Terrariums

Terrariums Made Easy

I have two or three small terrariums at home. I’d often see them passed around on the social networks and think: wow! So beautiful! Then I’d ask around and fall into an endless whirlpool of advice and expensive equipment, and give up.

Until I started writing for The Laidback Gardener. Now, my philosophy is to test and let die what doesn’t want to live.

Why the change of heart? Because I wasted HOURS reading about terrariums. When I finally made my own, with what I had on hand, well, I was a big success.

I’ve realized that even if I invest hundreds of dollars in an automatic misting system and make 7 layers of different substrates, success is still not guaranteed. So why not try to keep it simple?

Photo: Katarzyna Modrzejewska

Intelligent Terrarium: Choosing the Right Species

It’s all the rage these days – smart homes that turn on the lights and shut off the alarm system all by themselves. Well, so do my terrariums, they manage themselves (or almost). No need to turn on the humidifier, open the light, close the lid, give fertilizer, prune, etc. It’s autonomous! It’s self-sufficient!

My trick? I put carnivorous plants, epiphytes, or plants with high water/moisture requirements in fish jars.

I choose plants that generally don’t need rich soil, fertilizer or perfect drainage. They don’t need to have their pots enlarged, as the moist soil naturally creates the right level of ambient humidity, and as they grow slowly, they don’t need pruning. I water them from time to time with water from my dehumidifier. This is their only whim: carnivores don’t tolerate tap water.

PS Terrariums with succulents are doomed to be bundles of trouble! I know it’s cute and you see it everywhere, but it’s only for the photo, in reality it’s very difficult and it’s likely to get moldy. For a first terrarium, don’t even think about it!

My first tip is this: choose ONE plant that is self-sufficient or low-maintenance. I insist: start with just one species for your first terrarium.

Venus flytraps are still fussy carnivores, so go for a nepenthe or a pitcher plant. A few other moisture-loving plants do very well in humid environments, such as orchids, ferns, anthuriums, fittonias, hypoestes, etc., but they may require a little more attention.

Butterwort (Pinguicula sp.).

The Multi-Layered Floor

Specialists who have mini-jungles in their terrariums have to ensure a certain amount of drainage, nutrient supply, and sometimes even more or less dry daily periods. They have parts of the terrarium with more or less sand, soil, perlite, or whatever, and know that such and such a plant should be planted on such and such a side because there’s more activated carbon.

It’s truly impressive and magnificent.

But I’m lazy!

When I made my very first terrarium, all I had was regular potting soil. I planted a nepenthe in it and, even though it’s not ideal and doesn’t really grow, it’s still alive! My second plant was planted in carnivorous potting soil, which is acidic and light, and my pitcher plant is on fire.

No layers or headaches. There’s no drainage, so don’t over-water, but since these are wetland plants, they can take it! If you’re unfortunate enough to have over-watered, place a paper towel on the soil for a few hours to remove the excess. That’s all there is to it! A plant with simple needs = fewer problems!

The Perfect Place

As you know, finding THE spot for a plant can be difficult. Don’t underestimate this step! Terrariums, even open ones like mine, still have a greenhouse effect. If you have a small thermometer-hygrometer, it’s worth putting it in for a few days. It’s 20°C at home, but your jar is in the sun? Maybe it’s 45°C inside!

Indirect sunlight is often ideal, at least for carnivores. A table in the center of a well-lit room, or a window sill that gets sun only in the morning or evening, is preferable.

It’s time to play musical chairs: if it’s too humid, consider placing it near a ventilation outlet. If the air around it moves more, the humidity in the terrarium will drop slightly. Too hot: move away from the window. In short, be patient… and creative!

The “Wow” Effect Without the Headache

To give my terrarium a natural, “filled-in” effect, I like to add decorations. I usually wait a few days or weeks after planting, in case there’s a problem and I need to rework it. Too much or too little soil, planted crooked, that sort of thing. I once planted in a tall, narrow vase and didn’t like the way it looked: the glass tended to fog up. I was glad I hadn’t already done my “landscaping”!

It’s time to get creative and personalize your creation. Personally, I’m not into small decorations. But feel free to build a Smurf village with figurines!

I prefer to use natural treasures: pieces of bark, moss, small rocks and other natural debris. You can paint pebbles, the glass of your terrarium, the only limits are your imagination… And the humidity level… Decorating with origami may not make much sense, you know…

And that’s it! You’ve got a terrarium without having spent a fortune and without having to look after it as if it were a child. All you had to do was keep it simple!

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Audrey Martel is a biologist who graduated from the University of Montreal. After more than ten years in the field of scientific animation, notably for Parks Canada and the Granby Zoo, she joined Nature Conservancy of Canada to take up new challenges in scientific writing. She then moved into marketing and joined Leo Studio. Full of life and always up for a giggle, or the discovery of a new edible plant, she never abandoned her love for nature and writes articles for both Nature sauvage and the Laidback Gardener.

2 comments on “Terrariums Made Easy

  1. I like how this post breaks down the simplicity of creating a terrarium, it’s a perfect little hobby to brighten up any space. It’s interesting how it parallels the idea of managing investments, like building something small yet beautiful that grows over time. Much like when you decide to gamble, sometimes taking calculated risks can lead to growth, but it requires careful attention and patience. When I looked for ways to diversify your investments, I’ve found out this post https://techpilipinas.com/top-online-games-gcash/ to GCash users. It provides smart, easy ways to invest and grow your savings. I believe it needs regular care and consideration to thrive, so does your financial portfolio.

  2. Vickie Schulz

    Thank you, great information. I will be following your advise.

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