How to Make a Terrarium or Biosphere: An Easy-to-Make Science Project

A terrarium or biosphere is a tiny enclosed environment that can live by itself. A terrarium can give you years of enjoyment watching how it thrives by itself without any maintenance. You don't have to water the plants in them or care for the terrarium or biosphere so they are a good thing for a person who is away from home a lot.

You can start a terrarium or biosphere by getting a large clear jar with a lid that fits securely. Make sure the jar is clean so you don't introduce any unwanted bacteria to your biosphere.

Place a handful of charcoal chips on the bottom of the jar and cover them with a handful of pebbles. The charcoal keeps the jar clean and free of bad smells.

Get some sterilized potting soil and gently place the soil on top of the pebbles. Make sure the potting soil is slightly damp and cover the pebbles with about a inch covering of the soil.

Take some small plants like mosses or ferns. The smaller the plant the more plants you can put into your terrarium or biosphere and the more plants you have the more interesting it will be. These plants should also like moderate light and moisture for them to thrive best in the terrarium or biosphere.

After you have planted the plants you can add tiny interesting tid bits. Like colorful stones or sea shells. A piece of driftwood can add variety to your terrarium or biosphere. If you have a tiny statute that you like you can add that to the terrarium or biosphere. You can put in what ever you like as long as it is sterile and won't rot in the terrarium or biosphere.

After you have completed your terrarium or biosphere you can put in some water, just enough to wet it not to drown it.

You can put on the lid and place the jar in a lighted location. Do not put the terrarium or biosphere in bright sunshine because it will get too hot in the terrarium or biosphere and kill the plants. It is best to place it in a lighted location that does not get any direct sunlight.

You should never need to water your terrarium or biosphere since the plants and soil recycle the water and keep everything moist.

The plants in your terrarium or biosphere may grow and get too big for your terrarium or biosphere. Some day you may have to take them out and replace them with some smaller plants.