Alexis JimeneaTerrariums are becoming a modern trend in many homes. Compared to regular house plants that require a considerable amount of attention and care, terrariums are easy to create, affordable, and require little to no maintenance. There is a wide variety of the kind of terrariums an owner can have, so here’s a beginner’s guide to making your own terrarium and how you can customize them to fit your lifestyle.
Photo: Jeff Sheldon via Unsplash
What are terrariums?
Terrariums are simply a display of various kinds of plants – a miniature garden. Initially used to demonstrate how an ecosystem works, terrariums have now become a popular trend among homeowners, bringing a sense of inspiration and joy of nature to the household. The simple, aesthetic atmosphere they bring is what makes it such a popular item. The best part, terrariums can be personalized according to your personality and style.
Types of terrariums
There are two kinds of terrariums you can create: open terrariums and closed terrariums.
- Open terrariums house plants that require little to no moisture and need additional air circulation and sunlight, such as succulents, cacti, and ferns.
- Closed terrariums houseplants that thrive in moist environments, such as mosses, ferns, orchids, Venus flytraps and air plants. When caring for your closed terrarium, it is important to open your container every week or so to prevent excess moisture from building up within the walls of your terrarium and allowing mold to grow and thrive on your plants.
What you need:
- Glass container
- Potting soil
- Activated charcoal
- Pebbles or rocks
- Plants or succulents of choice
- Moss (optional)
- Decorative pieces
- Spray bottle
To create the base for your terrarium, layer the activated charcoal in the bottom of your container first, followed by layers of pebbles, moss, and soil on top. The activated charcoal acts as a “drainage” for your plants, so that excess water will not stay in the soil and ruin the roots of your plants.
If you cannot find activated charcoal, you can also use gravel at the bottom layer of your container. Once the base of your terrarium is complete, you can arrange your plants and decorative pieces however you like.
Photo via Pixabay
What kind of plants can I have in my terrarium?
There is an endless arrange of plants you can choose to have in your terrarium. It is up to you on which types of plants you like and wish to care for. Here’s a list of a few plants that are popular to have in a terrarium:
- Air plants
- Moss
- Succulents
- Cacti
- Aquamarine
- Spider ferns
When purchasing your plants, be sure to ask a plantsman how much watering is required and the kind of soil to purchase to ensure the quality and life of your terrarium. It is also best to get plants that thrive in similar environmental conditions so that taking care of them will be much easier.
Taking care of your terrarium
It is best to keep your terrarium where there is a good amount of sunlight. If browning happens to suddenly appear on the leaves of your plants, move your terrarium away from sunlight until the brown disappears. Begin caring for your terrarium by watering every two weeks, and continue to water sparingly depending on the circumstances of your plants.
Photo: James Pond via Unsplash
Benefits of Terrariums
There are actually many proven health benefits when owning a terrarium. They are proven to help reduce harmful contaminants in the air while improving air circulation through photosynthesis. Also, by having a terrarium or small plant near your workspace, they can help:
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improving concentration levels and
- Induce positive and happy feelings
Photo: Scott Webb via Unsplash
Personalizing your terrarium
Ultimately, it is up to you how you wish to customize your terrarium. Find inspiration from anywhere, and everywhere. Whether it’s regarding the surroundings of your home or your personal style, create a terrarium that makes you feel happy. Choose the kinds of plants you like and the type of container you feel will help benefit your plants the most. You can layer the base in many different ways, and can also decide which kind of decorative pieces would suit your setting best. There is an endless amount of possibilities that can occur while creating your terrarium, so be sure get creative! Happy planting – this is a great way to embrace green living!
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