. 

Cape Primrose

	botanical name Streptocarpus saxorum
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 6”-8”
	hardiness zones 9-11

Cape primroses, also known as false African violets, love a cozy terrarium environment. They naturally thrive in a humid, sheltered environment, so they’re happy in a semi-closed space. Cape primroses do prefer some air circulation. They need indirect or filtered light, which they get through the glass. 

Treat your cape primrose similarly to an African violet. They have similar needs in terms of soil, moisture, and light. If its needs are met, it will bloom through the fall, bringing color and life to the dreary season. These can be great bloomers with the right care.

Jewel Orchid

	botanical name Ludisia discolor
	sun requirements Medium indirect light
	height 4”-24”
	hardiness zones 11-12

Jewel orchids are perfect for the cozy atmosphere of a terrarium. These unusual orchids love warm, humid environments with low light. From behind the glass, you will enjoy all of their wonderful qualities. Make sure they have a loose, airy soil mix, and keep it lightly moist, never soggy.

Jewel orchids are primarily grown as foliage plants. They have shimmery, dark, velvet leaves with glowing, metallic veins throughout. Sending out runners over time, they spring up along the miniature forest floor. They are fall bloomers, and though the flowers aren’t showy, it’s a nice feature. They are small and white and add some extra flair to your terrarium in the off-season.

Dwarf Kalanchoe

	botanical name Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height Up to 24”
	hardiness zones 10-12

A dwarf kalanchoe brings color and cheer to your cozy fall terrarium. Glossy, sculptural leaves and clusters of tiny, long-lasting flowers make this a great choice. The blooms come in bright shades of pink, red, orange, or yellow, which are a welcome splash of color through autumn and winter. 

Kalanchoe stores water in its succulent leaves, so humidity is not its best friend. For this plant, choose an open terrarium with plenty of air circulation. Use a succulent mix or gravel as potting material; it needs ample drainage. Bright, indirect light is best, though it can handle some direct sun. 

Miniature Anthurium

	botanical name Anthurium spp.
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 6”-12”
	hardiness zones 10-12

Anthuriums can be fussy and difficult to manage indoors. These tropical plants are particular about their environment. They like high humidity, good ventilation, and a similar amount of light to what they get on the forest floor. They need bright light, but direct exposure will burn the leaves. 

The consistent warmth, humidity, and filtered light from inside a terrarium keep an anthurium happy. Miniature cultivars remain compact and look elegant and snug in their cozy home. Because they need good air flow, a semi-open container is preferable. 

Star Cactus

	botanical name Haworthia retusa
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 2”-6”
	hardiness zones 10-11

Star cactus is a type of haworthia with stunning, succulent foliage. Its leaves grow in a tight rosette, and the ends of the leaves are translucent, resembling glass or crystal. They’re pointed at the ends, giving the entire plant a starburst appearance. Because this is a succulent, it grows best in an open terrarium where it can be cozy, but not contend with excessive humidity. 

Use a gritty, fast-draining soil mix like a cactus soil mixed with pumice or perlite. These do like some direct light, but it’s best if they receive it in the morning. Afternoon sun can burn the leaves. This pairs well with kalanchoe, as they have similar needs. It also blooms in the fall.

Lithiops

	botanical name Lithops spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1”-6”
	hardiness zones 10-11

Lithops are fun and quirky succulents that resemble rocks. They’re often nicknamed living rocks as a result. For most of the year, they consist of two thick leaves that are fused together into a pebble shape. In the fall, they produce bright yellow, daisylike flowers to brighten up your cozy terrarium. 

These are succulents and not fans of humidity, so they need a dry, open terrarium. Use a gritty, well-draining substrate, and pair this with other succulents. They go well with haworthia and kalanchoe. They also work well with air plants. 

Tillandsia

	botanical name Tillandsia spp.
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 1”-12”
	hardiness zones 9-11

Tillandsias are magical little plants that need little care and bring an airy vibe to your open terrarium. These need no soil; they are air plants and absorb moisture through their leaves. They perform best in humid air with good circulation. If your air is dry, mist these a few times a week to give them the moisture they need. 

Tillandsia will grow just about anywhere. You can place them on moss, driftwood, or in seashells. They love bright, indirect light or filtered light. Pair these with succulents that have similar needs for an extra textural accent. They also bloom in the fall, adding another element of color to cozy fall days. 

Dwarf Phalaenopsis

	botanical name Phalaenopsis spp.
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 6”-10”
	hardiness zones 10-12

Most orchids make good terrarium plants, but some are higher maintenance than others. Dwarf Phalaenopsis orchids are sturdy and compact, and perform beautifully in this type of environment. They will appreciate the cozy shelter and steady humidity of your container. 

Because they like high humidity and good airflow, an open or semi-open terrarium is best for your orchid. This species likes mostly indirect light, and direct sun can scorch the large, waxy leaves. Many are fall bloomers, which makes this a great season to bring one into the home.