Info & Care Sheets

• DIY Terrarium

  Terrariums are a fun way to add plants to your environment. You can create a terrarium in just about any clear container. For this particular project, I made mine in a lantern that I purchased at a well-known, over-whelmingly large furniture store. You could create one in a candle holder, a vase, mason jars, candy jars, I’ve even seen one in the base of a lamp! The potential container should have a no cover or a cover that can be removed so you can water the terrarium.

  There are a few things you’ll need to get started…

  • Soil – a High quality sterile soil is preferred. The best kind to use is a peat-lite mix because it’s light and well drained.
  • Charcoal – If you’re using a jar or some other container that doesn’t have holes to drain water, you’ll need this. Linder’s carries horticultural charcoal specifically for containers without drainage.
  • Sand or Gravel – This will add extra drainage.
  • Sphagnum Moss – This will go at the very bottom of the container to act as a sponge.
  • Soil Cover – (optional) Grab some river rocks, colored moss or use the left over sphagnum moss to add a more decorative look to your terrarium.
  • Plants – this is obvious. However, the kinds of plants that you should use is not so obvious. Linder’s carries the cutest little plants specifically for Terrariums and mini-gardens. They come in the tiny pots with a tiny price!
  • Container – as mentioned earlier, there are a number of options. Use anything you’d like or pick up a container at your favorite garden center.

  Now that you have everything you need, it’s time to put it all together.

  1. Prepare the base Arrange a layer of sphagnum moss on the bottom of the container.
  Next, add a thin layer of the sand/gravel.
  Then spread a half-inch layer of charcoal chips on top of the sand.
  Finally, top the charcoal layer with 1-2 inches of soil.
  2. Add the plants:  If you have a hard time maneuvering or can’t fit your hand in the container, use a tweezers or a straightened coat hanger with aloop on one end. Be careful not to damage the plant roots. Once the plant is in place, firm a little additional soil around the base.
  3. Add the finishing touches: now is the time to add your soil cover if you have some. You can be as creative as you’d like with this. Turn it into a Fairy Garden or create a little path with rocks through it.

  Taking Care of your Terrarium Terrariums are perfect for indoors because they like indirect sunlight. A north or north-east facing window is great. Add water only when the soil is starting to dry but only sparingly. I used the sprayer on my sink with the water turned down low to water mine. If the glass looks misty, if water pools at the bottom or if mold forms on the surface, the moisture level is too high. If you terrarium has a cover, remove it for a day to dry it out a little bit. Most of the high quality fertilizers already container fertilizer, so you won’t need to add any more. If your plant begin to outgrow the container, trim them back to keep their shape. Enjoy your terrarium all year long!

  
  

   

  Posted on January 2, 2013

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