An interesting 'fern style' plant closely related to the vegetable asparagus. Supplied in a 12cm pot.

Phrases like 'Terrascaping', 'Bio-Active' and 'Living Terrariums' are becoming more and more common in the world of reptile and amphibian care, as keepers become more aware of the benefits of creating a living ecosystem for their pets.

Apart from the aesthetic appeal of a planted terrarium there are some very real, tangible benefits for the animals. Living plants provide natural cover and climbing perches, shade, basking sites and maintain natural humidity. Just as live plants in an office can improve workers well-being, live plants in a terrarium will have the same effect for animals.

But not all plants are suitable for terrarium use and it is important to not only choose the correct plants for the environment but also to select species or varieties that do not grow too large. Many houseplants for sale appear suitable when they are small specimens in a garden centre, but given time they may end up as giants that overwhelm a terrarium.

ProRep are delighted to introduce a comprehensive range of live plants. These are not just small houseplants but are a selected range of species that are ideally suited to the terrarium, including some of the more unusual or rare types. They have carefully selected the range so that there are plants to suit all habitats and growth patterns. There are succulents for arid environments, bromeliads, ground cover plants and epiphytes for jungle setups as well as aquatic plants and mosses.

Whatever the environment you're trying to re-create, you will be able to use live plants to suit.

Asplenium antiquum

Birds Nest Fern is an epiphyte which looks stunning when planted high up in the terrarium in a pocket of soil in rocks or a fork in a branch. It can also be tied to a branch with moss around its roots to hold soil. If planted in soil then it needs a rich soil which will hold moisture but does not waterlog. This fern dislikes hard water and alkaline conditions. Although it starts small it can eventually reach 30cm in height so be sure to allow plenty of growing space.

A beautiful-Phlebodium aureum supplied in a 5cm Pot.

The Antenna Fern has 2 distinct types of leaves. First low growing, lobed leaves form a tight clump before long arching feather leaves emerge above them. If you want to grow this species then provide a moist, rich soil that does not dry out. These ferns dislike bright hot light and are easily scorched so they must be positioned carefully to look their best.

Stags Horn Ferns are unusual epiphytic ferns that grow on trees of rocks using modified leaves as an anchor. They like bright light, but not direct hot light from spot lamps which will dry the leaves and cause them to go brown. They must have high humidity and love frequent misting. They thrive in tanks that have automatic spray systems.