How to Make Your Own Terrariums: Mini Landscapes for any Decor

Indoor gardening with terrariums is a fun and attractive way to incorporate plants into any home décor.

In Victorian times, renowned physician Nathanial Bagshaw Ward was pursuing a passion for botany and conducting an experiment with moths, when he discovered that he could cultivate rare ferns inside a bottle.

This led him to develop a glass vessel for nurturing imported specimens. The “Wardian case” is the predecessor of the terrarium.

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Traditionally made of curved glass with a tight-fitting lid, a terrarium has a base of gravel, charcoal, moss, and soil, and supports a miniature garden of moisture-loving species.

The plants draw moisture from the soil and evaporate it through their leaves, in a process known as transpiration.

Water droplets form and drip down the sides of the container, returning to the soil. This process mimics nature’s rain cycle, and sustains life.

In addition to the closed terrarium in which the rain cycle creates a self-supporting mini garden, there are other types of arrangements that fall under the terrarium umbrella.

Types of Terrariums

Plants that require a humid environment do best in a closed or partially closed vessel, where moisture builds up inside.

Species that like drier conditions do best in more open terrariums, where air circulates and the humidity is low.

With this knowledge, we can choose the right terrarium for the right flora.

Some folks place potted plants in a closed tank-type container resembling a Wardian case.

Jago Glass Terrarium

A glass terrarium that’s just right for this type of display is available on Wayfair.

This is an ideal vessel for moisture-loving varieties like orchids, which we will mention again a bit later.

Another is the glass cloche, a bell-shaped cover that also dates to Victorian days.

Clear Glass Cloche

The cloche was often used to protect tender plants in the garden. Used indoors today, it is an attractive and functional enclosure for nurturing moisture-loving species.

A glass cloche bell jar is available from Amazon. It promotes the rain cycle when placed over a dish garden consisting of layers of gravel, charcoal, moss, and potting medium.

Hanging Terrarium

And then there are small open globes suspended by twine or fishing line that are great for displaying a tiny plant or two.

These are available on Amazon, conveniently packaged in a set of two.

Air plants, cacti, and succulents are good low-maintenance choices for this modern-style terrarium.

Let’s get started!

Imaginary Landscapes

Think back to elementary school. Did you ever make a diorama project?

Four of my favorite themes are:

Read on to visualize each theme, collect supplies, and make your own mini garden!

Fairy Garden

Imagine a magical place with surprises around every bend.

Pebble paths, toadstools on mossy hills, tucked-away cottages, and animals peering through lush foliage set the stage for a fanciful theme.

For a Fairy Garden, use plants like:

These moisture-loving species thrive self-sufficiently in a closed terrrarium.

If you choose an open vessel, mist the soil thoroughly whenever it feels dry.

Woodland Hike

Picture yourself clad in hiking gear, using your walking stick to climb rocky outcroppings between whispering pines, while a swift river flows below.

These are the images evoked with a woodland hike theme.

For a Woodland Hike, use plants like:

These do well in a closed container. If you choose an open one, mist thoroughly whenever the soil is dry to the touch.

Island Getaway

Have you vacationed in a tropical paradise where dense exotic plants give way to turquoise oceans and white sand beaches littered with shells?

Bear this scene in mind when you create your island getaway.

For an Island Getaway, use plants like:

Purple waffle is one of five “clean air” species discussed in our article on nontoxic houseplants.

Southwest Scene

Astride a palomino on a pebbly, parched riverbed, cacti and succulents dot the landscape as you pass.

Use this vision to fashion a Southwest scene so realistic you can feel the sun on your back as you ride.

For a Southwest scene, use plants like:

This arrangement is perfect for an open terrrarium. Mist occasionally.

For even more mini garden projects to create at home, we suggest checking out the book “Creative Terrariums: 33 Modern Mini-Gardens for Your Home” by Enid G. Svymbersky.

Creative Terrariums: 33 Modern Mini-Gardens for Your Home

This book, available via Amazon, includes tips for getting started and maintaining your terrariums.

It also presents a collection of DIY projects with illustrated step-by-step instructions, thorough materials lists, and helpful tips.

How to Make a Terrarium

Now that you’ve chosen your theme and appropriate plants, decide where you’ll place your mini garden when it’s finished.

If it will be viewed from all sides, keep this in mind as you arrange your plants in a way that is pleasing to look at from every angle.

If your container will be seen only from the front and sides, be sure to have these sides show to best advantage.

Let’s begin! For all projects, you will need:

Supplies:

Activated filtering charcoal is used to kill bacteria and deodorize your arrangement.

Soil Sunrise Horticultural Charcoal

We like Soil Sunrise Horticultural Charcoal, available on Amazon.

Decorative sand is optional for surface decorations, and miniature figurines are an optional decorative addition to help set the scene.

Modeling clay is ideal to have on hand to create a base for containers that are likely to roll.

Newspaper is an excellent asset for any gardening craft project. I like to keep it on hand to spread out before I get started, to protect my work surface.

It’s important to set up your terrarium with the appropriate soil.

African violet potting mix is a good choice if this is what you’ll be growing, or cactus mixes that are light and loose work well for southwestern favorites like succulents and cacti.

And speaking of African violets, you can learn more about propagating them here.

Sphagnum moss is perfect for layering, and it comes in handy for surface planting as well.

Instructions:

1. Choose a theme and select appropriate plants (see below) and accessories.
2. Wash container, tools, pebbles/stones, and figurines with mild dish soap and water before assembly. Rinse thoroughly and dry with paper towels.
3. Spread newspaper over your work surface.
4. Decide whether you will use your vessel horizontally or vertically.
5. Cover the bottom of the terrarium with a layer of pebbles followed by an inch of activated charcoal.
6. Cover activated charcoal with a layer of sphagnum moss, then add two inches of appropriate potting soil.
7. Decide where you want your plants, and use your spoon to make a small hole for your first one.
8. Grasp the plant gently with tweezers or fingers. Trim off all but an inch of root length, and place it into the hole, covering the roots, and tamping the soil down with the pencil or chopstick.

Be sure to place them so that they do not touch the sides of the container, and do not reach the lid.

9. Continue planting until all specimens are in the soil.
10. If desired, fill in areas between plants with pieces of sphagnum moss, tamping gently.
11. Add decorative sand, pebbles, stones, and figurines to define your chosen theme.
12. Mist foliage and soil lightly and shut the lid securely for closed arrangements.
13. Place away from direct sunlight.

It’s important to keep an eye on your new miniature garden. If a closed container becomes completely fogged, you may have overwatered.

Stabilizing a Horizontal Jar Arrangement

In addition to vessels like old fish bowls and brandy snifters, glass and plastic food jars can be used as reclaimed containers, provided you wash them well.

If you’d like to use a jar on its side instead of upright, place a plate or shallow basket beneath it for stability.

Or you can make supports to keep it from rolling around. This is easy with air-dry modeling clay.

Air-Dry Modeling Clay

This air-dry modeling clay is paintable and it won’t stain surfaces. It’s available from Jovi via Amazon.

Here’s how to use it to make a stabilizing base for your mini garden.

How to Make Jar Supports:

1. Using air-dry modeling clay, form two balls of between two and four inches in diameter, depending upon the size of the jar you wish to stabilize.
2. Roll each ball into an elongated tube. Place them four to six inches apart, depending upon the jar’s size.
3. Press the jar down upon the clay tubes until it makes an imprint.
4. Remove the jar and let the clay dry. Paint clay if desired, and let it dry.
5. Place the jar on the clay supports for a stable display.

Miniature Masterpieces

Terrariums are perfect for the whole family. They make delightful gifts and add an intriguing natural element to any room.

How about showing the kids how to make their own mini gardens at your child’s next birthday party?

Children love gardening, and making a terrarium to take home is a party favor they’re sure to remember.

See our article on gardening in small spaces for more scaled-down planting projects.

What clever ideas do you have for making miniature gardens? Share them with our readers in the comments section below.

And for more ideas for creating imaginative or unusual gardens, check out these guides next:

• How to Create a Succulent Fairy Garden
• Fall Garden Planting Design Guide: Create a Cozy & Inviting Autumn Oasis
• Design and Construct Gorgeous Spring Planters for Porches and Patios