How to Make a Terrarium - A Beginner’s Guide (Step-By-Step) (2024)

Contrary to popular belief, terrariums don’t require complex methods or materials to create captivating results.

With the right DIY approach – and some reliable plant choices – creating beautiful living art has never been so easy. Even the simplest of terrariums can look professional if they follow these horticultural principles.

That’s why, in this article, we’re going back to basics.

I’ll show you how to make a terrarium in the most straightforward process. Taking you through every step from the ground up and telling you everything you need (and don’t need) along the way.

So, let’s dig in!

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Closed Terrarium 101

First things first, let’s make sure we’re talking about the same type of terrarium here.

After all, modern terrariums come in many forms nowadays. However, they’re broadly divided into two categories:open terrariumsandclosed terrariums.

This distinction is crucial as it will drive both the process and terrarium supplies you’ll be needing.

All those colorful dish gardens and Pinterest-perfect succulent terrariums? Yeah, we’re not tackling those today… Open terrariums have their place, but we’re building afunctionalplant terrarium here, so we’re talking exclusively aboutclosed terrariums.

The kind that can trap humidity and generate a lovely tropical environment for our plants.

After all, the original terrarium (the Wardian Case) was designed to transport tropical plants around the world. Now we’re going to pay homage to that history by creating a stunning slice of nature for our home.

So, let’s get to making one!

Glass Terrarium Containers

Almost anyglass container can become a beautiful terrarium.

That said,the shape and sizedefinitelyhave an effect on how easy they are to plant up.

Basically,the wider the opening, the easier it is to work with.So, I wouldn’t recommend starting with abottle terrarium. They really are as tricky as they look!

Instead, I’d look for the likes of goldfish bowls, vases, aquariums, and larger mason jars… you get the idea. It needn’t be fancy; you can get some great glassware from thrift stores, online marketplaces, and TK Maxx (TJ Maxx in the States).

If you can get your hand inside it, you’re on to a winner.

Check out myterrarium container guidefor practical sourcing advice.

Ideally, they’ll be closed containers with existing lids, but don’t worry if your chosen container is lidless (they so often are, and the one we’re using is).

We have severalterrarium lid solutionsat our disposal, and Cling film (saran wrap) works just fine as a quick fix too.

Choosing Terrarium Plants

Choosing your plants is naturally the most exciting (and possibly the most crucial) part of the project.

To match the high humidity and temperature found in a closed terrarium environment, you’ll need to useexclusivelytropical plants.

That’s right, cowboy, put the succulents and cacti down!

You’ll also want to consider the size and growth of your potential plants. Working with such limited space, if you want a terrarium project that’s as easy to maintain as it is to build, then stick tominiaturevarietiesandslowergrowers.

That said, if you don’t mind regular trimming, then the plant world is your oyster.

To help you make your decision, you can peruse our guides toclosed terrarium plantsand thebest terrarium plants for beginners.Both havean abundance of plant inspiration and terrarium-friendly options.

Okay, so where do we start in picking our terrarium plants?

To keep things simple, I’d look to choose from a few categories for a vibrant, natural-looking scene.

• Foliage– You’ll need a show-stopping feature plant (or two) in the foreground to create a point of focus and a splash of color.

Top Picks: Polka Dot Plants and Nerve Plants are both classic beginner terrarium plants. ThePileagenus also has some gorgeous options in the Aluminum Plant and the Moon Valley Pilea.

• Ferns– Ferns almost universally make fantastic terrarium plants. They are the kings and queens of texture, and theyadorehigh humidity and warmth. Not to mention, there are so manyterrarium fernvarieties to choose from.

Top Picks: I’m partial to a miniature Sword Fern (the Lemon Button Fern makes an appearance in almost all of my terrariums), but today I’m using aPterisFern.

• Vines– Most of us won’t have the terrarium space to grow a bulletproof Pothos plant, but thankfully there are some equally reliable miniatureterrarium vinesthat fit the bill.

Top Picks: For smaller builds, bothFicus pumilaandPilea glaucaspring to mind, as does the entireSelaginella (Clubmoss) genus. I’m also a fan ofSyngonium(particularly the Pixie variety!).

• Moss– Moss is the cherry on top of the terrarium cake and really brings the whole woodland/tropical look together spectacularly.

Top Picks: The two standoutmosses for terrariumsare Cushion Moss and Mood Moss. These grow in clumps instead of sheets and, for that reason, aremucheasier to style in a terrarium.

1. Drainage

Adrainage layer(commonly known as aterrarium false bottom) is there to make your life easier.

Essentially, they provide a space for excess water to drain, and they act as a failsafe to protect your plants from root rot if you accidentally add too much water to the system. Which is all too easily done…

To get started, we simply need to add a layer of suitable drainage material at the bottom of the container.

Gravel is a common and inexpensive option, but I like to use porous materials where possible (e.g., lava rock or leca) as they’re lighter and bring some additional benefits for your plant roots.

👉 You can shop leca in terrarium-ready sizes on our store.

An inch is enough for most projects.

As part of the drainage layer(s), this is where you can opt to add a mesh screen and/or anactivated charcoal layer too.

Both provide benefits – the former to keep substrate out of the drainage layer and the latter for filtration.

If you want to keep things streamlined, you can skip them (neither are strictly necessary), but both are recommended for terrarium longevity.

👉 Check out mesh and activated charcoal on our shop.

2. Soil

Next, the all-importantsoil layer– getting a good quality substrate is imperative.

We need something that will drain well, retain moisture, and provide nutrients.

To keep things straightforward, I recommend choosing a purpose-made mix (why make life difficult?).

If you have any to hand, the classic ABG mix is always a solid choice, but any high-quality tropical, fern, or terrarium mix should work just fine.

👉 Naturally, I’m going to recommend our premium terrarium substrate mix here. It’s perfect for the job!

See ourterrarium substrate guidefor help in customizing a mix for your project.

(If all you have is potting soil, it can work, but it’s far from ideal in terms of terrarium longevity).

As far as depth goes here, you’ll need to add enough to house your plants’ roots comfortably. For reference, mine ended up around three inches deep where I put my plants, but naturally, this depends on which plants you have.

3. Hardscape

Okay, so hardscape isn’t anessentialpart of a terrarium.

But it’s such an easy way to elevate the whole thing, I really do recommend it.

Seriously, a singlehardscape element can quickly take your terrarium from zero to hero. Providing much-neededtexture and structureto your build, it’ll draw the eye up, contrast your plants, and bring together a natural look.

All of this by just adding a rock or branch to a terrarium? Worth it!

In my experience, rocks can be a little easier to maneuver and anchor in the substrate, but you can choose anyterrarium rockordriftwoodthat takes your fancy.

Partially burying your hardscape can be a good way to add some stability, packing in the substrate around the base. You don’t want anything falling over and cracking the glass…

4. Plants

At long last, it’s time to plant up!

I recommendstarting with your tallest/largest plantand working your way to the smallest. This helps you keep a sense of the scale and create visually stunning levels.

Create a hole in the substrate (the end of your brush will do the job nicely) and pop your plant’s roots in, smoothing the substrate around it to keep it in place.

Pro Tip: If you find this tricky, you can give the substrate a light watering with a spray bottle. A damp substrate can be easier to work with, but don’t soak it.

Now that the main plants are in place, it’s time to pull it all together with moss. That’s what completes the “natural look” of our miniature forest garden. It’s also my favorite part!

Start by grabbing your clumpy moss of choice and tease apart a tuft the size you’d like (you may need to trim off the fibrous excess underneath it).

Simply place it where you’d like it in your terrarium, with the green bit facing outwards towards the viewer. Then continue till satisfied.

These kinds of mosses won’t grow outwards a whole lot, so if you want full moss coverage, then keep adding until all of the substrate is covered.

5. Finishing Touches

Voila, the terrarium is done!

All that’s left is to do is give it a light watering with a spray bottle and seal it up.

If you have a lid, then feel free to pop it on and marvel at your new creation. If not, here’s an easy solution using some Saran Wrap.

A well-built terrarium ecosystem mostly looks after itself (and following this guide should get you there).

That said, they’re rarely a completely hands-off care experience. Even once you’ve got the basics down, they still need a little attention/maintenance every so often.

Here are the main points to look out for.

• Light– Keep your terrarium in a spot where it receives plenty of bright indirect sunlight. An hour of direct sunlight here and there is generally fine, but too much will scorch your plants.
• Water– Knowinghow to water a terrariumproperly is half the battle. If the substrate looks bone dry and/or your plants are wilting, add a couple of extra sprays where needed. You want the substrate to be evenly moist but never sodden.
• Mold– One (super common) problem with new terrariums is a mold outbreak. The heat and humidity make terrariums an ideal environment for mold. Don’t panic if this happens! It’s totally normal, and there area variety of ways to deal with mold in terrariums.

A great way to avoid mold issues from day one is to add a colony of springtails and make abioactive terrarium. These tiny detritivorous insects that feed off mold – handy, right?

👉 Check out terrarium springtails on our store (or see myterrarium care guidefor more details on all of the above).

Phew, you made it.

I hope you’ve fallen head over heels in love with your new terrarium.

If you want to show it off, make sure you post it on Instagram and tag us (@terrariumtribe). We’dloveto see it, and we’re always happy to share it with our ever-growing terrarium community!

Alternatively, if you want an even easier start to your project, you could check out our favorite terrarium kits.