Ready to get your hands dirty and create something beautiful? Building a terrarium is one of the most satisfying DIY plant projects you can tackle. It’s creative, surprisingly easy, and the results are absolutely stunning. Whether you’re making your first terrarium or your tenth, this guide will walk you through every step.
What You’ll Need
Before we start, gather these supplies. Most of them are easy to find at garden centers, craft stores, or even around your house:
Essential Materials:
- Glass container with or without a lid (depending on your terrarium type)
- Small pebbles or aquarium gravel (1-2 cups)
- Activated charcoal (1/2 cup)
- Potting soil suitable for your plants (2-3 cups)
- Small terrarium plants (3-5 plants for a medium container)
- Sheet moss (optional, for covering soil)
Helpful Tools:
- Long tweezers or chopsticks for planting
- Small spoon or scoop
- Spray bottle for watering
- Paper towel for cleaning glass
- Gloves (if you prefer)
Fun Extras:
- Decorative stones or crystals
- Small figurines or miniatures
- Driftwood pieces
- Air plants for added interest
Step 1: Clean Your Container
Start with a sparkling clean container! Wash it thoroughly with soap and water, then dry it completely. Any residue or moisture can lead to mold later, so this step is important. Use a paper towel to get the inside perfectly dry and streak-free.
Step 2: Add Your Drainage Layer
Pour your pebbles or gravel into the bottom of the container, creating a layer about 1-2 inches deep. This is crucial because it prevents water from sitting at the roots of your plants, which would cause root rot.
For smaller containers, 1 inch is fine. Larger terrariums can handle 2 inches. Spread the pebbles evenly across the bottom—you want a level surface for the next layers.
Pro tip: Use larger pebbles for better drainage and a more interesting look through the glass!
Step 3: Add Activated Charcoal
Sprinkle a thin layer of activated charcoal over your pebbles—about 1/4 to 1/2 inch is perfect. This magical ingredient keeps your terrarium fresh by filtering water and preventing bacteria buildup. It’s especially important in closed terrariums where air circulation is limited.
Don’t skip this step! It’s the secret to a sweet-smelling, healthy terrarium that lasts for years.
Step 4: Add Your Soil
Now for the foundation of your garden! Add 2-3 inches of potting soil, depending on your container size and plant root depth. For closed terrariums with tropical plants, use a moisture-retaining potting mix. For open terrariums with succulents, use a well-draining cactus mix.
Create small hills and valleys in your soil—this adds visual interest and gives you different planting levels. Don’t pack it down too much; plants like some air in their soil!
Step 5: Plan Your Layout
Before you start digging holes, arrange your plants (still in their pots) on top of the soil to visualize your design. Think about:
- Height: Place taller plants in the back or center
- Spacing: Leave room for growth—plants will spread!
- Color and texture: Mix different leaf shapes and shades of green
- Focal point: Choose one plant as your star
Take a photo of your layout so you remember where everything goes!
Step 6: Plant Your Greens
Time to plant! Remove each plant gently from its nursery pot and shake off excess soil. If roots are tightly bound, gently loosen them with your fingers.
Using tweezers or chopsticks, create a small hole in your soil, place the plant, and gently firm the soil around it. For narrow-necked containers, tweezers are lifesavers—they let you position plants exactly where you want them.
Work from back to front, or center to edges, so you don’t crush plants you’ve already positioned.
Step 7: Add Decorative Touches
This is where your terrarium becomes uniquely yours! Add a layer of sheet moss over exposed soil for a polished look. Place decorative rocks, crystals, or tiny figurines to create a scene.
Some fun ideas: create a miniature zen garden, a fairy house setting, or a tiny desert landscape. Let your creativity shine!
Step 8: Water Carefully
For closed terrariums, use a spray bottle to mist the soil lightly. You want it damp, not soaking. The soil should be barely moist to the touch.
For open terrariums, you can water a bit more generously, but still be conservative. You can always add more water later, but you can’t easily remove it!
Golden rule: When in doubt, use less water. Most terrarium problems come from overwatering.
Step 9: Clean the Glass
Use a paper towel or soft cloth to wipe the inside and outside of your glass container. Remove any soil smudges or water spots. A clean container lets you fully appreciate your creation!
Step 10: Find the Perfect Spot
Place your terrarium in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can turn your glass container into an oven and cook your plants. A spot near a window but not in the sun’s direct path is ideal.
For closed terrariums, you might notice condensation on the glass—that’s perfect! If water is running down the sides constantly, remove the lid for a few hours to let excess moisture escape.
Troubleshooting Your New Terrarium
Too much condensation? Remove the lid for a few hours daily until it balances out.
Plants looking droopy? They might need more water or less direct light.
Mold appearing? Increase air circulation and remove affected areas immediately.
Plants growing too fast? Time for a trim! Keep them small to maintain your design.
You Did It!
Congratulations—you’ve just built your first terrarium! It’s normal to feel a bit nervous about whether you did everything right. Trust the process, observe your plants over the next few weeks, and make small adjustments as needed.
The beauty of terrariums is that they’re forgiving. Even if things don’t go perfectly, you’ll learn what works for next time!
Happy terrarium building! 🌿✨