Terrarium workshop

A terrarium is a glass container used for growing and displaying plants. They
are a great way to bring the outdoors in, can be made in almost any type of
container, and are very easy to care for!

1. Decide which sorts of plants you would like to use.

Humidity loving plants like ferns, mosses and small indoor plants work well
together in a closed terrarium, while succulents and cacti can be paired
together in an open terrarium. It is best not to combine these two groups, as
their needs are very different.
Example plants for a closed terrarium
Mosses
Ferns
Aluminium Plant (Pilea cadieri)
Spreading club moss (Selaginella kraussiana)
African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
Babys Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
Mosaic Plant (Fittonia verschaffeltii)
Peperomia (Peperomia spp.)
Arrowhead (Syngonium spp.)
Friendship Plant (Pilea spp.)
Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes spp.)
Example plants for an open terrarium
Air Plant (Tillandsia spp.)
Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum spp. or Echeveria spp.)
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Jelly Bean Plant (Sedum rubrotinctum)
Essentially any type of succulent or cactus!

2. Choose a container.
If you are using plants from the first group, your jar can be closed or open
(note that if it is open, it will need more frequent watering). If you are using
plants from the second group, your jar must be open as succulents and cacti
do not tolerate high humidity.

Examples of suitable containers

Purpose built terrarium jars
Fish bowls

Food storage jars

http://www.drinkstuff.com/productimg/43956_large.jpg
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/50213546/
http://www.shopterrain.com/product/hanging-
bubble-terrarium

Oralmost anything else!

3. Get your supplies.

You will need:
Stones or gravel
Potting mix (can be mixed with coconut coir to improve drainage, which
is especially good for succulents and cacti)
Activated charcoal
Decorative elements (optional)
Plants!

4. Assemble your terrarium.

Optional:
Depending on
the look you are
going for, you
can add a layer
of dry moss to
prevent soil
falling into the
rocks.

Add a layer of stones

or pebbles to the
bottom of the jar to
provide drainage.
Most plants do not like
having wet feet!

Add potting mix.

Add activated
charcoal, which
helps to filter out
toxins/pathogens.

Add your plants! Ensure that they are

planted at the correct depth, with their
roots covered and their stems not buried
(otherwise they could rot). Think about
the layout before you begin, and dont
overdo it! Remember that they will grow
bigger, and its OK to leave some space
for them to fill up with time.
Add any decorative elements, such as
rocks or figurines.

Water with a spray bottle just

enough to moisten the soil. If
water starts accumulating in the
drainage layer, thats a sign to
stop!

5. Caring for your terrarium.

Terrariums are very low maintenance, but they do need some care
from time to time.
Most terrarium plants are suited to a location with filtered light, such as
on a coffee table or shelf. Succulent/cacti terrariums prefer more light
(e.g. a windowsill or outside).
Getting the balance of water right in a closed terrarium can be tricky,
but once youve found it, you will rarely need to water. If there is a lot of
water at the base of the jar or accumulating on the walls, leave the lid
off for a while to let it dry out.
Succulent/cacti terrariums generally need watering every two weeks or
so, depending on the conditions they are in (e.g. if you have heating on
they will dry out more quickly).
Remove any diseased or mouldy plants immediately so that they do
not infect other plants.
Trim plants to keep them to the desired size.
Terrariums very rarely need to be fertilised. Only consider doing this,
with a diluted organic fertiliser (like fish emulsion), after at least a year,
and only if the plants are showing visible signs of deficiency such as
yellowing leaves.