Saturday, January 14, 2012

What plants can be planted with African violets in a terrarium from this list?

Heart-leaved philodendron

Irish moss

Maidenhair fern

Miniature peperomia

Tahitian Bridal Veil

Parlor palm

Nerve plant

Partridge berry

Podocarpus

Prayer plant

Rattlesnake plantain

Spider plant

Strawberry begonia

Wintergreen

Aluminum plant

Artillery plant

Baby tears

Club moss

Creeping fig

Dwarf natal plum

Emerald ripple peperomia

English ivy

Flame violet

Creeping Charlie

Earth star

Miniature Begonia rex

Golden pothos

Button fern

What plants can be planted with African violets in a terrarium from this list?
How big is the terrarium? A Spider plant, for example, does much better if grown in a hanging basket so the shoots have room to sprout and grow downward. Baby Tears (a quick spreader) can be grown outdoors in the flower bed as ground cover but a small amount in a terrarium is pretty. African Violets like moist, well draining soil but not all the plants on your list like the same growing conditions. Creeping Fig ( a climber) likes moist, well draining soil, too, but it does best if the soil is allowed to dry to the touch before watering again, and it likes to grow up a wall or on a small trellis at an astounding pace, I might add.

Bird Nest Sansevieria is not usually grown in a terrarium because it generally likes low to normal watering conditions for a houseplant. The 35 y/o Sansevieria that I have can go long periods without much water at all. The plus side is that it's a slooow grower. Philodendron, English Ivy, and Golden Pothos are fast growers and will soon take over your fish bowl terrarium.

P.S.--If you've got the time, it might be best to look for a brief description on the web of each of these plants. Like these two, for example, Aluminum and Artillery:

Aluminum and Artillery plants grow well in a home environment, but the dwarf aluminum plant makes the best houseplant. The aluminum plant has unusual silver markings on the raised portions of its deep-green leaves, while the artillery plant is fine textured and has bright green leaves.



These plants grow in most potting soils suitable for houseplants, as long as the soil is well-drained. For good plant growth, keep the soil evenly moist, and water only when the soil surface appears dry. For the greatest success, check your plants daily and water only when necessary. If the soil feels dry, apply enough water so that some drips from the base of the container, then remove excess water from the saucer.

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1302.h...
Reply:Is this a closed terrarium? I'm curious because many of the plants you've listed will quickly outgrow the bounds of a fishbowl, and overtake the African violet! Also, if it is closed, terrariums tend to be very humid growing environments - which is great - African violets love humidity - however, if there are concentrations of water droplets on the side of the bowl, and then they drip onto the leaves of the violet - it will cause water damage, and may eventually lead to rot. I would recommend placing the African violet far enough away from the side of the bowl, so it does not touch the glass...arrange some interesting stones/shells/etc?? and then choose a very small creeping plant, such as Baby's tears, a very small fern or some moss to fill in some of the other areas on the surface of the soil. Good luck! I hope this is helpful!


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