Viv Plants for Humid Setups

Here are some of the plants we recommend if you're setting up a vivarium with high humidity! The plants you choose will largely come down to size/durability (will the inhabitant break/trample them?) and safety (could the plants be a danger to the inhabitant?). Always double check the toxicology of plants you plan to add, to be sure they're safe in the context you plan to use them.

In general, it's extra important to provide quality full spectrum lighting when adding plants to your setup. Not enough light is one of the main reasons plants fail to thrive - although overwatering, poorly suited substrate, etc. also contribute.

Generally considered safe, even for leaf-nibblers:

Pileas

Pilea depressa, Pilea glauca, Pilea microphylla, Pilea peperomioides, etc.

Pellionias

Pellionia repens, Pellionia pulchra

Peperomias

Peperomia prostrata (String of Turtles), Peperomia 'Ruby Cascade,' Peperomia 'Frost,' etc.

Spider Plants

Chlorophytum comosum

Bromeliaceae Family

Bromeliads, Airplants

Marantaceae Family

Marantas, Calatheas, Ctenanthes, Stromanthes, Goeppertias, etc.

Common names include prayer plants / rattlesnake plants

Acanthaceae Family

Strobilanthes, Hypoestes, Fittonias, etc.

Common names include Dragon's Tongue, Nerve Plant, Waffle Plant, Polka Dot Plant, Persian Shield, Zebra Plant, etc.

Also popular, but check toxicology:

Most of these are generally safe in vivaria, but can cause irritation/GI upset if chewed on or eaten.

Spiderworts (Commelinaceae family)

Tradescantias, Callisias, Cyanotis, Geogenanthus, etc.

Pothos (Epipremnum)

Epipremnum aureum, Epipremnum pinnatum, etc.

Scindapsus

Scindapsus pictus, Scindapsus treubii, etc.

Syngoniums

Syngonium podophyllum, Syngonium erythrophyllum, Syngonium wendlandii, etc.

Ficus

Ficus pumila, Ficus pumila 'Quercifolia'

Philodendrons

Philodendron...

Dracaenas

Ferns

Begonias

ZZ Plants

False Aralias

Marcgravias