Spathiphyllum wallisii is known widely by its common name of Peace Lily. This is such a charming name and very fitting, as the flowers appear like a white flag for peace or a candle of hope. In Europe, Spathiphyllum wallisii is often grown as a houseplant. This versatile species originates from Colombia and Central America. In Spathiphyllum wallisii plants’ natural environment, this species’ flowers are very popular with butterflies.
Fittonia albivenis (Verschaffeltii Group) ‘Red Angel’ (PBR) is also known by its common name of nerve plant, due to this Fittonia’s brightly coloured leaf veining.
Fittonias are excellent terrarium plants, but you could also try growing Fittonia albivenis (Verschaffeltii Group) ‘Red Angel’ as a houseplant in a warm and steamy bathroom. Ensure you choose a location away from harsh, direct light or your plant will suffer.
Psygmorchis pusilla is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species, which can be found growing in humid forests in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Peru, Venezuela, and other exotic locations, where the plant colonises the outer branches of trees.
Psygmorchis pusilla is a delightful, fan shaped, miniature orchid species, which has an attractive appearance even when it’s not in flower. This orchid produces very large, predominantly yellow inflorescences, which have red-maroon markings.
This Adiantum is a species of miniature fern, which originates from Colombia, where this fern grows terrestrially – in the soil, and also as an epiphyte – on the branches of trees.
This miniature fern grows well in soft, diffused light, in temperatures from 15 – 25C (59 – 77F). This fern is a great choice of fern for a terrarium, vivarium, or bottle garden, as its diminutive size means that this fern won’t become too tall for its enclosure.
This fern, a species of Nephrolepis, was very kindly given to me by a friend. This Nephrolepis fern is both epiphytic and terrestrial – it will grow well if mounted onto cork or other tree bark, and the same fern will also grow well if planted in moist, well-drained terrarium compost. I have found that this particular Nephrolepis fern thrives when it’s grown in a situation that enjoys indirect, filtered light; keep plants well away from harsh or bright light, which may scorch this fern’s leaves.
Platystele examen-culicum is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species, which originates from Colombia and Ecuador.
Platystele examen-culicum grows well in a humid environment, with filtered light, and cool to intermediate temperatures.
Platystele examen-culicum produces such tiny, minute flowers, which are not easy to view without a macro camera! You can see this Platystele examen-culicum specimen in flower in my Orchidarium Update.
Restrepia citrina is a miniature orchid species. This epiphytic orchid species is endemic to Colombia, where this lovely orchid species grows in cloud forests. For successful growing, you need to replicate the conditions that this Restrepia experiences in its natural environment. Restrepia citrina flourishes in cool to intermediate temperatures, in a very humid atmosphere. This miniature orchid species thrives when grown under soft, filtered, diffused light.
Helianthus annuus, also known by their common name of sunflowers, are tall growing annuals with very large, round flower heads with brown centres and yellow outer petals, which are very attractive to bees and butterflies. The flower heads of Helianthus annuus turn to face the sun, they slowly turn as the sun moves throughout the day. Helianthus annuus grow best when planted in a very sunny spot.
Restrepia seketii is a miniature orchid species that originates from the cloud forests in North Colombia. A cool growing, epiphytic orchid species, Restrepia seketii is smaller than the other Restrepia species that are featured in my Miniature Orchid Trials.
To see photographs of Restrepia seketii in bloom, and discover how long this miniature orchid typically flowers for, please click here.
Restrepia trichoglossa is a species of miniature orchid which originates from cloud forests in Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. Naturally forming a tufted shape, this little Restrepia produces flowers in succession, throughout the year.
I find Restrepias to be tolerant of different temperatures, and light conditions, favouring cooler indoor temperatures of around 16 C – 20 C, and bright, indirect, filtered light.
Restrepia sanguinea is a miniature sized, cool growing, epiphytic orchid species, which originates from the cloud forests of Colombia.
This is one of the tallest miniature orchids that I have grown inside my BiOrbAir terrarium. Although this Restrepia species is always sold as a miniature orchid, this Restrepia species is too tall for most traditional bottle gardens – but these plants can be grown quite happily inside a tall clear vase.
Restrepia antennifera is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species, that can be found growing in cloud forests in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia.
Restrepia antennifera is an orchid species that naturally forms a tufted shape, it’s small in size and won’t take up much room inside your terrarium or orchidarium.
This Restrepia antennifera specimen is growing inside my BiOrbAir terrarium, you can see how well this miniature orchid is growing in my Long-term review of the BiOrbAir (part six).
The common name of Fittonia albivenis (Verschaffeltii Group) ‘Forest Flame’ (PBR) is the nerve plant because of the decorative veining that highlights this plant’s leaves.
Like other Fittonias, Fittonia albivenis (Verschaffeltii Group) ‘Forest Flame’ (PBR) has specific growing conditions; this tender plant is killed by frost and cold temperatures and must be grown in a warm room. In addition, Fittonia albivenis (Verschaffeltii Group) ‘Forest Flame’ requires high humidity, moist, but well-drained compost, and low to medium light levels to grow well.
The common name of Fittonia albivenis (Verschaffeltii Group) ‘White Anne’ is the nerve plant due to the almost netted, coloured veining that decorates this little plant’s leaves.
Fittonia albivenis (Verschaffeltii Group) ‘White Anne’ is the perfect plant to include in your bottle garden, terrarium, or vivarium. This is a great choice of plant if you’re looking to ‘lift’ the planting inside your terrarium.
Fittonia albivenis ‘Skeleton’ is often referred to as the nerve plant, due to the distinctive nerve-like veining that this plant’s leaves display.
Fittonia albivenis ‘Skeleton’ requires low to medium light levels and high humidity to flourish. These plants thrive when planted in a moist, but well-drained peat-free compost or growing medium. The absolute minimum night time, winter temperature I would recommend for this plant would be 13C (55F), but warmer temperatures would be preferable; ideally temperatures should not drop below 15C (59F).
The common name of plants from the Fittonia albivenis Argyroneura Group is the nerve plant, this name refers to the Fittonia’s leaves with their distinctive veining. Fittonias thrive when they’re grown in a terrarium, as these plants require low to medium light levels and high humidity to flourish. When you’re looking to place your plants, avoid bright and sunny window sills, or locations where your plants will receive direct sunlight.
Found in Venezuela and Colombia, Lepanthopsis astrophora ‘Stalky’ is an epiphytic, miniature orchid species that can be found growing in wet, mountainous forests and cloud forests.
Once Lepanthopsis astrophora ‘Stalky’ has grown to a mature size, this lovely miniature orchid blooms for periods of up to five months at a time, producing glistening, purple coloured, star shaped flowers en masse. You can see Lepanthopsis astrophora ‘Stalky’ in full bloom in this update here.
Dryadella simula is a cool growing, miniature epiphytic, orchid species that’s found growing in the lower regions of cloud forest in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. This orchid experiences natural variations during the seasons in its native environment, where it will experience dry seasons and drier periods. It will be interesting to see how well this miniature orchid grows in the constant conditions provided by the BiOrbAir terrarium.
