A DIY terrarium (mini indoor greenhouse) is a quick and easy project that anyone can do. You can make them using old glass jars or containers.
I recently created some terrariums on a MyKC Live TV segment and wanted to share a step-by-step blog tutorial as well.
I like to use containers that I get for free from my local Buy Nothing Facebook group. It makes me happy to reuse items that could otherwise end up in landfill.
Making a terrarium is also a great science lesson for kids to learn about ecosystems. Terrariums are their own ecosystem, and there are two types – open and closed.
A closed terrarium has everything it needs to thrive: Soil for nutrients, and recycled air and water. The plants and soil release water vapor and is condensed to create a water cycle. They’re usually created in transparent, sealable containers.
Open terrariums are exposed to the outside air and usually need to be watered. all terrariums work best in bright, indirect sunlight.
Supplies needed for a DIY open terrarium / indoor garden
Glass containers
Rocks or pebbles
Horticultural (activated) charcoal
Soil
Plants
Moss
Decorative rocks/crystals, gnomes, etc (optional)
Glass cloche or a closed terrarium set
You could also just buy a terrarium kit
For my first open terrarium I started with a larger glass container and filled it with a 1″ pebble layer.
Since terrariums don’t have a drainage hole, pebbles or rocks on the bottom prevent the ecosystem from building up stagnant soil moisture.
The next terrarium layer is horticultural (activated) charcoal – I usually add about 1″.
Activated charcoal can help terrariums in a number of ways:
- Filters toxins and bacteria and acts as a filter, pulling toxins and bacteria from the soil and water. This can help prevent odors and reduce the possibility of root rot.
- Absorbs water
- Improves soil structure by increasing its water-holding capacity.
Soil can be added in next, which helps stabilize the terrarium, providing a strong base for plants.
It also provides a habitat for beneficial microorganisms and creates a healthy ecosystem. It also retains water, which helps promote healthy plant growth.
Add your plants
You can plant succulents (or similar) in open terrariums since they don’t thrive well in a humid closed terrarium. I chose to plant a small fern and nerve plant in mine since I didn’t have any live succulents on hand.
Finally place in moss, small rocks/crystals, gnomes, driftwood (anything you wish) to add some personality and whimsy.
I made a simple closed terrarium using the supplies mentioned above + a glass cloche and potted nerve plant. You can also purchase a closed terrarium set.
Humidity-loving tropical plants work great for closed terrariums.
When closed off to open air, terrariums maintain a very moist atmosphere. Plants that love humidity (nerve plants, spider plants, snake plants, lilies, ferns, orchids, etc) will thrive in these conditions.
I placed my potted nerve plant in the center of my glass cloche and within minutes you could see the humidity start to build inside the terrarium.
As you can see, making a DIY terrarium is very quick and easy.
I made two more open terrariums following all the steps shown above. For this one, I mixed in a couple faux succulents with the real plants.
In this unique shaped container, I planted a couple Peperomia Obtusifolia plants that I propagated.
I think they all turned out pretty cute, and I’m happy with my easy DIY terrariums.
I used a plastic cloche above for my TV segment for easier transport.
My daughter and I regularly do TV segment together, which I always enjoy! 🙂
P.S. If real plants aren’t your thing try my DIY rock cactus project – perfect for kids.
My DIY ring planter is a fun DIY container for real or faux plants.
