Bio-Active Terrariums | Carnivorous & Tropical Plants

Authored by Jeremy Kosonic

Bio-Active Terrarium Plant Species | Carnivorous & Tropical Plants

Carnivorous plants include any plant that captures and “consumes” insects for nutrients. These plants are found around the world, mostly in nutrient-poor bogs and wetlands.

Carnivorous Plants

Cephalotus follicularis

Cephalotus:

Native to Australia, These carnivorous plants are hard enough to grow in near-perfect conditions as it is. Add to that the fact, it doesn’t like being constantly soaked, or water sitting in its crown, these are best left out of tanks.

Dionaea:

Often sold as a novelty plant, Venus Flytraps are in no way suitable for vivaria. In order to do well, VFT’s need to be cooled yearly, need far more light than what is used on tanks, and larger specimens could easily eat small inhabitants such as hatchling anolis (which I have seen). Another plant best left for pot culture.

Drosera:

With over 150 species, (Drosera) are found in many parts of the world. The temperate species likely won’t do well in tanks, however some of the tropical species may do well as long as they won’t get trampled, and the inhabitants aren’t small or weak enough to be trapped.

Heliamphora:

Another unsuitable plant for tanks. They prefer extremely bright light, loose soil, and temperatures in the 55-65°F range.

Nepenthes singalana

Nepenthes:

These are one of the more suitable carnivorous plants for vivaria. They tend to do well as long as they have air movement around its roots (Loose soil or mounted). The only drawbacks for (Nepenthes), is that even the smaller species can reach large sizes and outgrow most vivariums. Although not likely unless the pitchers have reached a significant size, there is also a risk of smaller inhabitants falling into the pitchers and becoming trapped. (N. ampullaria and N. alata) are two species that would do well in tanks.

Pinguicula (or “Pings” for short):

Although the temperate species won’t do well long-term, the Mexican species such as (P. gigantea and P. mirandae) would do very well in tanks if placed somewhere with lots of light, airflow, and in a place where it won’t get trampled. Mexican Pinguicula have two growing “phases”; a summer carnivorous phase, and a winter succulent phase. The winter phase is triggered by a decrease in water and daylight. Since most people tend to keep the light periods the same throughout the year, most will likely stay in the summer, carnivorous phase. Unlike most carnivorous plants, Mexican Pings prefer slightly alkaline conditions, often being found on limestone in the wild.

Sarracenia:

Much like the Dionaea, (Sarracenia spp.) need a dormancy period to do well. Coupled with the fact that they also need extremely bright lighting (full sun being ideal), most species tend to grow too big for most enclosures anyways.

Utricularia:
Easily my favourite genus of carnivorous plants, most species of (Utricularia) would do quite well in tropical vivariums. With terrestrial species such as (U. sandersonii and U. calycifida), planting them in moss, or along the edge of water features assures that they get the moisture they need. Aquatic species can be used, as long as they are kept under control. Make sure they are in a place where they cannot get easily trampled by large animals.
_{This plant is now an editors favorite because how can you not love a carnivorous plant named (U. cthulhu)}

Tropical/Rainforest Plants

Begonia:
A large genus of plants, (Begonia spp.) are found all over the world in almost every habitat; from terrestrial, to lithophyte, to epiphyte, and everything in between. The most common Begonia found in nurseries and grocery stores tend to be the “Rex” Begonias. These don’t do quite as well as the smaller species such as (Begonia bowerae). The most suitable species are those found deep in the forest, and tend to do better if introduced as cuttings. Species/cultivars that do well include: (B. bowerae, B. thelmae, B. prismatocarpa, and Begonia sp. Lita.)

(Peperomia sp.) Radiator Plant:

A truly large genus of plants, Peperomia are almost exclusively a New World genus, with the exception of a few African species. They are vines, epiphytes, lithophytes, chasmophytes, and some are even found in arid regions with very little water. Just like begonias, (Peperomia spp.) tend to do better when introduced as cuttings, allowing them to establish quickly. There are a plethora of species that do well in terrariums including (P. prostrata, P. caperata, P. verschaffeltii, P. argyreia, P. obtusifolia, P. clusifolia, P. rotundifolia, P. scandens, and a personal favourite, P. orba.)

Gesneriads:

Gesneriads include a large number of plants, includes all growing types, and are found all over the world. Genera found in this family include (Columnea spp., Codonanthe spp., Aeschynanthus spp., Nematanthus spp., and Episcia spp.) Species that do well in this family of plants include (Columnea arguta, C. gloriosa, C. microphylla, C. hirta, Codonanthe crassifolia, Aeschynanthus marmoratus, A. lobbianus, Nematanthus gregarius, Episcia cupreata, and E. dianthiflora.)

Ferns

Ferns are an enormous family of plants and include plants the size of a dime, to ferns several feet across and many metres high. Some ferns may appear to die off initially when first introduced to the enclosure; do not fret. This is simply the fern acclimating, and it will likely regrow new fronds shortly. There are hundreds of ferns to choose from, with the more popular being (Asplenium nidus, Pyrrosia spp., Microgramma spp., Hemionitis arifolia, Polystichum spp., Davallia spp., Pteris spp., Didymochlaena truncatula, Selaginella martensii, S. apoda, Selaginella sp. Saposoa , Adiantum raddianum, A. hispidulum, and A. tenerum.)

Aroids

Aroids are a massive group of plants, and include everything from aquatic species to epiphytes. Probably the most commonly used plants, most of the commercially available aroids are nearly bulletproof, being good options for the worst of green thumbs. The most popular aroid by far is (Epipremnum aureum), also known as Pothos (not to be confused with true Pothos spp. from Australia and Southeast Asia). This species can go from a single node cutting, to taking over and filling the terrarium in just a few months. It’s nearly bulletproof and will grow virtually anywhere as long as it has access to water. Other suitable Aroids include (Scindapsus aureus, Scindapsus pictus, Philodendron ‘wend-imbe’, Philodendron sp. Peru, Alocasia sanderiana, Alocasia ‘Black Velvet’, Alocasia ‘Polly’, and Syngonium rayii.)

Orchids

With well over 25,000 species, orchids are found on almost every continent on earth. Vines, bushes, terrestrial, epiphytic — orchids are found in all shapes and sizes. With so many species, it will take way too long to go through them all here, so I will only go over a few of the more suitable orchids.

My favourite group of orchids, and one of (in my opinion) the best groups for vivaria is the New World group Pleurothallids. This includes (Pleurothallis, Lepanthes, Restrepia, and Masdevallia). They grow best when mounted, and given lots of humidity and airflow. Most are plenty small enough for vivariums, with (Pleurothalis spp. and Restrepia spp). doing the best for me in tanks.
Bulbophyllum is another group of suitable orchids that stay small. This Asian and Madagascan genus of orchids is widely cultivated, and readily available. An example of a suitable species is Bulbophyllum falcatum. Doing best when mounted, some species flower almost constantly.
Jewel orchids, being found in many temperate & tropical places on earth are another suitable group of orchids, with the most suitable being (Ludisia spp. and Macodes spp.). Unlike the Pleurothallids and Bulbophyllum which should be mounted, (Ludisia spp. and Macodes spp.) are leaf litter dwellers, meaning they should be planted among the leaf litter in the tank, or in an easily draining substrate.

Jungle Cactus

Jungle cactus (of the genera Rhipsalis, Schlumbergera, Rhipsalidopsis, Zygocactus, etc. ) make great additions to any South American or Caribbean vivarium. With a wide range of species, these mostly epiphytic plants do best when mounted. While they are almost strictly New World, one species, Rhipsalis baccifera is not only found throughout tropical America— it’s also found from Africa to Sri Lanka, and is the only cactus naturally found outside the New World.

Miscellaneous tropicals

Ficus (benjamina, ali, elastica, and pumila) Ficus pumila specifically is nearly a bullet-proof plant given the right conditions. As long as it has plenty of light and high humidity, this plant can quickly take over a tank, sometimes faster than Pothos. Schefflera arboricola are also commonly used trees for chameleons, small Uroplatus spp., and thin arboreal snakes. These trees can be used in vivs, however they will need to be heavily trimmed or completely replaced every year or two, as they outgrow the tank relatively quickly. After all, they are trees!

(Calathea spp., Ctenanthe spp., & Maranta spp.) are three similar genera who all do very well in tropical enclosures. They establish root systems incredibly fast in my experience, helping to stabilize the soil. The smaller species such as (C. musaica, C. undulata , Ctenanthe burle-marxii, M. leuconeura, and M. bicolor) are often the best choices, though I have had great luck with the slightly bigger species, such as (C. orbifolia, C. zebrina, C. sanderiana, C. crocata, C. albertii, and Calathea ‘Medallion’.) These are plants I have in almost all of my New World tropical tanks, not only because they look amazing, but the quick-growing roots stabilizing the soil is a huge benefit; especially with burrowing species.

(Hoya spp. & Dischidia spp.) are two Asian genera that both do well in tanks when mounted, allowed air flow and kept humid (but not wet). These can be introduced as cuttings or bare root plants, and do better when mounted up high, and allowed to drape down. Suitable species include (D. ovata, H. carnosa, H. shepherdi, and H. longifolia.)