I have wanted to add to my plant collection since we moved to the new house. This house has lots of big windows and I love the look of beautiful, luscious plants as part of the decor.
I have added a couple of air plants, a string of pearls, and I just planted my first terrarium. I also joined a terrarium Facebook group to help with my beginner questions. Wow, you should see some of the terrariums in this group (Closed Terrariums)
Popular in the 1970s, terrariums are making a comeback. They are usually created in glass containers and can be open or closed (lids or no lids).
Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium
I'm calling this a beginner's terrarium because it really was quite easy to create. We will see how easy it is to keep alive 😬
I've been thinking of creating one for a while, but when I found this large glass container recently at Goodwill for just $4.99, that's when I decided to pull the trigger!
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Beginner Terrarium Supplies
Step One: Wash and dry your selected container.
Step Two: Add a layer of small rocks, aquarium gravel works great. I found mine at Target's Dollar Spot last year.
This layer will act as a drainage layer since your container will not have drainage holes but if your container is glass, choose something pretty! Make this layer about 2 inches deep depending on the size and shape of your container (A tall, slender container will require a deeper layer).
Step Three: Add a thin layer of activated charcoal. Make this layer 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch deep.
The charcoal will help with drainage and any odors.
Step Four (Optional): Add a layer of sheet moss. I think this step is optional, I've seen some tutorials say to use a layer between the charcoal/gravel layer and the potting soil layer. It serves two purposes... additional drainage and keeping the soil from mixing in with the gravel.
I did not do this but I think next time I will.
Step Five: Add the potting soil. The type of soil you use will depend on the kinds of plants you choose but it should be sterilized, well-draining, and have no added fertilizer.
Make sure it is deep enough for the plants to have room for the roots.
![potting soil added to terrarium Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXfww1JmC6p8gEwfvJEne0X1S_qcft3HLSWkhaQDSnE7X7IThV6fpQo9KOC4vCNzUraE-xMr5Q7iZ2pJmrNWEgE44itdWSz3SWQSAsosJwrx7REJA9RpHuz3paThtZF_83iADQIPfkc9SzZ1x78JZCeEFlmIutZoJU6CugUWpFrHRD6QijEbK4iQ_cA/s16000-rw/adding%20soil%20to%20the%20terrarium%20(2).jpg)
Step Six: Add the plants! You may need to separate and prune the roots a bit if they are root bound in their nursery pots.
![terrarium plant Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLXKHnhH_Tfe7PeyoAi3HXdZvANkhZg4EtM6tnkyxS_wDrm9CmMj7q7CXU9KLJrBxkX8r4jJ5-L5TTOm9KrViitfjzPhiY5TnCir2Ox9WSy5DeTBJoDvJT1EdTHhu287NvW1CuYJj5pfeOMW0caKkEcLP4LoftdBI5thkuZvkfLsIMIrOSTjxjmIlBQ/s16000-rw/terrarium%20plants%20(1).jpg)
![plants for terrarium Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPwhKWQ_MD9a2oGTBMAK04s4DPVkOAZdLJ1StPdk46x9xNxCy4bgTOBYhQ_9FTCstS_vEUl93ndP1W0y-ONFPq6h8q5X6id1y3nrUbDZ7qUdEwa-dp92qun5IpMoC4DUvM23jPUcInqz8eyI8Al07HeqUerlaTC-gZq6ZPeAM-bFBn547vhgJbAopAg/s16000-rw/terrarium%20plants%20(2).jpg)
Step Seven: Add decorative preserved moss. Preserved moss will not grow, it is decorative in nature and will add layers and interest.
Step Eight: Add miniature decorative accents. My mom had this tiny turtle that I made in a ceramics class when I was young.
I added a couple of decorative rocks as well that I found at the Dollar Store.
And here is my finished terrarium 😍
What I've learned from the Facebook terrarium group so far is:
- The container should fog up ideally in the morning and the evening. If it is staying foggy all the time, remove the lid for a while.
- Do not water like you water your regular house plants, use a mister instead and only mist when the soil feels dry.
Have you ever had a terrarium or do you think you'd like to try one? If you are experienced with terrariums and have any tips for me, please share by leaving a comment on this post (I read them all!!)
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I'm thrilled to see your terrarium tutorial, Tania. Last week while visiting a local greenhouse with my granddaughter, she gravitated straight to the terrarium section. We spent over thirty minutes while looked at every.single.detail in each one of them. I promised her that sometime soon we'd make our own together. So your post is rather timely because I had no idea where to begin!
ReplyDeleteAww, what a fun thing to do with your granddaughter, she will love it!
DeleteThis turned out so nice. I have that exact glass jar! I remember doing a terrarium many years ago--I might try that again.
ReplyDeleteThanks Vikki! It was fun to do, I just hope I can keep it alive! haha!
DeleteIt turned out very pretty! I love the container. I think they're pretty easy to care for. I had one many years ago but don't remember details about it----care, etc. I think refraining from overwatering is key!
ReplyDeleteYah, seems like over watering would be easy but I think they make their own moisture!
DeleteVery well done tutorial with a great result! I'm ALMOST tempted! Occasional spritzing would be right up my alley as I tend to forget to water my plants!
ReplyDeleteahh, ALMOST! lol
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