Making a Terrarium

Terrariums are a great way to add some life to your decorating. They can be made from just about any glass or clear plastic container. They are also a perfect way to make use of something that was just taking up space before. This is a guide about making a terrarium.

Videos

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How to Build a Terrarium

In this video Kacy Paide, from Small World Terrariums, teaches you how to make a beautiful terrarium step-by-step. Check out the related videos for additional steps and more terrarium tips.

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Solutions: Making a Terrarium

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Herb TerrariYUM!

I wanted to make a terrarium from an old fish bowl but couldn't find inexpensive, small leafed plants. I realized that my herbs growing outside would not only look great but I could keep and use them all winter if I planted them in the bowl.

I planted Oregano and common thyme and added a little toy crab. I love it!

Approximate Time: 5 minutes

Supplies:

bowl (old fish bowl or large, clear glass bowl)
potting soil
herb plants
optional: small toy animal or decoration like shells or rocks

Instructions:

Just add some pebbles for drainage, then soil, then plant some herbs into your terrarium. Add some pretty rocks, shells or small toy and enjoy your fresh herbs in your indoor garden all winter long.

By Donna from NEPA

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Tabletop Terrarium

Make a tabletop terrarium from those odds and ends that tend to accumulate and clutter your cupboards. Use a shallow basket, lined with a plastic bag and filled with potting soil, and choose what small plants you want to work with and pot a couple of them in the soil. Turn a goblet or extra clear clean candle holder over the top. You might like to try to reuse a glass candy jar with a lid and put a small plant inside. Arrange the containers in the basket to suit yourself. Add a rock or a piece of pretty glass or driftwood or even a figurine, if you like. You might like to try a votive candle in stemware. You could also garden a few herbs this way!

By Veronica from Sedalia, Missouri

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Questions

Here are questions related to Making a Terrarium.

Making a Terrarium from a Glass Jar

How do I make a terrarium using a glass gallon jar?

Hardiness Zone: 4a

By Susan from Laurel, MT

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Most Recent Answer

By MCW 08/31/2010

You can find it by using the Google search engine.

Converting Aquarium into Terrarium

Terrarium Here's a photo of my completed terrarium. The miniature violets cost about $4 to $5 each. I found the shefflera and a cute small palm at Walmart for $3 each. The small juniper was pricy, about $15.

Question:

Does anyone have any soda bottle terrarium directions for me? I am not sure if I am in zone 5 or 6.

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Dawn from Elmira, NY

Answer:

Dawn,

Here are some simple directions for a soda bottle terrarium.

Supplies

One 2 or 3 liter clear plastic soda bottle (needs to have a colored base).
Scissors, craft knife and a teaspoon
Charcoal
Coffee filter
Potting Soil
Suitable small plants
Assorted rocks or figures
Moss

Directions

Remove the label and the colored base from the plastic bottle by soaking the bottle in hot, soapy water.
The clear portion of the bottom is made of a thicker plastic than the top. Use the tip of a craft knife to punch 5-6 holes around the bottom to create some ventilation. You're going to flip this over so it becomes the top.
Now, using a craft knife or scissors, cut off the top of the plastic bottle at the point where it starts to slope toward the top. Flip this over. This end is now the bottom and should now slide easily into the colored base.
If the colored end has holes in it, place a coffee filter in the bottom to prevent soil from leaking out the holes.
Place a 1/4 or 1/2 inch layer of horticultural charcoal in the colored base, followed by 1 to 2 inches of high quality potting soil so that it comes to 1/2 inch below the bottom's rim.
Add 2-3 small plants or cuttings. The plants should have similar growing requirements. Some good plants include Aluminum Plant, Ivy or Baby Tears.
Add decorative figures and rocks as desired.
Water the terrarium lightly. The soil should be barely moist, but not wet. Cover the soil with moss.
Slip the clear plastic top back onto the base until it's firmly seated in place.
Keep an eye on the terrarium for a few days. Water droplets should form. If they don't, add a bit more water. If too many form, open the top of the terrarium temporarily to let it dry out a bit.

Ellen

By Ellen Brown

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Most Recent Answer

By PapierMacheBleachBottlePiggyBank 11/12/2006

I remember making terrariums like that which Ellen described above when I was a kid! They're a lot of fun. The only problem might be that I think they stopped making two-liter bottles with those colored plastic bases a long time ago - all the soda bottles I've seen for years now have been all one piece.

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Next: Using Artificial Light for Indoor Plants

Converting Aquarium into Terrarium

I'm thinking about converting a 30 gallon aquarium into a terrarium. I would like advice from anyone who has done this successfully. What types of plants are slow-growing and would do well under glass? The top will not be sealed, but will be mostly covered by the aquarium top that has the light in it.

Chloe

RE: Converting Aquarium into Terrarium

Terrariums are great! I turned a large glass wine bottle into a terrarium and currently am growing a green pepper plant in it. Very cool environment to grow plants in.

For your type of terrarium, I'd suggest growing Java Moss on some large rocks. Also, if you plan to include a water feature you might select some duckweed. Both of these plants require lots of light to grow, so don't forget to keep using your attached light system.

Take a look at this info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivarium (03/16/2008)

By Lisa

RE: Converting Aquarium into Terrarium

What about using Lisa's idea to grow pepper plants? You could remove the top to pick your peppers. (03/16/2008)

By MartyD

RE: Converting Aquarium into Terrarium

You might want to take a look at this glass terrarium project too. There is also a page that has recommended terrarium plants.

http://www.stormthecastle.com/terrarium/large-terrarium.htm (03/17/2008)

By Will

RE: Converting Aquarium into Terrarium

I have used a 32-gallon fish tank that had a leak. The depth of the layers would depend on the size of your tank. You want good drainage and the charcoal prevents the soil from souring.

This is how I did mine, keep in mind I had a 32 gallon tank. First, layer the bottom with about 3 inches of fish gravel; I reused what I had after cleaning it. I used natural stone, I think it looks better.

Next, make a 3-inch layer of charcoal. This can be found in the plant section of most stores, I bought it at Wal-mart. The last layer should be 3 inches of a good quality potting soil mixed with a bit of sand.

I used the cover that came with the tank and used a plant light purchased at Wal-mart. When I bought my light, it was cheaper to buy it in the lighting section of the store than in the pet department. I kept the light on all day, since I didn't get any natural light in that room. I turned it off at night. I don't think it would be a good idea to have the tank in direct sunlight. It would probably get too hot for the plants.

I then landscaped it to look like a wooded area. I used different rocks, moss and tree bark and even found some small natural looking items to add to it. I found a miniature wheelbarrow and other items to make it look like a natural scape. Water it very lightly before adding anything. I used a spray bottle to water. Don't saturate it.

I planted different variety of small plants. It was trial and error. Some plants did overwhelm the tank at times, but I would just cut them back. After a month, the tank was filled with plants and looked great. I had a mirror glued the back of the tank when I used it for the fish so that added to the look. I received many complements from visitors.

We also had a toad living in the tank. Being the tank was all natural; the toad lived in there for about 5 years. I had a small house for him. About once a month, we would buy live crickets and add them to the tank for food. I made sure any openings were sealed so there weren't any escapees. We did get some but the cat usually took care of them. I never had to clean up after the toad since his waste went into the soil. I did have a "pond" buried a bit in the soil for him. He loved to soak in it.

I forgot to mention that at times I did have to clean the inside glass since the toad would like to kick up and dig at times. It was very interesting to watch the toad especially at feeding time.

I hope you enjoy this little project as much as I have. I finally had to give it away since we were moving and we did not have any room for the tank. I hope someday to make a small one since I really enjoyed it. (03/20/2008)

By Mike

RE: Converting Aquarium into Terrarium

Thanks for all the great advice! I've put in all the substrate and soil, and am starting to collect small plants for the terrarium. I think it may be possible to grow several kinds of herbs, in addition to a few decorative things like miniature violets. (03/21/2008)

By ChloeA