How to Create Your Own Terrarium

Posted on March 4th, 2009 by Carmelia

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Terrariums are a wonderful and natural way to decorate your indoor spaces. What can be better than your own mini-indoor garden? Here’s how to one:

Tools

Terrarium container
Terrarium plants
Pea gravel
Ground charcoal
Sterilized and fresh potting soil
Water
Chopsticks
Terrarium lid (optional)
Terrarium decoration

Choose a Terrarium Container

Terrariums are commonly seen in old fish tanks, but you can make smaller ones from jars, large bottles, fishbowls, bowls and large glasses. Gardening shops and flea markets can actually offer beautiful terrarium containers of different shapes and sizes to choose from. Make sure that the container is clean before using it.

Choose Terrarium Plants

Maidenhair Fern, Baby Tears, Creeping Fig and African Violets are just some of the plants that grow very well in terrariums. Typical houseplants that do not grow very large (remember, it’s a small container) also are good candidates. Choose plants who all have similar methods of care. You can ask the opinion of gardening stores on what plants they would recommend for your terrarium.

Layer

First layer (deepest layer) is about an inch of pea gravel for drainage.
Second layer is half an inch of ground charcoal over the pea gravel. The charcoal is to absorb the smell the terrarium may produce, such as rotting leaves and roots.
Third layer is two to three inches of sterilized potting soil. Distribute evenly all throughout the terrarium.
All in all, the three layers should make up at least a fourth of the terrarium’s space.
Use a spoon or a chopstick to plant the plants inside the terrarium. Give a space allowance for the plants to grow. Do not plant them too near the edges of the container. Position the plants for the smaller ones to grow closer to the mouth of the terrarium and the bigger ones to grow closer to the terrarium container’s inner walls.
Add terrarium decoration as you wish. Don’t overdo it.
Water the plants according to their specifications. Use a funnel to clean the inside walls of the terrarium.
When you see a dying plant or a plant with a rotting part, gently take out using a chopstick, remove the offending part, and plant back in. Remove diseased or overgrown plants.
Terrariums should have a light condensation on the glass. If too much water forms, have it sunned for a few hours in morning light. If it is dry, you are not watering it enough.
Dessert-themed terrariums or tropical rainforest terrariums require other specifications to keep their plants alive and happy. Best to refer to a professional gardener on what will work best for your home and for your plants.