How to Make a Terrarium – Care and Maintenance Guide

For those with green thumbs, the need to grow plants indoors can be undeniable. Whether living in small apartments without garden space or simply wanting to bring vibrant plant life indoors, the options are virtually limitless.

Houseplants grown in large containers are exceptionally popular but can require special care, depending on the type. Another way to add greenery to indoor spaces is by creating terrariums. Learning how to care for terrarium plants can help determine if these unique planters are viable options in your space.

Are Terrariums Easy to Care For?

Terrarium styles can vary greatly. While some terrariums feature an open top, others remain completely closed at all times. Terrarium care and maintenance are relatively simple; however, gardeners need to choose plants carefully.

These planters are ideal for plants that thrive in moist, even tropical, conditions. Glass surrounding terrariums helps create an especially humid environment. For this reason, most terrarium care guides suggest avoiding desert plants, such as cacti or succulents, which may succumb to rot – unless they are grown in open containers.

Terrarium gardening is a craft, and anyone interested can dig right in. The only thing needed to grow a “green thumb” is a bit of information about the materials used. In terrarium gardening, it is the container, the ingredients within it, and the specific plants you choose that will determine success.

How to Set Up a Terrarium

Before use, all terrarium glass should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and hot water. Setup requires a sterile potting mix that is light and drains well. Regular garden soil should never be used.

Here are the classic terrarium building steps for any vessel:

• Assemble ingredients
• Choose plants
• Place drainage material at the bottom
• Add a paper divider to keep the soil from sifting down
• Place charcoal on top of the drainage layer
• Decide where plants will be placed
• Water the plants before placing them inside
• Plant, tamp down and add final soil
• Top dress the final design

Building a strong base with drainage medium and charcoal provides an escape for moisture, and the charcoal helps purify and fight fungal growth.

Terrariums can be created in a wide range of containers, including repurposed vases, cookie jars or cake plates with lids. Consider whether you want plants to spill out the top or sit low and compact, and where the container will be displayed.

Placement and Light

Unlike container-grown houseplants, terrariums require less sunlight. Due to their design, terrariums should never be placed in direct sun, as this will quickly create high temperatures that can kill plants. They should also be kept away from heating elements.

Growers should experiment with placement near windows to find the ideal location for new plantings.

Watering and Moisture Control

Terrarium care routines vary depending on whether the container is open or closed.

Open containers will need watering more frequently. Since there are no drainage holes, moisture must be added very carefully. Water should never be allowed to stand at the bottom of the container or on the surface of the soil.

Closed terrariums require water much less often, as a healthy system is often able to maintain its own balance. Keep condensation steady inside the terrarium by wiping away excess moisture buildup or allowing a bit of air in for an hour if fog appears.

Maintenance

Maintaining cleanliness is key. High humidity within closed environments can lead to bacterial growth and fungal issues.

Keep the terrarium clean by removing debris, dead leaves, moldy moss or dead plants. On occasion, plants may need to be pruned or removed if they grow too large. Overgrown plants can be moved to a larger container or replaced with new seedlings.

Do not be afraid to prune a leaf or plant that begins to overgrow its space.

Plant Choices for Terrariums

Terrariums are best suited to tropical plants that enjoy humidity and even moisture. Strong tropical plants that survive well in humid conditions include:

• Ficus pumila (creeping fig)
• Neanthe bella palm
• Syngonium podophyllum (arrowhead plant)
• Peperomia or Pilea species

For beginners, an air plant in a glass globe with sand or gravel as a base can be one of the easiest options. A few heavy shots of water from a plastic mister once a week are usually sufficient.

With the right container, proper setup and careful moisture control, terrariums can provide a long-lasting and low-maintenance way to bring lush greenery indoors.