Terrariums

Introduction
A terrarium is a living plant growing inside a sealed glass
container. In this presentation I will explain all about
planting, soil, tools, plants, containers, care and the
history of terrariums. Terrariums are often a miniature
landscape under glass in the form of a woodland, a
desert, a tropical jungle or your own collection of
plants.

History of Terrariums
In 1827 the terrarium was
invented by Nathaniel
Ward, a London doctor.
He came over this
invention because his
outdoor plants would
not live in the polluted
air of London, he
discovered that he
could make miniature
greenhouses which was
then named fern cases.

Indoor Wardian Case

Horticulturists were
able to bring back
sensitive tropical
plants in Wardian
cases to be wellprotected from salt,
air, and changing
climatic conditions
during the long sea
voyage.

Accessories
Rocks
Gravel
Wood
Seed pots
Bark
Ceramic figures
Frogs
Mushrooms
Snails

Tools

Only a few tools are necessary for planting the

terrarium.
Long sticks, either bamboo or inch dowling.
The length depends on the height of the
container being used.
Large kitchen spoon for placing soil and
drainage material
Atomizer or bulb-type sprayer will be useful for
watering the terrarium.
A stick with a wire loop on the end will be
helpful for lowering plants into large containers
with small tops.

Containers
A terrarium container must be made from clear glass or
plastic. Tinted or cloudy glass greatly reduces light and
interferes with plant growth.
Any type of clear container may be used:
empty fish bowls
fish tanks
brandy snifters
old glass jars
jugs
bottles
containers specially designed for terrariums.

Containers Cont.

All closed containers should have transparent covers.

Containers with small openings are okay. Containers

with large openings without covers can be used but will
require more frequent watering.

Open terrariums are drier and less subject to disease.

Soil

Soil for terrariums must be clean, well

drained and high in organic matter.
Potting soils sold at garden centers
and nurseries where plant supplies are
sold are sterilized and ready for use.
To prepare your own soil, mix one part
peat moss with one part rich garden
soil.
Make sure the soil is moist before
sterilization. Place it in an oven at
about 200 degrees until the soil is
thoroughly heated.

Plants

Many plants are suitable for growing in

terrariums.
They are kept small in terrariums by
cutting back the tips.
Dont mix plants requiring widely
different conditions.
Cacti are less desirable for terrariums
since moist conditions promote rot.
Dont mix desert plants with moistureloving tropicals.

Plants That Can Be Used

African violet (Saintpaulia spp.)
Airplant (Kalanchoe pinnata)
Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierii)
Baby tears (Helxine soleirolii)
Begonia (Begonia spp.)
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema spp.)
Jade plant (Crassula argentea)
Swedish ivy (Plectranthes australis)
And many more

Planting
1.
2.
3.

4.

5.

Place a inch layer of small gravel in

bottom.
Sprinkle some activated charcoal on top.
Fill to proper height with a good draining
potting soil. If soil clumps when
squeezed, add some perlite, or vermiculite
to lighten it up.
Install plants. The number will depend on
the size of the plants, and the container.
Dont over plant. Leave room to grow. Push
the soil aside, place a plant in the
depression, and firm the soil around it.
Water lightly. (3 or 4 ounces)

Making Your Own

Different Terrariums
Snowflake terrarium

Globe terrarium

The teardrop
Bite terrarium

Terrarium Tables

Millennium Terrarium Pictures

Height
Since low plants are preferred, more emphasis is placed
on small plants. Some of these are creeping or climbing
vines that may grow tall, but with limited height in the
terrarium they form a groundcover. Most plants over 12
inches need to be cut back.

Light
Most plants in the medium light category require good
light near a window or less light from a window with
artificial light. The terrarium should be placed within
several feet of a bright window, but not in direct sun.

Temperature

Most tropical plants are suited for common house

temperatures. At night 65 degrees is ideal, day
temperatures normally should be about 75 degrees.

Woodland terrariums should have nighttime

temperatures about 50 to 55 degrees. Day temperatures
also should be cool but are not as critical.

Care after planting

A closed terrarium will not need to be watered

for four to six months.
Do not replace the cover until the leaves have
dried.
Open terrariums need occasional watering not
as often as houseplants.
Watering should always be light.
Its better to be a little too dry than too wet.
Many plants out grow the terrarium.
With a little trimming these plants can be
brought into bounds.

Care after planting cont.

Frequently pinching out tips before a

plant becomes too tall will result in
more balanced growth than
infrequent, more severe cutbacks.
Do not plan to fertilize for at least a
year after planting.
If the plants are yellowish without any
reason, fertilize very lightly with a
water-soluble houseplant fertilizer at
about one-tenth the rate
recommended for normal houseplants.

Replacing plants

Occasionally it may be necessary to

replace plants
Some foliage plants that do well in a
small-mouthed terrariums include
creeping fig (Ficus pumila) Ti plant
(Cordyline terminalis) Ribbon plant
(Dracaena sanderiana) Earth star
(Cryptanthus acaulis) Prayer plants
(Maranta species). Do not use ferns
they will take over a terrarium.

Dish gardens
Dish gardens are
arrangements of
flowers in a normal
planting dish although
there are many
different decorative
dishes. Open terrariums
provide higher humidity
for plants than dish
gardens do.