Terrariums! Who's In? Tips and Plants for Fun Terrariums

In this blog post, we'll explore terrarium ideas, the best plants to use, tips for beginners, and creative ways to design your own terrarium. Whether you’re new to terrariums or a seasoned hobbyist, this guide will inspire you to create your own plant-filled masterpiece.

What Is a Terrarium?

A terrarium is essentially a small glass container, often with an open or closed top, that holds plants, soil, and sometimes decorative elements like stones or figurines. Terrariums come in all shapes and sizes—ranging from large fishbowls and mason jars to specialty geometric containers designed specifically for plants.

There are two main types of terrariums:

Open Terrariums:

These are perfect for plants that thrive in drier conditions, such as succulents and cacti, since they allow for air circulation.

Closed Terrariums:

These are more humid environments and work best for tropical plants, such as ferns and mosses, because they trap moisture inside.

Regardless of the type, terrariums offer a visually appealing way to bring nature into your home, requiring only minimal maintenance.

Best Terrarium Plants

Selecting the right plants is crucial for the success of your terrarium. The best terrarium plants are those that can thrive in low-light conditions and don’t grow too large. When picking your plants, it's essential to match their needs to the environment inside your terrarium.

Here are some great options:

For Closed Terrariums (Humid Environments):

• Ferns: Ferns, especially varieties like the maidenhair fern or button fern, thrive in the humid, enclosed environment of a closed terrarium. They require low light and love the moisture.
• Moss: Moss is an excellent choice for closed terrariums. Its soft, carpet-like appearance adds a lush, green aesthetic, and it thrives in the moist, enclosed environment.
• Fittonia (Nerve Plant): Fittonia is a small tropical plant known for its striking, colorful veined leaves. It loves the high humidity found in closed terrariums.
• Peperomia: Peperomia species like the ripple peperomia or watermelon peperomia are perfect for terrariums. They’re compact and thrive in lower light and higher humidity.

For Open Terrariums (Dry Environments):

• Succulents: Succulents are the stars of open terrariums. Plants like echeveria, haworthia, and aloe thrive in dry conditions and look stunning in an open glass container. Their variety in colors and textures make them perfect for creating eye-catching designs.
• Cacti: Small varieties of cacti can also be used in open terrariums. Cacti prefer the drier, well-ventilated environment and can add a spiky, unique element to your terrarium.
• Air Plants (Tillandsia): Air plants don't require soil and can thrive on just a little misting and indirect sunlight. They’re perfect for open terrariums as they don't need much water and are easy to care for.
• Jade Plant (Crassula): Jade plants are small, slow-growing succulents that do well in dry conditions. Their thick, fleshy leaves add a sense of structure to your terrarium.

Terrarium Ideas: Get Creative!

Terrariums offer endless possibilities when it comes to design. You can go as simple or as intricate as you’d like. Here are a few fun and creative terrarium ideas to help get you started:

Turn your terrarium into a tiny garden by adding small figurines, pebbles, and tiny structures like houses, benches, or mushrooms. This is great for creating a whimsical fairy-tale look that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

Create a desert landscape by using succulents and cacti. Add sand, rocks, and driftwood to mimic the arid conditions of a desert. You can layer different colors of sand for a more vibrant look.

For a closed terrarium, go for a tropical theme with ferns, moss, and tropical plants like Fittonia and Peperomia. You can even add miniature waterfalls or ponds made of glass or resin to give the feel of a lush rainforest.

Create a peaceful, minimalist environment with moss, small stones, and smooth pebbles. Add a few air plants or ferns to give the terrarium a calming, Zen garden effect.

Layering colored sand at the bottom of your terrarium can create a vibrant, visually striking base for your plants. This technique works particularly well with succulents and cacti in open terrariums.

Succulent Terrariums: A Low-Maintenance Choice

Succulent terrariums are some of the most popular, especially for those who want a low-maintenance terrarium. Succulents are hardy, require minimal watering, and come in various sizes and colors, making them perfect for creative terrarium designs.

How to Make a Succulent Terrarium:

1. Choose a Container: Select a glass container that allows for good airflow—open terrariums are ideal for succulents. You can use anything from a fishbowl to a geometric terrarium.
2. Add a Drainage Layer: Succulents don’t like wet roots, so start by adding a layer of pebbles or small rocks to the bottom of your terrarium. This helps excess water drain away from the roots.
3. Add Activated Charcoal: Place a thin layer of Sol Biotics Soil Salvation with includes biochar over the rocks to prevent odors and mold, especially if you’re using a container without drainage holes.  Since a terrarium is a closed environment and doesn't allow excess nutrients to drain out the bottom, feeding can be more complicated than it needs to be in order to get the plants the precious nutrients they need without accidentally burning them. The worm castings in Soil Salvation are a fantastic, safe way to accomplish this!
4. Add Soil: Use well-draining soil made for succulents and cacti. Sol Soils, a popular choice, offers an excellent pre-mixed succulent soil blend that promotes proper drainage.
5. Plant Your Succulents: Arrange your succulents in the soil, spacing them out to give each plant room to grow. You can also mix in air plants for added texture.
6. Decorate: Add finishing touches with decorative pebbles, sand, or tiny figurines to make your terrarium truly your own.

Terrarium Tips for Beginners

If you’re new to terrariums, here are a few beginner-friendly tips to ensure your terrarium thrives:

✅Choose the right plants:

Select plants that are suited to the environment you want to create. Succulents and cacti thrive in open, dry terrariums, while ferns, moss, and tropical plants do best in closed, humid terrariums.

✅Don’t Overwater:

Overwatering is the most common mistake beginners make. Terrarium plants need far less water than you might expect. Succulents only need watering once every two weeks or when the soil feels completely dry, while plants in closed terrariums rarely need watering at all due to the self-sustaining moisture cycle.

✅Provide Adequate Light:

Most terrarium plants, especially succulents, need plenty of indirect light. Place your terrarium near a bright window but out of direct sunlight, which can scorch the plants, especially in glass containers.

✅Trim Your Plants:

As plants grow, they may outgrow your terrarium or block sunlight from reaching other plants. Be sure to trim back any overgrown foliage and remove any dead leaves to keep your terrarium looking neat.

✅Avoid Humidity Problems:

For closed terrariums, too much moisture can lead to mold or plant rot. If you notice condensation on the glass, open the container occasionally to allow excess moisture to escape.

Plants for Terrariums: A Few More Favorites

While we’ve covered some of the best plants for terrariums, here are a few additional options that work well in both open and closed setups:

• Pilea: Also known as the "Chinese money plant," Pilea has round, coin-shaped leaves and thrives in bright, indirect light. It’s perfect for open terrariums.
• Spider Plant: A hardy choice for open terrariums, the spider plant has arching green and white striped leaves and can tolerate a range of conditions.
• Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes): With its spotted pink or white leaves, the polka dot plant adds a splash of color to your terrarium. It prefers indirect light and high humidity, making it ideal for closed terrariums.

Conclusion

Terrariums are a fantastic way to bring the outdoors inside, offering a creative and low-maintenance gardening experience. From selecting the best terrarium plants to choosing fun themes like desert oases or miniature gardens, the possibilities are endless. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned plant lover, terrariums offer a wonderful opportunity to explore the world of indoor gardening and experiment with new ideas. So grab a glass container, some plants, and let your imagination run wild!