10 Most Popular Yellow Terrarium Plants

Do you ever feel like your terrarium is very, well, green? Yellow terrarium plants act as little rays of sunshine to break up that monotony while bringing some brightness to your little world. This list of the ten most popular yellow terrarium plants is sure to provide you with at least one option for spicing up your self-sustaining ecosystem.

10 Terrarium Plants That Are Yellow

Do you want more posts about different colored terrarium plants? Comment which colors you’d like to see written about below! Do note that there’s already a guide about purple terrarium plants.

Aeonium Kiwi

The succulent Aeonium Kiwi (Aeonium haworthii ‘kiwi’) has bursts of green and yellow rosettes. When grown in bright light, the rosettes have light pink edges. You can also place them in partial shade so long as you make sure you rotate the terrarium frequently so it gets an even amount of sunlight.

Kiwis add a sense of vibrancy and excitement because of their unique shape. In addition, they bloom yellow blossoms that provide a rich, bright color to your indoor garden.

As with all types of plants, you can propagate Kiwis via seeds if they’ve completed their life cycle. If not, then you can use cuttings or offsets to make new plants.

Air Plants

Air plants come in a wide array of color choices. Though it’s the ones with the yellow edges, like Tillandsia ionantha ‘Druid,’ that are truly best suited for those looking for yellow terrarium plants.

These easy-going plants are what’s known as Epiphytes because they don’t need soil to grow. Hardy and vigorous, air plants absorb the moisture they need from the air.

They do, however, require bright and direct light so pair them with plants with similar requirements. Perhaps the biggest pro of air plants in terrariums is that their year-round growth rate is pretty slow. If you’re particularly keen on these plants, give our Guide to Air Plant Terrarium Kits a read.

Golden Pothos

The Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is perfect for beginners, as well as those who enjoy low-key gardening. It’s known for its heart-shaped, glossy leaves that come in an assortment of yellows and greens.

Pothos thrive in areas with high moisture levels. They prefer indirect light, but can also handle more shaded areas.

They will need regular pruning because they tend to grow quickly, especially in the summer. While having to prune frequently is a bummer you can use any cuttings to make new plants.

Sedum Makinoi ‘Ogon’

When you come across a stonecrop succulent, it can appear fragile and dainty. In reality, stonecrops are some of the hardiest plants you’ll come across. The Golden Japanese Stonecrop (Sedum makinoi) is a great example.

This perennial has a vivid mass of golden yellow foliage, which becomes more striking when the conditions are right. It does well in both full sunlight and partial shade.

Sedums, including Sedum makinoi, generally don’t require much water. You should only include Sedum makinoi in terrariums with plants that also require minimal water as over-saturating this plant’s roots is likely to lead to root rot.

Oncidium Orchid

Orchids have exquisite and lively flowers. Some of the most aesthetically pleasing yellow terrarium plants that you can add to your little garden are Oncidium orchids.

When in full bloom, the bright flowers will light up the whole terrarium since they hang high on their stems and as a result exist as a sort of canopy above the rest of your terrarium plants. Bear in mind, though, that Oncidium orchids will bloom more vigorously when the light is diffused or indirect.

If the terrarium is in direct light, then make sure to rotate it frequently. This helps ensure that the Oncidium gets as much partial sunlight as possible. Orchids are notoriously tricky to grow so beginners be wary.

Peperomia Variegated

The Peperomia Variegated (Peperomia caperata) is a low-maintenance, no-frills plant. It features thick, yellowish-brown stems with medium-sized leaves. The leaves are variegated with dark green in the middle and a pale shade of yellow on the edges.

These slow-growing perennials bloom in the summer, producing small white or brown flowers. Adult peperomias can grow as tall as 12 inches and have leaves that just as wide. Because of the potential size of the Peperomia caperata they are best for larger terrariums.

Peperomias prefer well-draining, moist soil and should be grown with other plants that prefer the same. They also like being in filtered or indirect light to maintain their lively colors.

Prickly Pear Flowering Cactus

Cacti add a nice touch to the terrarium, and the Prickly Pear (Opuntia) is no exception. The best part about this cactus is its yellow flower.

Not only is the flower vibrant and lively, but it also produces a beautiful scent. The unique and fruity fragrance is a combination of aloe and melon. Consider growing this Opuntia in an unsealed terrarium so that you can enjoy its fragrance!

Prickly pear is a desert cactus, so it does not like consistent high humidity or overwatering. It doesn’t enjoy extreme drought either but underwatering is preferred to over-watering. Consider pairing this Opuntia with the Sedum above as they require similar care.

Spider Plant

Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) sound spookier than they really are. They’re actually quite lovely with their long, yellow leaves with dark green edges. My parents have a total of eight around the house!

Adult spider plants are considered too big for many terrariums. Instead, we use the baby shoots produced by the mother plant. To do the same, all you have to do is cut off the shoot and place it directly in the terrarium to propagate.

Bear in mind that spider plants are fast growers. This means you’ll need to repot them outside the terrarium after about six months. Then, repeat the process with a new baby shoot. This process means that you’ll end up with a nearly never-ending supply of spider plants around your house!

Spoon-Leafed Sundew

The spoon-leafed sundew (Drosera intermedia) is one of the most aggressive carnivorous plants. It has leaves covered with small, antenna-like feelers known as trichomes. If your soil is nutritious enough then you won’t need to feed your Drosera intermedia. If your soil lacks nutrients, though, you’ll need to provide it with bugs. Your plant can handle the rest.

The tiny tentacles on its offshoots secrete a sticky, sweet substance – or dew – to attract its prey. The dew also helps with the plant’s digestion process.

Sundew plants are low-maintenance and easily fit into any terrarium. They tend to grow quickly in bright, direct sun and moist soil. As with almost all terrarium plants, make sure you use distilled water or clean rainwater as opposed to hard water. The former contains lower amounts of minerals and salts.

Yellow Orbea

The yellow orbea (Orbea semota var. lutea) is a succulent that blooms brightly colored yellow flowers with tiny hair fringes. The orbea’s striking design and rich color add excitement and life to any terrarium.

Moreover, caring for it is simple and hassle-free. Its ideal lighting conditions range from direct to filtered light.

Before watering, make sure the soil is completely dry. You can use a blend of sand, perlite, and peat to prevent overwatering. Consider growing this Orbea with the Opuntia and Sedum discussed above.

Want Cooler Terrarium Plants?

Yellow terrarium plants tend to be interesting enough, but if you’re looking for even more intriguing options then choose any posts from the list below:

• How to Create a Terrarium for Carnivorous Plants
• 5 Exotic Terrarium Plants Everyone Will Be Envious Of
• 10 Easiest Edible Terrarium Plants to Grow

As you can see, terrariums aren’t limited to an all-green aesthetic – the right yellow terrarium plants can bring the perfect splash of color!

The best part is that they’re reasonably simple to care for. If you’re looking for the simplest collection of yellow terrarium plants to add to your self-sustaining ecosystem, then go with the Orbea, Opuntia, and Sedum. They’re so easy to care for and they’re guaranteed to provide the yellow look for which you’re looking!