Terrarium Plants in Paludariums: A Guide to Creating a Living Jungle Aquarium

Terrariums and aquascaping are two sides of the same coin—both bring nature indoors, using plants, rocks, and wood to create miniature landscapes. But when you combine the two, you enter the world of the paludarium: a hybrid environment that blends underwater aquascaping with lush terrarium planting above the waterline.

Imagine fish and shrimp swimming beneath the surface while ferns, mosses, and grasses spill over rocks and wood above—a living slice of jungle contained within an aquarium. Paludariums don’t just look incredible; they also give hobbyists a new way to repurpose aquariums and experiment with plant species not usually seen underwater.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best terrarium plants for paludariums, how to grow them successfully at the waterline, and step-by-step methods for attaching and maintaining them. Whether you’re brand new to aquascaping or already a terrarium enthusiast, you’ll learn how to combine the two worlds into a thriving living ecosystem.

Watch the build video for this ADA / DOOA Mizukusa here

Best Terrarium Plants for Paludariums

Here are some versatile terrarium plants that adapt beautifully to paludarium conditions:

Lemon Button Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii’)

Compact and beginner-friendly, this fern produces small round fronds with a fresh lemon scent when crushed. Its small size makes it perfect for nano setups and upper ledges in paludariums.

Fluffy Ruffles Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Fluffy Ruffles’)

This ruffled fern grows in upright tufts, adding texture and height above the waterline. It thrives in high humidity and looks striking against wood or rock backgrounds.

Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum)

Known for its silver and purple fronds, this fern brings colour contrast into otherwise green-heavy setups. It loves shaded, moist environments, making it a great choice for the mid-section of a paludarium.

Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)

Though often sold as an aquarium plant, Mondo Grass does best emersed in paludarium setups. Its grassy leaves add a striking architectural element at the waterline.

Creeping Oak Leaf (Lomariopsis lineata)

Creeping Oak Leaf is a versatile  terrarium plant that forms lush, trailing mats over wood or rock.

Terrestrial Mosses & Spike Moss (Selaginella spp.)

These mosses thrive in damp, humid environments. Perfect for attaching to rock and wood near the waterline, they spread across hardscape and create a soft, jungle-like look.

Peacock / Blue Moss

Shimmering with a subtle blue-green iridescence, this moss loves humid conditions and is excellent for shaded, misted areas. It pairs well with driftwood and natural stone.

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Growing Moss in a Paludarium

Moss is one of the most versatile and rewarding plants you can grow in a paludarium. Its vibrant green texture creates a natural, forest-like feel, softens hardscape edges, and adds depth to any terrarium or aquatic setup. Beyond aesthetics, moss supports a healthier ecosystem by providing hiding spots for small invertebrates, helping retain humidity, and even stabilizing microclimates within your paludarium.

Choosing the Best Moss for Your Paludarium

Not all moss species thrive in the same conditions, so it’s important to select paludarium-friendly moss suited to your setup. Popular choices include Java moss, Christmas moss, Flame moss, and cushion moss. Some varieties prefer fully submerged or semi-aquatic conditions, while others grow best on land or humid surfaces. Choosing the right species ensures strong growth and a lush, green appearance.

Ideal Conditions for Moss Growth

Moss flourishes in high humidity, moderate light, and stable conditions. In a paludarium, this often means placing moss on rocks, driftwood, or shaded areas near water features. While moss doesn’t require intense lighting, a moderate LED or paludarium-specific light is ideal. Avoid dry spots, as moss relies entirely on surface moisture rather than roots.

Good air circulation is also important. Too little airflow can cause mold or algae to develop, while too much can dry out delicate moss. Keeping humidity consistently high, especially around semi-terrestrial areas, is key to long-term success.

How to Plant and Attach Moss

The easiest way to establish moss in a paludarium is to attach it to hard surfaces. Use aquarium-safe glue, cotton thread, or fishing line to secure clumps to driftwood, rocks, or backgrounds. Over time, moss will naturally anchor itself and spread, creating a lush green carpet. For humid land areas, moss can also be gently pressed onto soil or substrate where it will gradually take root.

Maintaining Moss in a Paludarium

Caring for moss is simple but requires attention to detail. Regularly trim overgrown patches to encourage dense growth, and mist the enclosure if humidity drops. Remove any decaying sections to prevent rot, and watch for algae, which can sometimes compete with moss in bright or overly wet conditions.

Benefits of Moss in Paludariums

Moss isn’t just decorative — it plays a practical role in your paludarium ecosystem. It helps retain moisture, provides shelter for tiny invertebrates (under the water), and contributes to nutrient cycling. Whether you’re building a fully aquatic paludarium or a semi-terrestrial setup, moss creates a natural, cohesive environment that supports plant and animal life alike.

Adding moss to your paludarium is a simple way to elevate both the beauty and functionality of your setup. With the right species, proper humidity, and minimal maintenance, moss can transform any paludarium into a thriving, lush micro-ecosystem. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced aquascaper, moss is a must-have for creating a realistic, vibrant terrarium or paludarium display.

Growing Terrarium Plants at the Waterline

Paludariums allow you to grow terrestrial plants in creative ways—roots in constant moisture, foliage in high humidity. There are three main methods hobbyists use to grow ferns and mosses at the waterline:

1. Hydroponic Growth

Hydroponic growth is one of the simplest methods. The plant’s roots are placed directly in water, while the leaves remain above the surface. This works particularly well for hardy ferns and grasses like Lemon Button Fern and Mondo Grass.

How to do it:

1. Position the plant so its crown and leaves stay above water.

2. Place the roots in shallow flowing or still water.

3. Anchor with stones,cotton or some glue to prevent floating.

4. Ensure good airflow and humidity above the waterline.

Benefits: No soil needed, easy to maintain, roots help filter aquarium water naturally.
Watch out for: Rotting crowns if submerged too deeply.

2. Sphagnum Moss Wraps

Some plants prefer more structure than bare roots. Wrapping roots in sphagnum moss provides stability, holds moisture, and mimics the damp forest floor environment.

How to do it:

1. Take a handful of moistened sphagnum moss.

2. Wrap it around the plant’s roots with cotton.

3. Secure gently with fishing line, cotton thread, or a plant-safe tie or wedge it in

4. Place the wrapped roots against wood, rock, or ledges at the waterline.

Benefits: Keeps roots moist without submerging them; moss looks natural in the setup.
Watch out for: Sphagnum drying out—regular misting is key.

3. Attaching Plants to Hardscape

Just like attaching Java Fern or Anubias underwater, many terrarium plants can be tied to wood, rocks, or cork bark above the waterline. Over time, their roots will naturally grip and spread.

How to do it:

1. Choose a planting spot with high humidity (close to mist or splash zones).

2. Place roots directly against the surface of driftwood or stone.

3. Secure lightly with thread or cable ties until roots anchor themselves.

4. Mist regularly to keep roots from drying out.

Benefits: Seamless natural look; plants eventually anchor on their own.
Watch out for: Choosing spots too far from moisture—roots need constant dampness.

Steps for Building a Paludarium

Choose Your Aquarium

A standard glass aquarium works perfectly. Popular sizes range from 60cm for beginners to larger display tanks for ambitious builds, larger tanks are generally easier to work with as it provides plenty of space for larger hardscape pieces which act as a great base to grow plants on.

Plan the Hardscape Layout

Use rocks and driftwood to create elevation above the waterline, drawing where you want your waterline with a marker on the tank helps you visualise the hardscape more and where things will sit. Use large rocks on the base to create height for the wood to sit on, this will be your structure for plants to grow on.

Create ledges, terraces and crevices where ferns and mosses can grow, the more interesting the pieces of wood, the more areas you will have for creating planting pockets.

Use bold pieces of wood such as mangrove wood, cork bark, driftwood, horn wood or corbo catfish root, these create a better planting area. 

Divide Land & Water

• Substrate (sand, gravel or aquasoil if needed for stems) and aquatics plants go below the waterline.

• Mosses, ferns and other high humidity terrarium/jungle plants are planted on wood, rocks, or ledges above.
  

• Consider marginal growth, this is the waterline where the hardscape meets the water, Bolbitis heteroclita difformis does well here, as do Mosses, Anubias and Bucephalandra species

Underwater, plants in a paludarium can be treated much like those in a standard aquarium. Most of the species you’ll use are either shade-loving or hardy epiphytes, so aquasoil isn’t usually necessary. That said, adding lava rock, sand, or gravel can help fill gaps, create structure, or prevent fish from entering certain areas of your scape. This gives you more control over your layout while keeping the focus on both aquatic and terrestrial elements.

Add Water Filtration & Flow

A filter ensures clean water for fish while keeping roots oxygenated. Splash zones from flow outlets are perfect for moss growth.

Both external in internal filters can be used, it depends on your layout and what will fit as to which is the better option. Flexible filter hosing can be used to guide water into specific areas of your scape. Allowing water to cascade naturally down driftwood or rock not only benefits plants but also adds a dynamic, waterfall-like effect to your paludarium.

Lighting & Humidity

• Use a full-spectrum LED light for both aquatic and terrestrial plants.

• Maintain high humidity with regular misting or an automated spray system.

Blending terrarium plants into aquascaping through a paludarium is a creative way to transform an ordinary aquarium into a thriving slice of the jungle. Ferns like Lemon Button, Fluffy Ruffles, and Painted Ferns, combined with mosses and grasses, bring vibrant life above the waterline while aquatic plants flourish below.

By using methods like hydroponic growth, sphagnum moss wraps, and hardscape attachment, beginners can easily establish healthy terrestrial plants in a humid paludarium environment. The result is a living, dynamic ecosystem—half aquarium, half terrarium—that’s as exciting to build as it is to admire.

So, whether you’re repurposing an old aquarium or looking for a new challenge, a paludarium offers the perfect opportunity to let aquascaping and terrarium design meet, creating a miniature jungle right in your living room.

Watch the build video for this 120cm Paludarium: