Optimizing a 10-Gallon Mexican Pinguicula Terrarium: Light, Humidity, and Moss

A grower detailed their 10-gallon Pinguicula terrarium: chrome reflectors, LECA drainage, FlyTrap Store mix, aeration tubing for water-table access, small fan, reptile hood with two 25W daylight CFLs. Plants (cyclosecta, ehlersiae, esseriana ×2, jaumavensis) improved but weren’t coloring up. Day temps 75–85°F, humidity 50–60%. They asked about a 24″ 6-bulb T5 HO fixture (12,000 lumens, 6500K) and encouraging moss.

Dan Bowen praised the setup—very similar to his own successful terrariums. The 6500K T5 would be excellent for color and moss growth. Slightly close the top gap to raise humidity (watch for mold). Light distance and photoperiod (hours per day) also drive coloration.