Beginner’s Guide to Terrariums: Your First Mini Ecosystem

What Exactly Is a Terrarium?

Think of a terrarium as a tiny greenhouse for your plants. It’s essentially a clear glass or plastic container that houses small plants, soil, and decorative elements to create a self-contained mini garden. The magic happens when moisture evaporates from the soil and plants, condenses on the glass walls, and drips back down—creating a mini water cycle right before your eyes!

Terrariums come in all shapes and sizes, from small mason jars to large glass bowls, fish tanks, and even quirky geometric containers. The best part? They bring a slice of nature indoors without taking up much space.

Why Everyone’s Obsessed with Terrariums

There’s something incredibly satisfying about creating your own little world in glass. Here’s why terrariums are trending in 2025:

Low Maintenance: Once established, many terrariums need watering only once a month or even less. Perfect for busy plant parents!

Space-Saving: You can grow multiple plants in a single compact container—ideal for apartments and small spaces.

Humidity Heroes: They create their own humid microclimate, making them perfect for tropical plants that struggle in dry indoor air.

Therapeutic: Building a terrarium is like meditation. It’s calming, creative, and gives you a sense of accomplishment.

Instagram-Worthy: Let’s be honest—they look absolutely stunning and make your space feel instantly more sophisticated.

Two Types of Terrariums: Which One’s for You?

Before you start building, you need to choose your terrarium style. There are two main types, and each has its own personality:

Closed Terrariums have a lid or cover that seals in moisture. They’re like tiny rainforests—humid, self-watering, and perfect for moisture-loving plants like ferns, mosses, and tropical species. These are the ultimate low-maintenance option since they can go weeks without watering.

Open Terrariums don’t have a lid, so air circulates freely. They’re better suited for plants that prefer drier conditions, like succulents, cacti, and air plants. These need more frequent watering than closed terrariums but offer more flexibility in plant choices.

Can’t decide? Don’t worry—we’ve got a detailed comparison coming up in our guide on closed vs. open terrariums!

What You’ll Need to Get Started

The beauty of terrariums is that you don’t need fancy equipment. Here are the basics:

• A glass container (jar, bowl, vase, or dedicated terrarium vessel)
• Small pebbles or gravel for drainage
• Activated charcoal to keep things fresh and prevent odors
• Potting soil (specific mix depends on your plants)
• Small plants suitable for terrarium life
• Decorative elements like rocks, moss, or miniature figurines (optional but fun!)
• Long tweezers or chopsticks for placing plants in narrow containers

Quick Start: Your First Terrarium in 5 Steps

Ready to build? Here’s the basic process:

1. Layer your drainage: Add 1-2 inches of pebbles at the bottom
2. Add charcoal: A thin layer keeps your terrarium smelling fresh
3. Add soil: 2-3 inches of appropriate potting mix
4. Plant your greens: Arrange your plants, leaving space for growth
5. Decorate and water: Add decorative touches and give it a light watering

Of course, there’s more to it than that! For a complete step-by-step tutorial with pro tips, check out our DIY Terrarium Guide.

Common Beginner Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Overwatering: The number one terrarium killer! Start with less water than you think you need. You can always add more.

Wrong plant choices: Not all plants work in terrariums. Some grow too fast or need different conditions than their neighbors.

Skipping the drainage layer: This leads to root rot and unhappy plants. Never skip the pebbles!

Too much direct sunlight: Terrariums can turn into plant ovens in direct sun. Bright, indirect light is your friend.

Is a Terrarium Right for You?

Terrariums are perfect if you:

• Want a low-maintenance plant option
• Love creative DIY projects
• Have limited space but want greenery
• Struggle with remembering to water plants
• Want to grow tropical plants in a dry climate

They might not be ideal if you:

• Prefer large, fast-growing plants
• Want something that blooms frequently
• Have only very dark spaces (they still need some light!)

Ready to Grow Your Terrarium Knowledge?

This is just the beginning of your terrarium adventure! There’s so much more to explore, from choosing the perfect plants to mastering care techniques and creating stunning displays.

Your little glass garden awaits—let’s get growing! 🌿