Finding the right soils

[Hermic]

Planning a half land/half water vivarium for newts and I'm looking for a soil that'll work well for the land portion. It'll be bog plants with constantly wet soil, so I want to avoid a muddy mess. Has anyone got any recommendations for a soil that can handle this? I'm open to suggestions on plants too, or any other ideas that might help.

[matti]

I think Pond soil might be worth considering for your setup. A safer bet could be something similar to Fluval Stratum. My experience with ferns in my paludarium has been great, they're thriving, and the peace lilies are doing well too. Wish you all the best with your vivarium project.

[Lollies]

For the land portion, I think you'll find alocacea and calatheas do wonderfully in wet environments. Cryptanthus and caldiums are also worth considering, as they thrive in moist soil. Fittonia, or nerve plant, is another great option, and its unique foliage will add some visual interest. Hemigraphis, also known as waffle plant, is a great choice too - it's low-maintenance and does well in wet conditions. Maranta, or prayer plant, is another good one, and it's relatively easy to care for. Monstera, philodendron, and pilea are also great options, as they can tolerate a range of moisture levels. Rhaphidophora and syngonium are also worth looking into. I agree with Matti, though - peace lilies and ferns will likely do really well in your setup.