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Instructions for Setting Up Terrariums

A basic terrarium involves little more than a glass container, soil and plants. The exact set-up depends on the species of plant you wish to grow, with delicate species sometimes having highly specific soil and temperature requirements. If the terrarium is to be an enclosure for an exotic pet, research its needs and find suitable plants for the animal. Almost any medium to large glass container makes a plant terrarium, from leaking fish tanks to ornamental glass jars. Even vases or wide-necked bottles work if you plant small seedlings and let the plant or herb grow to fill the container.

Things You'll Need

Broken clay flower pot or coarse gravel
Hammer
Glass container
Spatula
Moss
Potting compost
Plant mister
Small rocks
Live mosses
Plants

Instructions

- 1
  Break an already damaged clay flower pot into 1/2-inch to 2-inch pieces with the hammer. Lay a couple of inches of this material at the bottom of the container, for drainage. Alternatively, use very coarse gravel.
- 2
  Collect unwanted mosses. Scrape the moss off rocks in the garden, roofs shingles or paving slabs with a spatula.
- 3
  Lay the unwanted moss leafy-side down in the terrarium, to form a second layer over the pot pieces.
- 4
  Add a couple of inches of general purpose potting compost. Garden soil is an option for hardy plants, but bake it in the oven at 200˚ F for 30 minutes first, to kill weed seeds.
- 5
  Mist the terrarium with water until the soil is moderately damp.
- 6
  Add rocks or other decorations to the container.
- 7
  Arrange plants and decorative mosses in the terrarium in a design you find aesthetically pleasing. Water and mist the plants as required for the species.

Nature