The Monkey Plant, or trailing velvet plant, has velvety olive leaves laced with silvery veins and flushed purple beneath, plus occasional rosy trumpet flowers, a lush, colourful trailer from Brazil.
Light
Bright, indirect (dappled) light suits it best; it tolerates some shade but keep it out of direct sun.
Water & humidity
Keep the humus-rich substrate evenly moist but never waterlogged, easing back in winter. It dislikes drying out completely.
In the terrarium
A good terrarium trailer that enjoys 60–70% humidity and warmth around 18–24 °C. Its spreading, trailing habit suits hanging over hardscape in a medium build; pinch it to keep it bushy.
Origin & temperature
Ruellia makoyana is native to the forests of southeastern Brazil, trailing across the warm, humid, shaded floor.
Temperature: 18–24 °C. Pet safety: not known to be toxic, but best kept out of reach of pets.
Propagation
Easy from stem cuttings rooted in damp substrate under humidity.
Common problems
- Leggy, sparse growth = too little light or no pinching; brighten and pinch back.
- Wilting = it dried out; keep the substrate evenly moist.
Good companions
Monkey Plant pairs well with plants that want the same conditions, a humid, closed terrarium with bright, indirect light. Here are some species that thrive alongside it:
→ Explore more matches with our Plant Pairing Tool.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Monkey Plant flower in a terrarium?
It can produce small rosy, trumpet-shaped flowers, though it's mainly grown for its velvety, silver-veined foliage.
How big does it get?
Around 15–50 cm with a spread to about 45 cm, so it works as a trailing accent in a medium or larger terrarium.
Care information is a general guide; conditions vary. Some links on this site are affiliate links that help support Terrarium Creations.