How To Make A Terrarium

African Violet, bird, Cactus, Canna, Cannabis, dracaena, Echeveria, Fern, Fertilizer, Graptopetalum, Health, Houseplant, Nest, peperomia, Pet, pH, Pond, Potting, Potting soil, Root rot, Staghorn, Succulent plants, Tea, Terrarium, Violet, Winter

Making a terrarium is perhaps simpler than you think. You may construct them in minutes or build them yourself with a few grocery store supplies. They’ll look fantastic for months. Terrariums are a simple way to bring life and beauty into any space.

Terrariums are built of glass and usually include a few holes in the cover to allow for fresh air. The glass cover captures humidity and recycles it as water, reducing the need for watering. Air holes allow air to flow and keep humidity at bay, allowing you to view the plants. If your container’s lid lacks air holes, just remove the top from time to time. As a case in point, ferns require humidity to thrive, terrariums are a good option to grow them indoors.

Choosing Plants for Your Terrarium

Here are ideas for recommended plants appropriate for your terrariums. There are many more, of course:

African Violet

Baby’s Tears

A baby's tear plant iwht pink flowers — Dr.S.Soundarapandian, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Dracaena

Echeveria

Ferns; Maidenhair ferns, Birds nest ferns and staghorn ferns

Adiantum growig against a big rock — Adiantum or Vengolis, CC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commons

Graptopetalum

Jade Plants

A pink Crassula ovata Jade Plant — JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/), CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Moss

Panda Plant

Incredible pnda plant with its light blue leaves — Mokkie, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Peperomia

Spider Plant

Spider pant with plantlets — W.carter, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Choosing a Container for Your Terrarium

Containers come in all shapes and sizes.

Choose a glass container, containers of composite materials are not recommended due to possible effects on plants

Decide if you want an open or closed container.

You can also make your own container. Make a stained glass container and it will be unique!

You can read more here.

Six Steps to Create a Terrarium

Step 1: Assemble materials

First, visualize your ideal terrarium. What will you do with it? Which plants do you want to showcase? What kind of container are you going to use? Is there a lid on it? Once you’ve decided on a design, head to your local garden centre to get many of the components needed to create a terrarium.

You will need:

Glass jar or bowl
Hydrostone, sand, rocks and/or pebbles
Activated charcoal
Organic potting soil or cactus mix, depending on plants
Ornamental moss
Decorative elements such as fairies, rocks, shells, or stones
Small plants or succulents
Watering can
Espoma’s Indoor! or Cactus! liquid fertilizer depending on plant needs
Optional: Tweezers
Optional: Small sticks or bark

Step 2: Sand Layer

Your terrarium’s first layer will be for drainage. At the bottom, add a 1-inch layer of hydrostone, sand, rocks, or pebbles. This prevents water from lingering in the soil and aids in the prevention of root rot. Top that with a solid layer of sphagnum moss. This helps hold the soil in place and keeps the stone layer looking clean.

Step 3: Activated Charcoal Layer

To keep the terrarium healthy, add around 1/4 cup of activated charcoal. It is important to add charcoal because it serves as a filter. It helps to keep the water free of deposits and microbes that can develop on your plants.

Step 4: Add Soil and Plants

Make sure you have enough soil for your plants. Make a tiny hole for each plant. Choose a few prominent succulents or fill the space with as many plants as you desire. Make sure each plant has enough space to develop. Remember to leave some room for creative additions.

Step 5: Get Creative

After you’ve added plants to your terrarium, it’s time to add the final touches. To improve the appearance, layer several types of attractive mosses or decorative stones. If you have fairy garden elements, place them now. If you’re bringing in any parts from the outside, make sure to thoroughly rinse them first. It may be simpler to use tweezers to insert these pieces in smaller terrariums.

Step 6: Fertilize

Feeding your terrarium plants with the right liquid fertilizer can keep them healthy and vigorous. Enjoy! Change up your terrarium whenever you feel the need for a change or fresh plants!

Step 7: Sun, Water and Fertilizer

It’s a good idea to initially check your terrarium for watering needs once a week. In general, they will only require water once a month, but each terrarium is unique. Make sure not to overwater it. Set your new invention in strong light, but not direct sunlight, since the glass might function as a magnifying glass and generate excessive heat. Fertilize every two months.