How to Make a Simple Terrarium for Beginners in 7 Easy Steps

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Make a Simple Terrarium for Beginners

Terrariums are a great way to create a beautiful and tranquil setting in your home for very little money. Terrariums can be as simple or intricate as you want. They make an excellent decoration or gift for someone special. This post will show you how to make a simple terrarium for beginners!

What is a terrarium, and how does it work?

A terrarium is a miniature garden enclosed in a glass or plastic container. The plants in a terrarium can survive because the sealed environment allows them to collect and recycle moisture from the air.

You can make Terrariums with any plant, but it's essential to choose plants that require similar amounts of water and light and don't grow too big.

What are the Different Types of Terrariums?

Traditional terrariums are closed containers with a lid that seals in the moisture, allowing for more humidity and less evaporation.

They do not need to be watered and only need indirect sunlight. An open terrarium exposes the plants and soil to the air and is regularly watered.

The type of terrarium you choose will depend on what you want to grow and how much care you want to put into it.

How to make your simple terrarium

Choose a suitable container. The size and shape of your receptacle are essential because you want to make sure that the plants have enough room to grow.

A good rule of thumb is to choose a container that is twice as wide as the height of your tallest plant. You can use any container, but make sure it has a lid to keep the moisture in.

What You'll Need:

• Glass container (terrarium) (preferably with a lid)
• Pebbles, small stones, or gravel
• Spray bottle with filtered water
• Activated charcoal
• Terrarium funnel
• Soil
• Moss
• Small plants
• Terrarium toolset

Instructions:

Step One: Choose the correct container – The first thing you need to do is choose the suitable container for your terrarium. You'll want something made of glass and has a lid to keep the moisture in.

Step Two: Clean and prepare the container – Next, you need to clean and prep the container. Wash it with soap and water to remove any dust or dirt. 

Step Three: Add some pebbles – Line the bottom of your container with a thin layer of stones or gravel. Rocks will help with drainage and keep the soil in place.

Step Four: Add some soil – Fill the container about halfway with potting mix. Be sure to pack it down firmly so that there is no space between the soil and the sides of the container. Use the spray bottle to moisten the soil.

Step Five: Add the activated charcoal – sprinkle about a tablespoon of activated charcoal into the soil. This will help to keep your terrarium healthy and free of bacteria.

Step Six: Add some moss – add some moss (such as sphagnum) to the container. Either buy it pre-packaged, or you can harvest it from outside.

Step Seven: Finally, add the plants – add your plants or flowers to the terrarium. Be sure to water them well before you put them in!

Benefits of having a terrarium in your home

Hear the sound of silence? Terrariums can help you get there! These beautiful, immersive environments create a calming and peaceful space perfect for relaxing or working.

Being creative is one of the best ways to express your personality. Many people have started turning their homes into mini-exhibits by adding living plants and other greenery inside glass containers called terrariums! You can make them as beautiful or straightforward depending on what you want for yourself.

Terrariums are also a fun and easy way to garden. They're also great if you don't have much space or light, as they require very little maintenance!

Where to buy supplies for your new terrarium

You can find all of the supplies you need at your local gardening store. Make sure they sell terrarium kits. These will be more complete and come with everything needed to start a beautiful new habitat for tiny plants around town!

You can also find terrarium kits with everything you need online, including the container, soil, and plants, such as this one here from London Terrariums.

Are terrariums easy to maintain?

Terrariums are a great way to try out different plants and learn more about them. They're also easy enough that anyone can maintain one, even if they've never grown anything before in their life! 

Just be sure to water your plants regularly (depending on the type of plant, you might need to water it once a week or once every other week) and keep an eye on how much light it's getting. If it starts looking like the leaves are wilting, move it to a brighter spot!

Tips for keeping your plants healthy in a terrarium

Here are a few tips for keeping your plants healthy and happy.

To keep your plants healthy, make sure to use suitable soil and water them correctly. This will help the roots grow well and prevent diseases from spreading.

Don't forget about providing plenty of light but not too much sun, which may cause bleaching due to excessive heating effects on sensitive leaves during the summer months. 

How many plants should be in a terrarium?

This is a question that many people ask when they want to start terrarium gardening. 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It depends on several factors, including the size of your container, what type and colour or species you would like for its design aesthetic, and how much room is left inside following construction steps.

A good rule, though, might be 3-4 small plants which then gives enough space around each plant to grow with plenty left over for maintenance of the terrarium.

Common mistakes people make when having a terrarium

One of the people's most common mistakes, when they have a terrarium, is overwatering. This can kill your plants very quickly, so water them sparingly!

Another mistake is not providing enough light. Your terrarium will need plenty of indirect sunlight to thrive.

Finally, people sometimes forget to clean their terrarium. Be sure to clean it regularly (at least once a month) to keep it healthy and looking its best!

Tips for Choosing Plants:

When choosing plants for your terrarium, you'll want to choose small plants with low maintenance and that like humidity. Some good options include:

• Maidenhair fern
• Polka Dot plant
• Nerve plants
• Succulents such as Haworthia or Jade Plant
• Creeping Fig
• Miniature orchids

Tip: It's important to air your terrarium every now and again during the day and cover it at night so that mould doesn't grow.

That's it! Enjoy! You've now created a beautiful and straightforward terrarium perfect for beginners.

FAQ:

Final Thoughts:

Terrariums are a great way to bring some life into your home. They're also easy for beginners because they don't require any special skills or tools, just suitable materials and creativity! If you have never made one before but want to give it a try, this guide will help you get started on making your own terrarium with little effort. 

So what are you waiting for? Get creative and have fun with your terrarium!

Looking for more ideas? I can't wait to see what you come up with! Check out our other posts for inspiration. And be sure to share your creations with us on social media using the hashtag #houseplantcrazy.