How to make a terrarium? Create a Beautiful DIY Terrarium!

Terrariums have become very popular home decorations. Not only are they extremely easy to make, but they also adapt to any style of decoration. Terrariums look incredibly impressive, and are sure to wow anyone who visits your home. They require minimal effort, which is good news for busy bees. If you want to give someone a piece of nature, a terrarium is a brilliant idea. It is a perfect housewarming or wedding gift. Learn how to make a terrarium. We have prepared proven methods so that you can make one effortlessly.

What is a terrarium? A small forest in a glass

Plants should be present in every home. Living in a city means very limited contact with nature. For this reason, indoor plants for many are absolutely necessary elements for interior decoration. They have a calming effect on the human body. Terrariums are perfect for this purpose - a miniature garden is a closed ecosystem that looks like a piece of a real forest. Observing what happens inside the crystal is a very relaxing activity.

The plant terrarium was first invented in the Victorian era by the English doctor Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward. His glass container had a rectangular shape and was known as the war case. It was designed to transport plants during long trips abroad.

Is the container an important part of a terrarium?

Regardless of the shape of the container, all terrariums work in the same way. A microclimate develops inside the sealed container. That keeps the organisms inside alive. Because the entire construction is airtight, the outside weather does not affect them.

How to choose the right terrarium plants?

Making your own terrarium does not require any special skills. All you need is your own creativity. It is worth learning some tips that will help you make a perfect and long-lasting terrarium. One of the most important issues when setting up a bottle garden is choosing the right plants. Keep in mind that not all species will live together in harmony.

Setting up a terrarium, you have two options. You can make a closed terrarium and seal the container so that the plants thrive in their own climate. You can also make an open decoration that needs to be watered from time to time. The type of plants you will choose depends on this decision.

Closed containers can contain tropical plants and those that like humidity. Slow-growing plants will be the best option, they will not change their appearance much for a long time.

Compositions within closed terrariums can use species such as:

• fern,

• moss,

• peace lily,

• rubber Plant,

• hedera (ivy),

• pilea,

• glechoma (ground ivy).

Please note that in some states it is illegal to collect moss from a forest. If you're not sure if you can collect moss in your country, it may be a better idea to buy it from a florist. You can also pick it up in your own garden, if you are the owner.

DIY terrarium - decorations

Apart from plants, you should pick up some decoration items for your terrarium. For a closed terrarium it is better to use:

• Rocks and pebbles,

• Tree bark,

• Cones,

• Small branches.

If your composition will be placed in an open container, you will need to choose plants such as cacti and succulents. You have free choice in this matter. For a good visual effect it is good to combine plants with interesting shapes. For example, you could choose echeverias that look like roses and lithops. The only restriction for your terrarium is not to pair plants that live in different environments, for example ferns with succulents.

How to make a terrarium?

Before you start preparing the composition in your terrarium, you must gather all the relevant equipment. In addition to the right plants you will also need:

A glass container… the container can have any shape. If the plants you picked up like moisture, the container needs a tight-fitting lid. The size of the container should match the scale of the plants. It is worth choosing a larger container for your terrarium, so that the plants have some room to grow. You can choose any container that is made of glass - a large mason jar, wide-necked bottles, or even old incandescent light bulbs (remember to remove the filament inside).

Soil - all kinds of potting soil can be used, however any other type will do. Make sure it is free of diseases and fungus. If your terrarium is going to contain succulents, you should probably use soil specifically made for them.

Activated charcoal - you can buy this at the drug store or pet store. The charcoal will regulate the humidity level in a closed container. It will also prevent the plants from rotting. You can skip this part in case of an open container.

Gravel or sand - the terrarium needs a drainage layer. materials such as sand or gravel collect excess water and protect the roots from moisture. You can also use keramite for this purpose.

Make a terrarium

If you have prepared all the necessary items, you can start making your do-it-yourself terrarium project. It is good to protect your work space with old newspapers. This will minimize cleanup after your job is done.

• Wash the containers and sterilize them with hot water. The glass must be perfectly dry. If you are not sure that the drainage material and soil are clean, you can dry it in an oven. This will kill any fungus or bacteria.

• Place the first layer - the drainage - in the bottom of the container. The layer of gravel or sand should be a few centimeters thick, 2-5 cm.

• The second layer is activated carbon. Skip this step in case of an open decoration.

• Put the soil in the container. It should be 5 to 10 cm. You can smooth the surface with your hands. Take care not to stain the glass walls, as it is difficult to clean once the plants are inside.

• Dig several holes in the ground and put the plants in them. Cover the roots with soil and press it down with your hands or a spoon. If you are planting a cactus, wear heavy gloves to avoid the risk of injuring yourself on sharp spikes.

• Place the decorations - cones, pebbles, tree bark and moss. Do not place heavy stones on top of the moss, as this could cause it to rot.

• The last stage is watering the terrarium. It is better to use a pipette and pour about 10-15 milliliters of water. Then close the container well (if it is a closed terrarium).

How do you plant a terrarium?

The terrarium should be placed in a bright but not sunny place. After a few days you should notice water on the walls of your closed terrarium. If the evaporation process is too intense, you can open the container for a few hours and then close it again. On the other hand, if you don't notice any water on the walls within 2 weeks, pour about 2 milliliters of water on the floor. You can repeat this until the water begins to noticeably evaporate.

If you have done everything correctly, the microclimate should work properly, and your terrarium does not need any special attention. Only open compositions should be watered regularly. If you notice that in your closed terrarium the humidity level has dropped significantly, just pour 2-5 ml of water. It should be enough for at least a year. The first signs that it is too dry in the container are the yellow leaves of the plants.

The plants in your terrarium can also be attacked by pests. They are often washed away by dirt or moss.

If you noticed any insects, use the appropriate insecticide. The problem should resolve after several days of treatment.

The terrarium is a beautiful decoration. It does not require much effort to care for it, it is self-sufficient. A big advantage is the fact that it is very easy to do. If you don't have time or motivation to prepare it, you can buy it at a florist. Such an attractive and unusual composition is definitely worth having.

Buy a terrarium? It's also a great idea!

Not having luck with plants and so you're worried that even a terrarium is too much for your abilities? But at the same time you really like these decorations and you don't want to give them up. You do not have to do it. You can buy plants in glass containers, already very well arranged. Many florists offer this type of product. All you have to do is browse through the different options, choose the size of the decoration and follow the helpful care tips. It has to go well!

How to make terrarium plants?

To make a terrarium you only need a glass container, a few plants and some soil. The terrarium contains several layers: drainage, potting soil, plants, and decorations. There are special DIY courses organized in big cities, where you can learn how to make such decorations.

How do you take care of a terrarium?

The terrarium should be self-sufficient, with a few exceptions. Open terrarium plants must be watered regularly. Closed terrariums should not be opened.

How to make a terrarium in a bottle?

Start by placing the soil in your bottle terrarium, and then use long, thin sticks (for example, toothpicks) to put the plants inside. You could compress the moss to squeeze it through the bottleneck.

How to grow moss in a terrarium?

The key to growing moss in a terrarium is to recreate its natural conditions. Check what humidity levels are best for the moss you own. Water it regularly if the moss is placed in an open terrarium.