Best Plant For A Terrarium

What Are Terrariums

A terrarium is a mini portable garden.  It is low maintenance and small so it fits in many locations.  There are two types of terrariums. Open terrariums and Closed Terrariums. Before you can decide which type is right for you, let’s look at the differences between them.

open terrarium

Open Terrarium

Plants – An open terrarium prefers circulating air and a drier environment.  Plants such as aloe, hens and chicks, cacti, succulents, and air plants (tillandsia) are all ideal for this environment.  (If these plants were in a closed terrarium they would rot).

Drainage  - to keep plants healthy in an open terrarium, the terrarium requires pebbles, soil, charcoal, and rocks. 

Not Self-Sufficient – an open terrarium is not self-sufficient.  Because it is open, the air will dry out the soil more quickly so you will need to water it more often – either once a week or when the soil gets dry.

Location – an open terrarium can be located in the full sun and direct light. 

A few extra notes on the open terrarium :

-          Easier for first-time growers

-          Better airflow

-          No issues with condensation

-          Mold and rot are not a risk

-          High chance of success

-           

Closed Terrarium

Plants – in a closed terrarium, the plants you choose must enjoy a moist space.  Plants such as baby ferns, spider plants, baby tears, and prayer plants

Drainage – to keep plants healthy in a closed terrarium, you must layer soil, charcoal, and rocks.

Self–Sufficient: A closed terrarium has a lid. Water condenses on the side of the glass and falls back to the plants and soil, so watering is not required.

Location – A closed terrarium requires indirect light.  If it was in full sun, it would get much too hot in the glass and the plants could not live.  The lid must be opened once a month for about 20 minutes to allow air circulation.

A few extra notes on a closed terrarium:

-          Less maintenance as the system is self-sufficient

-          More variety of plants to grow

-          More challenging for growers

Now that you know the difference between an open and closed system, you just have to ask yourself,

What kind of plants do I want to grow? 

How Do Terrariums Work

Let’s take a look at how a closed terrarium system works.  It is a perfect balance of water, humidity, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nutrients.  The plants photosynthesize and release oxygen providing a humid environment for the plants.

A terrarium is a balancing act between the right plants, materials, and containers.  The care you provide creates the perfect ecosystem in the glass. 

On earth, water evaporates from the surface of the earth to become water vapor in the atmosphere.  The water vapor cools and condenses to form clouds.

Water returns to the earth in the form of precipitation. And it begins again.

A terrarium works much the same way.

We add water by spraying the terrarium.  The water runs down into the soil (substrate) like rainfall.  Plants take in water through their roots that are in the soil and send it through the plant tissue.   The water leaves the plant out of tiny pores on the upper and lower side of the leaves (stomata).  Then into the atmosphere. This is called Transpiration.  When the environment warms up, the surface water from the leaves and glass evaporates. Evaporation cools the temperature, similar to a person when you work really hard and sweat, the sweat makes you cool down.    When the environment then cools, the moisture attaches itself to the glass container (the terrarium).  This forms condensation. It then runs down the side of the glass and the cycle begins again. 

 

How Do You Care for Terrariums

Depending on whether you have an open or closed terrarium, the plants differ.  If you have an open terrarium, you have cacti, succulents, air plants, and aloe. They do not require a lot of maintenance but need to be watered regularly and fertilized. 

These types of plants are very low maintenance.  There may be an odd plant that loses a leaf that needs to be removed.  If the water is maintained correctly, you can enjoy your terrarium until your plants get too large and need to be removed and replaced.

In a closed system, the is more of a balance to be sure there is not too much water, but there is enough to sustain the plants.  Once a month, the closed terrarium should be opened to allow airflow.  This will help to prevent fungal or bacterial growth which can harm the plants.  Also to prevent this, it is important to ensure the plants are not overwatered.  Regularly check the soil moister and if needed, adjust the watering schedule. Keep your closed terrarium in a bright spot out of the sun.  The inside temperature should remain fairly consistent.    You must prune or remove any dead or dying plants to maintain the overall health of the terrarium. 

Best Plants for Terrariums – Plant Names

Here is a list of Plants for Terrariums

 Basic Terrarium Plant Tips – Terrarium Plant Health

1.        Proper Light – make sure the terrarium is getting the right amount of light.  Most terrarium plants prefer bright, indirect light.

2.       Temperature and Humidity – Keep the temperature and humidity levels stable for your plants.  Most terrarium plants prefer a warm and humid environment.

3.       Drainage – Make sure the bottom of the terrarium has proper drainage to prevent roots from rotting.

4.       Fertilizer:  Use a fertilizer formulated for terrarium plants, or a weak solution of regular fertilizer every 2-4 weeks.

5.       Pruning:  Prune dead or overgrown leaves and stems.  This will promote healthy growth and prevent overcrowding.

6.       Pest Control:  Keep an eye out for pests such as spider mites, mealy bugs, and fungus gnats.  Take action immediately if you notice any.

7.       Air Circulation: Keep the terrarium well-ventilated to prevent mold and mildew

8.       Watering: Be careful not to over-water your plants as this leads to root rot.  Allow soil to dry out

How To Make A Terrarium

To make a terrarium, you need the following materials:

-          A clear container (such as a glass jar or bowl

-          Small rocks or gravel

-          Activated charcoal (available at pet stores or online)

-          Potting soil

-          Plants (see list)

-          Option: decorative elements (such as small figurines, shells moss)

Instructions:

1.        Add a layer of small rocks or gravel to the bottom of your container.  This will act as drainage for your plants.

2.       Add a layer of activated charcoal on top of the rocks.  This will help keep the terrarium clean and smelling fresh.

3.       Add a layer of potting soil to the container.  The depth of this layer will depend on the size of your plants.

4.       Remove your plants from their pots and place them in the container.  Arrange them as desired.

layered open terrarium
planting succulents