Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium

31 May

I have wanted to add to my plant collection since we moved to the new house. This house has lots of big windows and I love the look of beautiful, luscious plants as part of the decor.


I have added a couple of air plants, a string of pearls, and I just planted my first terrarium. I also joined a terrarium Facebook group to help with my beginner questions. Wow, you should see some of the terrariums in this group (Closed Terrariums)


Popular in the 1970s, terrariums are making a comeback. They are usually created in glass containers and can be open or closed (lids or no lids). 


Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium


Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium

I'm calling this a beginner's terrarium because it really was quite easy to create. We will see how easy it is to keep alive 😬


I've been thinking of creating one for a while, but when I found this large glass container recently at Goodwill for just $4.99, that's when I decided to pull the trigger!


Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium

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Beginner Terrarium Supplies


Step One: Wash and dry your selected container.

Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium

Step Two: Add a layer of small rocks, aquarium gravel works great. I found mine at Target's Dollar Spot last year.

This layer will act as a drainage layer since your container will not have drainage holes but if your container is glass, choose something pretty! Make this layer about 2 inches deep depending on the size and shape of your container (A tall, slender container will require a deeper layer).

Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium


Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium


Step Three: Add a thin layer of activated charcoal. Make this layer 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch deep.


The charcoal will help with drainage and any odors.


Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium

Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium

Step Four (Optional): Add a layer of sheet moss. I think this step is optional, I've seen some tutorials say to use a layer between the charcoal/gravel layer and the potting soil layer. It serves two purposes... additional drainage and keeping the soil from mixing in with the gravel. 


I did not do this but I think next time I will.


Step Five: Add the potting soil. The type of soil you use will depend on the kinds of plants you choose but it should be sterilized, well-draining, and have no added fertilizer.

Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium


Make sure it is deep enough for the plants to have room for the roots.


Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium


Step Six: Add the plants! You may need to separate and prune the roots a bit if they are root bound in their nursery pots.

Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium

Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium

Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium

Step Seven:
 Add decorative preserved moss. Preserved moss will not grow, it is decorative in nature and will add layers and interest.


Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium


Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium

Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium

Step Eight: Add miniature decorative accents. My mom had this tiny turtle that I made in a ceramics class when I was young.

Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium

Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium


I added a couple of decorative rocks as well that I found at the Dollar Store.

Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium

And here is my finished terrarium 😍

Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium

What I've learned from the Facebook terrarium group so far is:


  1. The container should fog up ideally in the morning and the evening. If it is staying foggy all the time, remove the lid for a while.
  2. Do not water like you water your regular house plants, use a mister instead and only mist when the soil feels dry.


Have you ever had a terrarium or do you think you'd like to try one? If you are experienced with terrariums and have any tips for me, please share by leaving a comment on this post (I read them all!!)


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Easy DIY Beginner's Terrarium


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  1. I'm thrilled to see your terrarium tutorial, Tania. Last week while visiting a local greenhouse with my granddaughter, she gravitated straight to the terrarium section. We spent over thirty minutes while looked at every.single.detail in each one of them. I promised her that sometime soon we'd make our own together. So your post is rather timely because I had no idea where to begin!

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    Replies
    1. Aww, what a fun thing to do with your granddaughter, she will love it!

      Delete
  2. This turned out so nice. I have that exact glass jar! I remember doing a terrarium many years ago--I might try that again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Vikki! It was fun to do, I just hope I can keep it alive! haha!

      Delete
  3. It turned out very pretty! I love the container. I think they're pretty easy to care for. I had one many years ago but don't remember details about it----care, etc. I think refraining from overwatering is key!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yah, seems like over watering would be easy but I think they make their own moisture!

      Delete
  4. Very well done tutorial with a great result! I'm ALMOST tempted! Occasional spritzing would be right up my alley as I tend to forget to water my plants!

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