How to Create a Closed Terrarium

Hey there! Terrariums are so cool, whether open or closed. Today I am building a closed Terrarium, which is exciting because I get to grow ferns. There are only a few ferns that I can keep alive in my house, so I’m looking forward to growing these testy plants in a Terrarium. So how do you create a closed Terrarium? It starts by gathering your materials.

Needs:

1. Wide mouth plastic or glass jug or bottle with a lid
2. Gravel or small pebbles
3. Potting soil
4. Plants that like humidity
5. Decor (figurines, etc)
6. Natural materials (moss, sticks, wood, rocks)
7. Sheet moss
8. Orchid bark
9. Perlite

To begin, you want to make sure that your vessel is clean, especially if you are reusing a plastic or glass jug or jar. Now it’s time to add our layers of drainage. Each layer is about 1/2 inch thick, excluding the soil layer and the sheet moss layers.

Add your gravel to the bottom. Using gravel as the first layer allows a place for water to drain and rest.

The next layer I’m adding is Orchid bark. This is another layer that allows for water drainage. Drainage is so important in a terrarium just like in potted plants, you don’t want the roots sitting in soggy soil.

Lay down sheet moss in a thin layer until the surface is covered. The sheet moss is great because it holds in all of the soil, allowing only water to pass through.

This next layer of Perlite was one I decided to add last minute for aesthetics, but it also adds another layer of drainage.

Lastly, add 2-3 inches of potting soil, more if needed.

Now’s the time for the fun part, planting! Place your plants in a formation that’s aesthetically pleasing to you! Once you have your plants planted, it’s time to add the extras. In this Terrarium, I am adding live moss, rocks and pieces of bark found outside in my garden.

Once you’ve got your pieces all set, it’s time to water it all in! Make sure you see the water running to the bottom and that your potting soil is saturated. You will want to water the sides of the vessel and not directly on your plants.

When it’s all said and done, you should not have to add water to this Terrarium if you keep the lid closed. If you choose a glass lid terrarium, you will likely need to water again at some point. It it hard to say without knowing the size of the vessel, materials and plants used. Best advice is to keep an eye out for dry soil and or wilting plants.

Now that you’ve got your Terrarium planted and watered, set it in a space where you and your guests can enjoy!

Happy Gardening,

Ciearra