How to Make Your Own Terrarium

Making your own terrarium is a great way to bring the outdoors into your home. A terrarium is far better than a potted plant because it gives you the ability to create an entire natural environment that will grow together versus just one plant in a container. In an enclosed terrarium you can combine several compatible plants and create a miniature landscape all in a small dish to grow on your windowsill. Better yet a terrarium is virtually self sufficient requiring very little care once you have created it and found somewhere for it to rest.

What You Need

The most important piece of your terrarium is a clear container that will hold the entire terrarium. You can search for a unique piece or use large vases, bowls, aquariums, even a small saucer and a cake stand lid. Once you have the container you need to choose suitable plants that will not outgrow the container too rapidly and can coexist with each other. Ideal plants should be slow growers and compact in structure, try looking for miniatures. Also remember to select a variety of plants with one larger plant to be the focal, moss to provide a base, a creeper or plant with vines and low growing plants. If you really want your terrarium to resemble a garden scene try finding small pieces of wood and stones to resemble logs and boulders or other interesting pieces to add. For the foundation of the terrarium you will need small aquarium rocks, pea gravel, or pebbles, charcoal, sphagnum moss, and potting mix.

What You Do

Wash the terrarium container well with clean hot water and dry thoroughly. Add the first layer of Aquarium rocks or pebbles to the bottom of the terrarium about an inch deep. Next add a thin layer of the charcoal, the best charcoal for this is the activated charcoal that you would add to an aquarium. For the third layer of the terrarium you will need to add a thin layer of sphagnum moss do not pat this down too much as it is there to keep the soil from being lost in the layers of drainage we made. Finally add a layer of potting soil sufficient enough to cover the roots of your plants.

Now it is time to plant! Before removing your plants from the pots they came in I suggest placing them in the area and layout you want to create first. Use the landscape pieces too to make sure everything fits together and is appealing to the eye. I suggest Placing the largest plant in the center of the terrarium or in the foreground depending on how and where the terrarium will be viewed. The lower growing plants can be placed in front of and around your larger plant and the creepers or moss around the front and base of the terrarium. If you will be using any ivy or vines plant them near the back preferably behind the larger plant but close enough so they have something to wind themselves around.

Remove your plants form their pots and closely inspect them to be sure there are no insects who have made their home in the roots or leaves. Using a spoon or other small tool you can scoop out some of the potting soil to make room for your plant. Be sure to cover the roots of the plant completely with soil and press it down firmly. To ensure that your plant remains a slow grower to not spread the roots out, leave them compact and tight when planting.

Once all your plants have been planted and your landscaping done lightly mist the plants with water and add the lid. You will not need to water again for a couple of weeks, but keep an eye on the terrarium to be sure the plants are not wilting. Because it is a terrarium and there are several plants growing the environment is self sufficient and the humidity created will condense and keep the plants watered. Find a location that receives sun, not direct, to place your terrarium and enjoy!