Springtails in terrariums: a beginner guide
Springtails are tiny moisture-loving arthropods commonly used as a terrarium clean-up crew. They feed mainly on fungi and decaying organic material and are generally harmless to people and animals.
What they can do
In a suitable humid enclosure, springtails help process mould and soft decaying plant material. They are one part of terrarium maintenance, not a substitute for correct watering, ventilation and removing badly rotted material.
Add them to a terrarium
Follow the instructions supplied with the culture. Add a modest portion to moist substrate, concentrating around leaf litter, wood or another humid refuge. Close the enclosure or maintain the humidity appropriate for the terrarium's plants.
Keep the habitat suitable
- Maintain moisture without flooding the substrate.
- Keep the enclosure out of direct sun and extreme temperatures.
- Leave some organic material for the population to use, but remove large pieces of rot.
- Avoid pesticides or household cleaners inside the terrarium.
If you see many springtails
A visible population often reflects abundant moisture and food. Check for overwatering, decaying roots or hidden mould. In an ordinary houseplant pot where springtails are unwanted, allowing the surface to dry more between waterings usually reduces them.
If the population disappears
The enclosure may have dried out, overheated or run short of suitable habitat. Correct the conditions before adding another culture.
See springtails and terrarium supplies or read the rainforest terrarium guide.
Do springtails eat healthy terrarium plants?
Springtails mainly consume fungi, algae and decaying organic material. A large population is more often a sign of abundant moisture and food than the cause of damage to healthy plant tissue.
Can springtails get out of a terrarium and infest a home?
They may occasionally leave a very wet enclosure, but indoor populations usually decline where conditions are dry. Correct excessive moisture and remove decaying material rather than relying only on repeated treatments.