Best Terrarium Substrate of 2026

"I’m really impressed by the moisture retention and pleasant, earthy scent of this soil. It’s the perfect fit for my tree frogs and toads, and the absence of any chemical odor makes it feel safe. The bag size is more than enough, and I love that it’s so easy to clean."

"I was skeptical about the amount at first, but ended up being pleasantly surprised by the generous bag size—it filled my large frog tank twice! The substrate drains well and looks great. I’ll definitely be buying this again."

"I used this for my crested gecko setup and it’s been amazing. Odor control is excellent, cleanup is simple, and the texture is just right—soft but holds moisture. My gecko is happy and so am I!"

"I love how this substrate keeps my frog's enclosure moist all day and helps break down waste, so I only need to do a deep clean twice a year. It's great for the plants and microfauna too."

"After mixing this with ABG substrate and setting up my vivarium, I noticed healthy, happy plants and even some harmless clean-up crew critters like earthworms and millipedes. The mix seems top-notch, and the accidental snail was a fun surprise."

"This is definitely the best substrate for my isopod colonies—they've been thriving ever since I started using it. It also works perfectly for all the microfauna in my vivariums!"

"I was impressed with how well this substrate holds moisture and keeps my tank humid—perfect for my hermit crabs. It’s affordable and works great with both sand and coconut fiber setups."

"After switching to this product, I noticed my pet is more active and seems to enjoy the environment much more. The soft, clean texture is easy to maintain, and it doesn’t get soggy or smell. I also appreciate the great value for the amount you get."

"The compacted bricks fluffed up easily after adding water and were simple to prepare. I liked that there was no strong odor and the process was quick. It’s much cheaper than bark bedding, and my tortoise seems happy with it."

"I used this moss for my lizard’s enclosure and was really impressed by how well it holds moisture and helps maintain the humidity. It arrived clean, dry, and expanded nicely after misting. The moss is soft, looks natural, and is easy to spread around the tank. A little bit goes a long way, so the bag lasted much longer than I thought. I’d definitely purchase it again for humidity control and natural-looking hides."

"I bought this moss for my tortoise and found it super easy to use and clean. It comes vacuum-sealed and changes from brown to green once you add water, giving a fresh, natural appearance. Even using less than half the package, I ended up with a lot of moss. For the price, it’s a great value and high quality."

"I got this moss to create a hide for my snake. The color is vibrant and texture decent, plus it’s reptile-safe and holds moisture well. The only minor downside was a bit of dust at the bottom of the bag, but the rest was totally usable. It worked well for my purposes and is ideal for adding humidity or making decorative hides."

"As a first-time isopod owner, I’m really impressed with how well this dirt works for my dairy cow isopods. They love the included leaves, and I noticed strong, healthy growth in my colony."

"I tried this blend for my rubber ducky isopods and saw great results. The calcium content is perfect, but I wish the bags were a bit bigger for the price."

"My isopods are thriving with this substrate, and I was delighted to see mushrooms appearing! The earthy smell is pleasant, and the overall quality is top-notch."

"I really like how these rocks look in my tanks—they've got a nice appearance and work perfectly for my vivarium setup."

"I use these as a false bottom in my bioactive tank (18x18x18), and it took about three bags for a good layer. The price is great, and I appreciate the variety in rock size."

"The rocks were pretty dusty when they arrived, but after rinsing, they were just what I needed for my mourning gecko enclosure. They do the job well."

"I've experimented with different substrates for my moss terrariums, like sphagnum and clay, but this sub stratum stands out for how quickly my plants thrive and green up. Even my stressed cuttings bounced back in just a day! I really appreciate the micronutrients and beneficial bacteria—it makes caring for my plants so much easier. It's a fantastic value compared to name brands, and I'm planning to use it for all my plants moving forward."

"After trying various clay rocks for my bioactive terrariums, I switched to this product and found it superior in both safety and odor reduction. There are no sharp edges, so I don't worry about my reptiles, and it keeps the tank smelling fresh. While it's a bit pricier and the bag could be bigger, I'm happy to pay a little more for these benefits."

"This substrate has been fantastic for my hydroponic plants. The added nutrition seems to kickstart growth every time. I usually mix it with perlite, and my plants are absolutely thriving. Highly recommend for anyone looking to boost plant health!"

"I've been buying this substrate repeatedly because a little bit expands a lot and holds moisture extremely well. It's the perfect size—doesn't get mixed into food or make everything dusty. My pets have an easy time shedding when I use this, and for the low price, the quality is outstanding."

"This is my go-to medium for my hoyas. Both the bag and the block offer great value, but I prefer the block for breaking off smaller pieces. After soaking, it retains moisture beautifully and my plants are thriving. Highly recommended for both plant and reptile care!"

"The Exo Terra Coco Husk is ideal for creating a humid, naturalistic habitat. I appreciate that it's eco-friendly, safe for pets, and supports digging behaviors. Odor control is a plus, and it's simple to maintain. The 8-quart package is generous and convenient—definitely a top choice for my terrarium setups."

"I used this substrate for my tarantula’s enclosure and it worked great after soaking in warm water for half an hour. I like to mix it with moss, and it keeps the tank fresh for months without molding. The quality really impressed me."

"I bought this for a snail terrarium after seeing many people recommend it online. While the soil itself is fine and holds humidity, it took me a lot longer than the instructions suggested to break it down. I had to really work at it with scissors and extra water, so just be prepared for extra prep time."

"For my isopods, this substrate has been a lifesaver. It retains moisture really well and my pets have been thriving since I started using it. I’m very happy with the results after two months."

"I've used these balls in my bioactive tanks for several months, and they've performed perfectly once everything was set up. They're a great size and weight, but be careful—if you let the mesh divider slip, the balls will float and can be tricky to retrieve. Also, make sure to rinse them thoroughly to avoid any murkiness. That said, the quality is excellent and I highly recommend them!"

"This product is perfect for building vivariums. I noticed almost no dust in the bag, and the packaging was top-notch. I'll definitely be coming back for more on my future projects!"

"I bought two 10-pound bags for my 40-gallon tank, but just one was plenty. The price is unbeatable for the quality, and it was super easy to use by just following the instructions. I appreciate the generous amount you get for the money. For anyone looking to start a bio tank on a budget, this is a fantastic option!"