This DIY terrarium is a great easy indoor project. Perfect for plant lovers and beginner gardeners as they will last for a long time.
Indoor gardening can be just as fun as digging in the dirt. So when the weather outside is too hot or too cold creating a closed terrarium may just be what the doctor ordered.
Here’s the best part. They are really easy to make and they last a long time with little or hardly any effort.
Did you ever hear of a Wardian Case? They are precursors to terrariums named after the inventor, Dr. Nathaniel Ward a 19-century physician and plant lover. Today they are more like mini-greenhouses and make a beautiful addition to your home decor.
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What goes in a terrarium?
- Large glass jar with a lid
- Gravel or pebbles
(enough to line the bottom of the jar)
- Potting soil (make sure that it is a nice soilless mix)
- 2-3 small plants
(I got mine at Lowes, button fern, begonia, baby tears)
Steps for the DIY Terrarium
- Give your jar a good washing and dry it well.
- Add a layer of pebbles to the bottom.
3. Next, add your potting soil. Just enough to plant in.
4. Then carefully add your plants. You may need to trim some of the roots to make them fit properly.
Also, you may only want to put a portion of the plant in, which makes this the perfect project to do with a friend or even your kids, making each plant a two for one, or even three for one deal.
Here’s a tip: use the eraser end of a pencil to help move things around and tamp in the soil.
5. Finally, give your new garden a small drink of water and close the lid.
The moisture will condense and re-water itself, meaning you will hardly ever have to water again.
What types of plants grow best in a closed terrarium?
Most plants that love humidity grow well in this type of terrarium.
- ferns
- baby tears
- polka dot plant
- aluminum plant
- begonias
Succulents are not a good idea for a closed terrarium as they do not need the extra moisture and will start to eventually rot. You can try growing succulents in an open-air terrarium. Just make sure you use a succulent potting mix, add plenty of gravel for drainage and be very careful with watering.
Finally, you could add some interesting miniature figurines, rocks or driftwood depending on your container size.
Go to town, make it yours and watch it thrive.
P.S. You may also like my post with 7 different terrariums that my garden blogging friends made. Some of them are closed like this but some are open terrariums for plants that need dry conditions to thrive. And, for those of you who like fairy gardens and moss try this fairy garden terrarium project.
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Julie Briones says
Love this, Patti, and perfect for a small home that has no yard area (like me!). Pinned! Would love to have you link-up at Homestyle Gathering! 😉
Susan says
I love terrariums! Not only because they are cute, but because I can protect my plants from my cat (and my cat from harmful plants!).
Patti Estep says
Thanks Susan. We had cats for years and I never had problems with them eating my plants and I guess that’s a good thing since many are harmful. Terrariums are a good alternative for sure.
Carole West says
This is cute and that jar is awesome. Something about glass jars grabs my attention every time. When I was a kid I made terrariums with my grandmother. It was normally during the winter when we couldn’t get outside to work. I however had never had much luck with them. House plants and me just don’t click. But I’m working on that … Lol
Patti Estep says
Thanks Carole. I think if you get plants that love moisture and use a covered container they are really easy. Definitely, something to try again.
Kalliste says
I love the idea of terrariums, I want one with a rock or two and some moss plus a little plant or something.
One thing I’ve been concerned about though is mould. How do you stop them going mouldy?
Patti says
It shouldn’t get moldy. Maybe try and be sure that whatever you put in (rocks) and the original container are pretty clean to start with and that the terrarium gets some light. The one I made during the winter is doing better than ever and I have touched. It kind of amazing. Thanks again for visiting. Have a great weekend.