Create Your Own Contained Ecosystem with a Terrarium!

Did you know Bountiful Gardens offers terrarium building workshops? Have the skills, but just need space? We'll clear off a project table for you to get to crafting and creating. Planting a terrarium in our greenhouse is a surefire way to know you'll have everything you need, when you need it, and the peaceful ambiance can't be beat!

Ike's finished terrarium, ready to thrive

In this post, you'll learn:

• How to make and maintain your own contained ecosystem

• The terrarium order of operations

• Different plants that thrive in terrariums

• The best substrates and strategies for terrarium design

We've got all the terrarium tools you need!

But what is a terrarium, and how do you go about putting one together? It's much simpler than you think--it just takes a few basic steps. Planted properly, your terrarium will only need watering and maintenance a few times a year!

Terrariums are like little rainforests you can place anywhere!

Most simply, a terrarium is an enclosed glass, plastic or acrylic container filled with small plants. While many terrariums are fully enclosed, you can also opt for one with an open window--it will just need more watering, as evaporating water will escape rather than recycle. Open containers are perfect choices for cacti and succulents, which need less water.

Our terrarium section is overflowing!

Here are your basic needs for a great terrarium, all of which you'll find at our greenhouse: 

• Container with no drainage holes 

• Terrarium plants 

• Sheet moss 

• Gravel, sea glass, or beach stones 

• Activated charcoal  

• potting mix  

• A large spoon

• Spray bottle 

• Optional: decorative elements, tweezers

We've got terrarium vessels for every taste

Step 1: Pick your container!

A terrarium can be planted in any container that will allow natural light to pass through. This can be as fancy as a large custom glass vessel or as simple as a mason jar. Whatever your taste, we have a huge assortment of terrarium vessels for you to choose from. You'll want to think about how many plants you're aiming to include, the height they might reach, and the space your vessel needs to fit in your home. If you're choosing to include succulents and/or cacti, opt for an open container! Make sure you're visualizing a few inches of drainage and substrate layers!

We have a HUGE assortment of 2" potted plants!

Step 2: Choose your plants!

Now that you've got your container, it's time to decide what you'll fill it with! We have a huge assortment of small terrarium plants, succulents, cacti, moss and more, all of which are perfect choices for small containers. We recommend any of our 2" potted plants from our dedicated terrarium section. You can get as wild with colors and textures as you'd like!

You can use any coarse gravel, seaglass or beach stones for your drainage layer

Step 3: Add your drainage layers!

Because terrariums don't have drainage holes, you'll need to provide a few inches of drainage medium to prevent mold and rot in your new ecosystem. Start by adding a 2-inch layer of coarse gravel, seaglass or beach stones to act as a reservoir.

Ike adds a layer of activated charcoal over the gravel

Next, you'll want to use a spoon to add about a half inch of activated charcoal. This layer will act as a water filter, removing toxins, odors and bacteria from the system.

To cover your charcoal, mosses like sphagnum are a great choice

Get that topsoil in there to your liking--1 inch minimum.

Step 4: Add your substrates!

Now that our drainage layers are in place, it's time to build up our substrate. To prevent our soil from mixing into our reservoir, first lay down a layer of moss on top of the activated charcoal. After that, add around an inch of topsoil to the container. Use your spoon to spread the soil around, forming the rough topography you're after. Maybe more soil should be in the back to allow for risen plants--it's up to you!

For some containers, tongs make planting MUCH easier

Step 5: Get to planting!

Once your topsoil is in place, gather all of your plants and gently pull them from their pots. If any roots are tightly packed, don't be afraid to tease them apart a bit--this will help them root into their new soil. Next, get a rough idea for your layout by placing the plants where you think they should go.

Keep going until you're happy with your arrangement

When you're happy with your placement, grab your spoon and dig a little hole for your first plant. Place it in the hole and backfill gently with the spoon. Repeat this process until all your plants are in their spots. To secure your plants in place, pat the soil around them down a bit.

We have SO many decorative mosses for color and texture, as well as moisture retention!

Step 6: Add your decorative elements!

For a personal touch, you can add fairy garden statues, found forest pieces, stones, reindeer mosses, bark chips or trinkets to your terrarium. In addition to adding character and beauty, these elements can also help keep plants in place with their weight.

Terrariums are perfect for Fairy Gardens, and we've got loads of figurines for your collection

Watering Your Terrarium

The most common mistake is to overwater terrariums. For open terrariums, add water with a spray bottle or tablespoon once a week or when the soil is dry. Stop when you see the water begin to collect at the bottom of the terrarium. 

Don't forget to water!

For closed terrariums, you may only need to water every 4-6 months. Keep an eye out for condensation on the plants and dry soil. Condensation should form on the inside of the container and eventually run back down into the soil to serve as a water supply. If it forms on the plants instead, then the interior is too moist. Keep the cover off for a time each day until the plants are dry -- this can take 15 minutes to an hour. If the soil dries out, add water in small portions and stop if you see it begin to sit and not absorb into the soil. 

Natural light is great, but if it's in short supply, we have special grow bulbs for you at Lawrenceville

Terrarium Placement, Light & Maintenance

Your terrarium can be placed wherever it will fit! If the spot has natural light, you're all set. If not, you'll want to pick up a grow light around 100w that can give your terrarium around 16 hours of light each day. We have a great selection of grow lights at Bountiful Gardens Lawrenceville!

Heart Leaf Fern is a great choice for a closed terrarium

As for maintenance, remove any yellowing or damaged leaves and/or dead plants right away if they appear. Don’t fertilize your terrarium plants because it can stimulate excessive growth and lead to a build-up of salts in the soil. 

Cacti and succulents make for great open terrariums!

A selection of potted cacti and succulent dish gardens

Periodically clean the glass or plastic of your terrarium container both inside and out. If the glass gets too dirty or foggy, less light will reach your plants. Use a damp piece of newspaper or a lint-free cloth to wipe clean. Do not use harsh cleaning products. 

A finished terrarium, viewed from above

Bring the beauty of nature indoors!

Now you're all set to come build your very own custom terrarium! We have everything you need here at both Bountiful Gardens Ewing & Lawrenceville to make and maintain a custom contained ecosystem, including expert guidance, should you need it. For the best experience, book your own time to build a terrarium in our greenhouse today!

Ike, prepared for the challenge!