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.

Vriesea saundersii

Vrieseas are epiphytic bromeliads with an interesting leaf shape and pattern, ideally suited to use in forest set ups. They can be grown attached to rocks or branches, or in a well drained soil. Planting these plants in waterlogged conditions will cause them to quickly rot as their roots are used for attachment rather than collecting water or nutrients. Easily scorched by hot lights they need a fairly bright position, but out of direct light. They will also tolerate light shade. Most of the water and nutrients these plants require are absorbed by the leaves in the centre of the leaf whorl, where it forms a natural bowl. This central cup needs to be kept filled with water, which will happen naturally with spray systems. The occasional dead insect or frog dropping will decompose to provide nutrients, or you can use a weak foliar fertilizer. A mature plant will produce a stunning bright red flower stem (which is where they get their name "fire") after which it will produce young plants, called pups, at the base and then the parent plant will die.