How to Make Your Own Green Terrarium
If you have a green thumb but minimal garden space, why not create your own mini-world full of lush and beautiful plants by making your own terrarium? Remember that having green plants around helps improve your indoor air quality. Terrariums are easy-to-make, low-maintenance gardens, and can last almost indefinitely with minimal water.
Materials
- A clear glass jar, vase, bowl, or container
- Rocks, pebbles, or recycled glass chunks
- Activated charcoal (sometimes called activated carbon)
- Potting soil appropriate for your plants
- Moss (optional)
- Figurines, sticks, or decorative items (optional)
- Various small plants
- A scoop, spoon or shovel
- Scissors
- Gloves
Step 1: Prepare the Container
Remove any price tags or stickers from your vessel and wash thoroughly. Envision how you want to arrange your plants inside the jar. Imagination is the key. Once ready, fill the bottom with pebbles and stones to create a drainage layer.
Step 2: Add the Activated Charcoal
Spread a thin layer of activated charcoal over the rocks. This helps reduce bacteria, fungi, and odors, keeping your terrarium healthy.
Step 3: Add Soil
Choose cactus soil for succulents and regular potting soil for ferns or tropical plants. Add enough soil so roots have room to grow.
Step 4: Plant
Gently remove plants from their pots, loosen the roots, and place them into wells dug in the soil. Compact the soil around the base to secure them.
Step 5: Add Accessories
Decorate with moss, figurines, stones, or beads. This is your miniature world — personalize it as you like.
Step 6: Clean and Water
Wipe down the container sides and give the terrarium a light watering. Unlike houseplants, terrariums need very little water — just enough to moisten the soil.
Tips & Tricks
- Monitor water needs. Closed terrariums may need venting if condensation builds up.
- Remove wilted leaves promptly to maintain ecosystem health.
- Keep in indirect light — direct sun can scorch plants inside glass.
- Enjoy your terrarium or gift it to someone special!
Conclusion
Terrariums are a creative way to bring nature indoors, requiring minimal care but offering maximum impact. With the right materials and plants, you can design a thriving miniature garden that lasts for years. Explore our DIY terrarium starter kits, decorative pebbles for drainage, and organic potting soil mixes to start your project today.
