Finally, for healthy plant growth (but not too much growth), I prefer to add organic matter to my substrate in the form of earthworm castings. Failing that, a diluted organic water-soluble fertilizer can be sprayed periodically. The plants in a closed terrarium also produce oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis; this is why many closed terrariums can also support small insects and isopods. This process is reversed at nighttime, allowing plants to get CO2 for photosynthesis; the plants can also absorb carbon from the soil as old leaves and organic matter decay. What You Will Need to Build a Closed Terrarium Does that mean a closed terrarium needs to be airtight? Not really. It’ll still function as long as it can trap moisture and humidity. Besides, it’s often good to air out a closed terrarium now and again to get in some fresh carbon dioxide and get out some mold spores.

Water the terrarium by gently spraying down the sides of the jar and letting it naturally run into the soil. Want to add more greenery to your room, office, or home without simply buying another houseplant? Consider creating your own terrarium. Tools – Not all are essential terrarium tools, but long tweezers help immensely in positioning plants. Then, long scissors are needed to trim them. Below is my completed terrarium. I added a small buddha which totally changes it from ‘plants in a jar’, to a scene.Alternatively, EK Terrariums also has plenty of ready-made mossariums if you fancy skipping the DIY element altogether. 4 | Best Terrarium Kit for Older Kids Keep an eye out for anyterrarium kits with Venus Flytraps. They’repossible to create (sort of), but certainly not for the faint-hearted terrarium builder. They’ll need very particular care requirements and an open container. There are much more suitable carnivorous plants for closed terrariums, but if you want to attempt it, see our Venus Flytrap terrarium guide.

Of course, being a closed terrarium means you need to be able to seal it (the clue is in the name). For a natural light source, you’ll want your terrarium to be in a bright spot that’s out of direct sunlight. And it’s perfect for someone wanting to jump straight into building a more significant piece. A solid terrarium set all ready to go! (Image Credit: BTVTerrariumKits) If you see no fogging of the glass at all and/or the substrate is looking bone dry – it’s time to add some water. Just a little at a time, as it’s easy to add and difficult to remove. Here’s Rae watering our Bonsai Terrarium. Fear not; all of these can be sourced easily online, from local stores, or even fashioned yourself (when it comes to tools).

The Drainage Layer – A foundational structure and reservoir for excess water to drain into. Sometimes, it includes an activated charcoal layer and mesh barrier. We’ve used leca in this drainage layer, it’s our go-to material. And, of course, it includes a fun figurine (a dino or a jungle, safari or garden animal) – you can’t go wrong! 5 | Best Terrarium Kit for Young Kids This gorgeous moss terrarium kit by EK Terrariumsis about as cute as it gets – measuring up to only 3.4 inches tall. This kit makes a great gift. (Image Credit: EKTerrariums). Though it can be much easier to use a grow light setup. That way, you can guarantee that all the plants are getting enough light, and there’s no risk of scorching. It needn’t be anything fancy; a simple grow bulb in an Ikea light will do (yes, that’s speaking from experience). Sometimes, the simplest terrarium lighting options work the best!

When it comes to getting lids for open containers, I find getting acrylic disks cut to size is the best option. There are plenty of companies online that can cut something to a precise dimension for a reasonable cost. An acrylic lid looks just like glass and it’s much cheaper and lighter. The Substrate Layer– The physical and nutritional support for your plants. For healthy plants, you’ll want to choose a tropical substrate mix over a standard potting soil. I have watched many videos on youtube of people experimenting with different setups. The best channel, Serpadesign, recommends using a ‘false bottom’. Often called a riparian layer, the false bottom is the key to building your water cycle. The false bottom consists of a layer of stones separated by a mesh barrier that divides it from the substrate. My meditating Buddha has been lost in his jungle! Roots have grown up the sides of the terrarium on the window side of the container. For truly maintenance-free growth, choose small plants that stay small. Lots of those tiny plants at the store are actually just baby plants that’ll get much bigger!Whichever style you opt for, terrariums are a lovely way to refresh and brighten your home and add decoration with beautiful plants which can thrive indefinitely. Just bear in mind that the best terrarium plants are small and slow-growing. Below, we’ve searched high and low for the best terrarium kits – both open and closed – to create your own mini garden indoors. We happen to think they make fabulous gifts, too… A terrarium is an enclosed glass or plastic container that is used to grow plants," says Lisa Steinkopf, who runs the blog The Houseplant Guru. If you want an inexpensive, simple, and classic terrarium starter kit with quality materials, this adorable moss project is the one for you. And it’ll only look more lush and wild as it grows over time. Recommended add-on: a set of terrarium tools (tweezers, scissors, fork and shovel). Buy as a set and save 10%.

Clear glass container– Pretty much any closed container of uniform shape and reasonable size can work. Bigger isn’t necessarily better, but it’s certainly easier to work with. Isopods like woodlice and worms can thrive in a closed terrarium. They will become part of the ecosystem producing waste that will get broken down to feed the plants.If you're intrigued by gardening but feel overwhelmed, making your own terrarium can be a fun and easy way to start growing plants. Or if you have experience gardening or collecting houseplants, a terrarium can be a new, more creative medium to test out. "Terrariums add another dimension to your indoor gardening," says Steinkopf, who loves making terrariums. "They have a mystery about them that is intriguing and they contain a 'little world' that fascinates people of every age," she says. Not only does it include all the necessities (drainage stones, charcoal, soil pellets, moss, seeds, tools), but it also has all kinds of extra stuff that kids love. If they are not separated, soil can enter the base of the jar and sit in water, making it putrid and rotten – this would affect the whole ecosystem. Open terrariums are a great craft kit to get started if you're a beginner, as they offer a better airflow for plants so you don't have to worry about issues that arise from condensation – such as mould. Open terrariums are best suited to plants that require dry and arid conditions and direct sunlight – such as cacti, air plants and succulents. So if you fancy growing yourself a mini desert that will last for years to come, you totally can.