If you lot're interested in testing out your green thumb, but don't have the space to do so, a DIY terrarium is simply what y'all need. These mini tabletop gardens are fun to create and are a swell way to perk up your indoor space.

In improver to being enjoyable and decorative, terrariums are likewise easy to treat and simply cute. It's a DIY win-win. Whether you're looking for a decor element to bring the outdoors in or a unique gift idea, consider making a DIY terrarium.

Before you go started creating your ain, you may be wondering: what exactly is a terrarium?

What is a Terrarium?

A terrarium is a collection of modest, decorative plants growing in an enclosed surround. Terrarium containers are typically transparent and provide an opening big enough to permit the gardener to access the plants within. The best part about a DIY terrarium is that you get to create something 1-of-a-kind.

We've got you covered with everything you need to know near how to make a terrarium. From definition and inspiration to cosmos and intendance, y'all'll be enjoying your miniature garden in no fourth dimension at all. Before yous roll upwards your sleeves, let'due south make sure you have all the supplies yous'll need to get started.

DIY Terrarium Supplies

how to make a terrarium supplies

  • Drinking glass Vessel– You lot'll need some sort of glass vessel to create your terrarium. There are plenty of unique containers from which to cull. Merely make sure that the vessel is made of a transparent material then you can bask your mini-garden.
  • Small Stones or Pebbles– Pocket-sized stones or pebbles volition exist used as the base of your terrarium. The small pebbles act equally water drainage for the plants' roots to ensure that excess water doesn't stay in the soil and cause rot.
  • Activated Charcoal – Y'all won't need much; a thin layer of activated charcoal keeps water fresh and helps to fight off bacterial growth in your terrarium.
  • Potting Soil – Potting soil volition act as an important layer for your DIY terrarium. Any type of soil should practice the fob, although there are special mixes available if you're planting cacti or succulents.
  • Plants – Information technology wouldn't be a terrarium without the greenery. Selection out a few of your favorite pint-sized plants to utilize in your terrarium. Air plants, succulents and mini-cacti are all viable options. See our complete listing of recommended terrarium plants below.
  • Modest Gardening Tools – Having small tools handy volition aid y'all create and situate all of the items in your DIY terrarium.

Best Plants for Your DIY Terrarium

diy terrarium plants

When selecting plants to use for your DIY terrarium, in that location are a few things yous should keep in mind:

  • Select plants that are modest enough for your glass vessel. Y'all won't want whatsoever greenery touching the sides of your container and making your terrarium feel cramped.
  • Plants that do well with humidity are most likely to thrive in your terrarium. Although succulents and cacti aren't humidity's biggest fans, y'all can recoup by using a glass container with a slight opening, similar the one we used for this tutorial.

Any plants y'all select, yous can keep them healthy by mimicking their natural environment in your terrarium. Nosotros recommend choosing a few from the list below:

  • Air plant Tillandsia stricta
  • Moon Valley Pilea involucrata
  • Starfish plant Cypthathus bivittatus
  • Nervus plant Fittonia verschaffeltii var. argyoneura
  • Assorted succulents
  • Assorted cacti

Once you lot've picked out the perfect plants, information technology's time to get started. Follow our footstep-past-step guidelines below and you'll exist on your mode to creating your own decorative garden in no time at all.

How to Brand a Terrarium Stride-by-Pace

Project Time: 30 mins

how to make a terrarium step 1

Step 1: Cover the bottom of your terrarium with a i ½ inch-thick layer of small stones or pebbles.

The lesser layer of modest pebbles will human action as drainage for your terrarium.

how to make a terrarium step 2

Step 2: Add a very thin layer of activated charcoal.

The activated charcoal volition keep water fresh and fight off any bacterial growth in your terrarium.

how to make a terrarium step 3

Step 3: Add a layer of potting soil.

As we mentioned, any potting soil mix will exercise, although if you're planting succulents or cacti there are specialized mixes you can utilize. You lot'll want to add enough potting soil so that it's deep plenty for your plants to root into information technology. Nosotros recommend a layer that'southward nearly 2 ½ inches. For this particular terrarium, we used 2 inches of potting soil.

how to make a terrarium step 4

Footstep 4: Now information technology'south fourth dimension to add your plants.

  • Start by planting your largest plant kickoff. Remove the plant from its container and prune the roots equally yous would when repotting any establish.
  • And so, make a hole in the soil large enough to fit the plants' roots.
  • Side by side, nestle the plant into the soil. Information technology'south easiest to work your way from the dorsum to the front of your terrarium. At that place's no rhyme or reason to the design of your terrarium, play around with the organization and don't forget to have fun!

Pro Tip: Use gloves when treatment cactus or whatever other prickly plant.

how to make a terrarium step 5

Pace 5: After all of your plants are arranged in your glass vessel, complete the look with a layer of pebbles.

You can too opt to add some personality to your terrarium with miniature gnomes or trinkets.

how to make a terrarium

In one case your terrarium is complete, you'll need to take proper care of it. Sunlight and water are two essential items for the success of your terrarium.

  • Be sure to lightly h2o the base every two weeks or once the soil looks like information technology has dried out.
  • You lot should as well brandish your terrarium in an area that receives a lot of bright, indirect sunlight.

Terrariums look great displayed amid a variety of houseplants or on their own. If you lot don't experience like gathering the supplies to create your ain, you can utilise our charming terrarium kit to assist yous create a whimsical scene.

how to make a terrarium