A Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Terrarium

If you wish to test your green thumb but space constraints in your house act as a deterrent, try your hand at making your own mini tabletop garden or terrarium. It adds color to your interiors as well as brings the outdoors right inside your home. So let’s make a list of all that you need and to get you started.

Glass Vessel: There are unique vessels or containers available. Choose one which lets you see your terrarium and enjoy your mini-garden.

Pebbles or Small Stones: You will need this for the terrarium’s base. It will also help in water drainage and ensure that excess water does not soak the soil completely and makes the plants rot.

Activated Charcoal (just a thin layer): This will fight off bacterial growth in the terrarium and keep the water fresh.

Any Type of Potting Soil: Although any variety of potting soil can be used, special mixes are also recommended for succulents or cacti.

Pint-Sized Plants: Pick out your favorite terrarium plants. You could opt for succulents, mini-cacti, and air plants.

Little Gardening Tools: Keep miniature tools handy to create and position all the items you wish to add to the vessel.

Remember to choose plants that DO NOT TOUCH the vessel’s sides and do well in humidity. Although cacti and succulents are not known to survive humid conditions well, use a glass container that has a slight opening to overcome this problem. You can also choose plants like the Starfish Plant and the Nerve Plant.

Step 1 — Create the bottom layer with an inch and a half-thick layer of pebbles or small stones.

Step 2 — Add an extremely thin layer of activated charcoal.

Step 3 — Add a layer of specially mixed soil or potting soil but make sure the layer is deep enough for the roots of the plant.

Step 4 — Now add your largest plant first by removing it from the container it came in and pruning the roots. Make a deep hole in the soil to fit the roots of the plant. Arrange all the plants you’ve selected according to the design you wish to create. Do remember to use gloves if you’re handling any prickly plant like cacti.

Step 5 — Top it all off with trinkets, miniature gnomes, or a layer of pebbles.

Lightly water the terrarium’s base every two weeks or if the soil looks dry, and keep it in an area that receives plenty of bright but indirect sunlight.

If you want to skip the “gathering the supplies” bit, use terrarium kits that are easily available and give your creativity a free hand. So whether you wish to add to the decor of your home aesthetically or want to gift something unique to your family and friends, a DIY terrarium can always work in your favor.