Best Terrarium Sand of 2025

Chloe Foster Avatar
Chloe Foster
Last Updated: 6 Feb 2025

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Terrarium sand is a versatile and practical product that is ideal for creating unique and beautiful habitats for plants, reptiles, and other small creatures. This sand is specially formulated to be safe and non-toxic, and it comes in a range of colours and textures to suit any design preference. Whether you are looking to create a desert landscape, a tropical rainforest, or a minimalist Zen garden, terrarium sand is an excellent choice. With its natural look and feel, it will help to stabilise and support your plants while adding a touch of style to your terrarium.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Exo Terra Red Desert Sand for Terrariums Cover #TOP 1
Exo Terra Red Desert Sand for Terrariums
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Exo Terra Yellow Desert Sand, 4.5 Kg Cover #TOP 2
Exo Terra Yellow Desert Sand, 4.5 Kg
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Komodo Natural Sand for Reptiles Cover #TOP 3
Komodo Natural Sand for Reptiles
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Terrarium Sand

#TOP 1

Exo Terra Red Desert Sand for Terrariums

PT3105
Pack of 1
Exo Terra Red Desert Sand for Terrariums Cover
Exo Terra Desert Sand, 4.5 Kg, Red

The Exo Terra Desert Sand is an excellent choice for creating a natural desert environment in your terrarium. Its exceptional heat-conducting properties help maintain an optimal temperature for your reptiles. Made from natural desert sand without any added dyes or chemicals, it ensures a safe habitat for your pets. Additionally, this sand stimulates natural digging and burrowing behaviours, allowing your reptiles to exhibit their instincts. This product not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your terrarium but also promotes a healthier environment for your pets.

What We Like
Natural and safe materials
Promotes natural behaviours
Excellent heat conduction
Enhances terrarium appearance
#TOP 2

Exo Terra Yellow Desert Sand, 4.5 Kg

PT3103
Yellow
10-Pound
Exo Terra Yellow Desert Sand, 4.5 Kg Cover
Exo Terra Desert Sand, 4.5 Kg, Yellow

Exo Terra Desert Sand is a premium choice for creating a natural terrarium environment. This sand is made from natural materials, ensuring there are no harmful dyes or chemicals that could affect your pets. It is an excellent heat conductor, helping to maintain the ideal temperature in your habitat. By stimulating natural digging and burrowing behaviours, it allows your pets to express their instincts, promoting their well-being. Additionally, it creates an attractive desert landscape, enhancing the visual appeal of your terrarium.

What We Like
Natural and safe materials
Good heat conductivity
Encourages natural behaviours
Enhances terrarium aesthetics
#TOP 3

Komodo Natural Sand for Reptiles

82058
Komodo Natural Sand for Reptiles Cover
Komodo Natural Sand, Natural Substrates, Reptile friendly sand, Natural Sand, Suitable for all reptiles

Komodo Natural Sand is perfect for creating an arid habitat for your reptiles. It allows your pets to dig and burrow, which mimics their natural behaviour and keeps them active. Additionally, this sand is suitable for laying eggs, providing a safe environment for breeding. With a weight of 5000 grams, it ensures a substantial amount for your terrarium needs. Using this substrate can enhance the overall well-being of your reptiles.

What We Like
Encourages natural digging behaviour
Good for egg laying
Creates an arid habitat
Substantial weight for terrariums
#TOP 4

Pettex Reptile Substrates Desert Sand for Natural Habitats

8075
Beige
4 l (Pack of 1)
Pettex Reptile Substrates Desert Sand for Natural Habitats Cover
Pettex Reptile Substrates Desert Sand 4L

Pettex Desert Sand is an ideal choice for all reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and tortoises. It helps create a natural-looking habitat, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your terrarium. The sand is both absorbent and hygienic, making it easy to maintain a clean environment for your pets. Additionally, being 100% natural means you can have peace of mind knowing you are using a safe product. It effectively absorbs waste and controls odours, providing a pleasant atmosphere for both you and your reptiles.

What We Like
Natural habitat creation
Absorbent and hygienic
100% natural materials
Odour control
#TOP 5

Zoo Med WC-2 Repti-Sand for Reptiles

SW10
Desert White
4.5 kg (Pack of 1)
Zoo Med WC-2 Repti-Sand for Reptiles Cover
Zoo Med WC-2 Repti-Sand, 4.5 Kg, Desert White

Zoo Med Repti-Sand is a natural substrate ideal for reptiles. Made from desert sand, it contains no added dyes or chemicals, ensuring a safe environment for your pets. This product stimulates natural digging and burrowing behaviour, allowing you to create an engaging habitat for your reptiles. Additionally, it serves as an excellent heat conductor, helping to maintain the right temperature for species like bearded dragons and sand boas. With its beautiful white colour, it enhances the aesthetic appeal of your terrarium.

What We Like
Natural sand substrate
Stimulates natural behaviour
Safe, no added chemicals
Excellent heat conductor
#TOP 6

Trixie 76133 5kg Dark Red Cave Sand

76133
Dark Red
5 kg (Pack of 1)
Trixie 76133 5kg Dark Red Cave Sand Cover
Trixie 76133 5kg Terrarium Cave Sand Dark Red

The Trixie Cave Sand is an excellent choice for creating a natural environment for your burrowing reptiles and other terrarium inhabitants. It allows you to set up stable caves and corridors, giving your pets a safe space to explore. Thanks to its clay content, this sand retains moisture, which is beneficial for maintaining a healthy habitat. Plus, it contains no dyes or additives, ensuring that your pets are safe while enjoying their home. You can easily design a beautiful desert terrarium with this product.

What We Like
Ideal for burrowing reptiles
Creates stable caves and corridors
Moisture-retaining properties
No harmful dyes or additives
Perfect for desert terrariums
#TOP 7

Pettex Coloured Calci Sand for Reptiles

8072
Green
4 l (Pack of 1)
Pettex Coloured Calci Sand for Reptiles Cover
Pettex Reptile Coloured Calci Sand 4L Green

Pettex Calci Sand is designed for all types of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and tortoises. It encourages your pet's natural digging and burrowing behaviour, making their habitat more engaging. This highly absorbent substrate effectively soaks up waste and controls odour, ensuring a cleaner environment for both you and your reptile. Additionally, the sand is sourced sustainably from around the world, allowing you to care for your pet while being environmentally conscious.

What We Like
Stimulates natural behaviours
Highly absorbent
Controls odour
Sustainably sourced
Visually striking
#TOP 8

ProRep Desert Sand for Terrariums, 5 Kg

SPD005
5 kg (Pack of 1)
ProRep Desert Sand for Terrariums, 5 Kg Cover
ProRep Desert Sand, 5 Kg

The ProRep Desert Sand is a fine silica-based sand ideal for species that thrive in dry environments. Its completely natural composition means you can create a safe habitat for your pets without worrying about harmful additives. This sand has been sifted to remove impurities, ensuring a clean and attractive landscape for your terrarium. By using this desert sand, you can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your pet's environment while providing them with the comfort they need.

What We Like
Natural and safe for pets
Attractive terrarium landscaping
Free from dyes and chemicals
Removes impurities for cleanliness
#TOP 9

Swell Premium Natural Reptile Sand 4kg for Burrowing

GF7ARXK
Swell Premium Natural Reptile Sand 4kg for Burrowing Cover
Swell Premium Natural Reptile Sand 4kg

The Swell Reptile Sand is a natural substrate designed specifically for reptiles that thrive in dry, arid environments. Its natural sand encourages burrowing and egg laying, creating a comfortable habitat for your reptiles. This substrate is made from silica sand, which not only mimics their natural habitat but also serves as an excellent heat conductor, helping to maintain an optimal temperature. Using this sand can enhance the wellbeing of your reptiles, making it a practical choice for any reptile enthusiast.

What We Like
Encourages natural behaviours
Ideal for desert reptiles
Excellent heat conductivity
Natural and safe substrate
#TOP 10

Trixie Desert Terrarium Sand, 5 kg Pack

76134
White
5 kg (Pack of 2)
Trixie Desert Terrarium Sand, 5 kg Pack Cover
Trixie 76134 Base Sand for Desert Terrariums, 5 kg, White (Pack of 2)

The Trixie Desert Sand is an excellent choice for your desert terrarium. Its fine-grained texture allows for a more natural habitat, making it easier for your animals to exhibit their natural behaviours. The absence of artificial colours or additives ensures a safe environment for your pets. Additionally, this sand offers good thermal conductivity, making it suitable for heating cables and mats, helping you maintain the perfect temperature for your terrarium. Cleaning is also a breeze, ensuring that your setup remains tidy with minimal effort.

What We Like
Natural habitat design
No artificial additives
Good thermal conductivity
Easy to clean
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What kind of sand do you use in a terrarium?

You can also use completely white sand or quartz sand that looks elegant and classy. Sand will be added to the bottom of a terrarium and can be used as a decorative element on top. You can also use sand to fill the holes in a terrarium or hide the plants' roots.

2. Is sand good in a terrarium?

Sand is one of the most versatile substrate components one can use inside a terrarium. It serves both form and function. Sand can be used to promote drainage and aeration. It can also create mesmerising and colourful layers that ripple underneath the surface of your ecosystem.

3. What do you put in the bottom of a terrarium?

Small Stones or Pebbles – Small stones or pebbles will be used as the base of your terrarium. The small pebbles act as water drainage for the plants' roots to ensure that excess water doesn't stay in the soil and cause rot.

Editor's Notes

During our terrarium sand research, we found 39 terrarium sand products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 41,984 customer reviews through our big data system to write the terrarium sand list. We found that most customers choose terrarium sand with an average price of £15.03.

The terrarium sand are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of terrarium sand, including Exo Terra, Komodo, Pettex, Zoo Med, Trixie.

Written by
Chloe Foster Avatar

Happy Pet Happy Owner by Chloe Foster sold over 100 thousand copies in the UK. Chloe worked as a veterinarian in The Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Woodham. She stayed for seven years before coming home to set up her pet store in Swansea. Chloe is an experienced veterinarian with a flair for literature. Chloe is vast in the knowledge of animals, animal nutrition, medication, and care.