Learn how to make an open terrarium with plants, moss, and a few other items for a beautiful miniature garden under glass.

There's nothing prettier than a terrarium for bringing the garden into your home. I've made traditional terrariums with a closed lid. It's so interesting to watch as the entire vessel maintains its own watering system through condensation requiring only minimal maintenance.

Did you know that the first terrarium was discovered by accident by Dr. Nathaniel Baghsaw Ward? You can read all about it in my post called The Wardian Case.

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However, today I want to show you how an open terrarium is easy to create and makes a beautiful statement in the home.

Supplies

wooden skewer or chopsticks
paintbrush
small watering bottle
1 large glass container open at the top
gravel, pebbles, or small rocks
activated charcoal pellets
soilless mix potting soil
plants
moss from the yard or preserved decorative moss

Tall glass vase on a pedestal with a layer of white gravel in the bottom.

How to Make an Open Terrarium

You can find open glass vessels like the one shown above at many stores. This one came from Target. However, you may already have something at home or could probably find a large jar at a thrift store.

Just like closed terrariums you want to start with a layer of rocks or gravel. Since there is no drainage hole in a terrarium, this layer of rock will help with drainage and prevent root rot.

Tall open glass pedestal vase with a layer of white rocks followed by a layer of activated charcoal pellets.

Next, add a layer of charcoal pellets. You can find these in pet stores for aquariums and sometimes at the garden center. This layer helps remove toxins and odors that might build up in the terrarium.

Planting an open terrarium and using wooden chopsticks to move plants and items into place.

Then add some soil. Any good fast draining potting soil or planting medium would be good. You can even make homemade potting soil that would work great for this project.

Tip: Make sure to water the soil in a bowl first before planting. This will get your terrarium off to a good start and will cut down on the mess of fly-away dusty soil.

Plant your plants as you like. Use a wood skewer, chopsticks, long tweezers, or a long pencil to help move the plants and soil around. These tools really help with tall terrariums and those with narrow openings.

Using a paintbrush on the inside of a terrarium to clean debris off the sides.

You can also use a dry paintbrush to clean up the sides.

Top view of an open terrarium showing a button fern and a mini orchid.

Open Terraium Suggested Plants

Plants that make good candidates for this project are those that enjoy moisture and a humid environment but don't need to be constantly watered.

mini orchid (phalaenopsis)
small ferns (lemon button fern shown here)
pilea plant
baby tears
moss from your yard
other miniature houseplants with interesting foliage

Using Succulents in an Open Terrarium

Many people are using succulents or cacti in open terrariums. I'm a little wary of this idea as succulents like a dry environment. This would be ok in a short walled dish garden with a fully open top. However, this terrarium has tall sides and will hold humidity.

Still, I decided to try adding a couple of baby sempervivums in the terrarium from an outdoor planter. Sempervivum aka "hens and chicks" are very hardy and should be okay with some humidity as long as the soil doesn't get too wet.

What Else Can You Put in the Terrarium?

Cute small figurines such as mushrooms or fairies for decoration.
Decorative preserved moss
Decorative rocks or crystals

How to Care for Your Open Terrarium

Watering Needs

You only need to water this terrarium about once a month. Just keep an eye on it. If you see condensation wait to water. If the moss or any of the plants look dry use a watering bottle to direct some water to the area.

Lighting Needs:

The amount of light this open terrarium will depend on the plants more than anything. However, a good rule of thumb is to make sure it's in a spot where there is bright indirect light for a good portion of the day.

Maintenance

Trim any damaged or unsightly leaves at any time.
Keep an eye out for any pests or diseases.
The main issue that will come up is growth. Eventually, some or all of the plants will outgrow the terrarium. You can replace them, or try pruning or dividing some, and repotting them into the terrarium.

Open terrarium with an bright pink orchid, a fern, moss and other plants on a side table with a large lamp.

A little tiny garden inside glass is so pretty. I'm loving the way this little beauty looks in our living room.

More Terrarium Ideas

Open terrarium with a fern and pink orchid on a table next to a lamp.

Home to Make an Open Terrarium

Here's an easy way to bring a little plant beauty indoor with an open terrarium complete with a fern, moss, a mini orchid, and a few other great plants to enjoy at home.

Prep Time10

Active Time1

Yield:

Cost: $50

Equipment

wooden skewer or chopsticks
Paintbrush
small watering bottle

Materials

1 large glass vessel open at the top
gravel or small rocks
activated charcoal pellets
soilless mix potting soil
plants
moss from your yard or preserved moss

Instructions

Pour .5 - 1 inch layer of decorative rocks or gravel at the bottom of the glass vase.
Add a layer of charcoal pellets on top.
Water the soil first. Then add 1.5 to 2 inches on top of the charcoal.
Plant your terrarium plants in the soil using a wooden skewer or chopsticks to help move items around.
Add some moss around the plants.
Water in the plants and moss.
Use a paintbrush to clean up the sides of the terrarium.

Notes

Make sure to water the soil in a bowl first before planting. This will get your terrarium off to a good start and will cut down on the mess of fly away dusty soil.

Depending on the plants you've used in this terrarium you will only need to water the terrarium once a month maybe less. Keep an eye on them to see if anything looks dry and use a watering bottle to pinpoint the water in the area you want to water.

Moss though it grows great outside may dry out too much in this terrarium. If you have some growing outside and want to give it a try do so. However, you could also purchase some preserved moss for decoration to add to the terrarium.