Making Terrariums - So Simple a Child Could Do It

What is a gardener to do in the wintertime when he or she needs their plant fix?
Start an indoor garden, of course! 

Terrariums are all the rage right now, and as they seem like a possible solution to my houseplant-munching cat, I enjoyed making a couple of them this winter.

Terrarium: a glass container, chiefly or wholly enclosed, for growing and displaying plants

Terrariums being sold at the hardware store

Now that they are so popular, it is a lot easier finding a variety of little plants for terrariums that were previously not available locally.

Fittonia albivenis (white), Palm seedling, Hypoestes (red), Fern

 Of course, as soon as my kids saw the first terrarium I made, they wanted to make one, so out came the old goldfish bowls out of storage. 

(RIP Fishy 1 and Fishy 2)

How to Make a Terrarium

Step 1: Choose a glass container, either open or closed, and clean thoroughly.  Choose your container with your plants in mind - some plants enjoy the high humidity of a closed terrarium, while other plants need more air circulation.

Step 2:  Put clean rocks, sand, or marbles in the bottom for drainage.  

This was actually my kids' favorite step - going outside and collecting rocks for their terrarium kept them quite busy for a good hour or two!  (This is of course much easier when you have an extremely mild winter and no snow..)

My more decorative river rocks

Step 3:  If you have a closed container, put a few spoonfuls of activated charcoal over the rocks to filter the air and prevent the buildup of bad microorganisms and odors.  You can find it at the pet store in the aquarium section (sometimes it will be labeled as activated carbon).

Step 4:  If desired, put a layer of moss or a mesh to prevent the soil from falling down into your decorative rocks.  You can use sphagnum moss or landscape fabric or any sheer fabric.  I used a strip of sheet moss I had, turned upside down.

Step 5:  Plant your plants, using a light potting soil.

Hmm... this one is still going to have to go up high out of reach of the cat..

Some common plants for terrariums include Fittonia albivenis (also known as Nerve Plant), certain types of Begonias, orchids, ferns, Peperomia, and Hypoestes (also known as Polka Dot Plant).  Make sure to choose a grouping of plants that all prefer the same light and humidity levels. 

Clockwise from top left:  Fittonia albivenis (pink), Fittonia albivenis (small and white), Palm seedling, Hypoestes (red), Fern

Step 6:  Add any decorative items you would like.  My four-year-old added rocks and glitter hearts to her terrarium.

My four-year-old's terrarium: Fittonia albivenis (pink), Fittonia albivenis (red)

My two year old added the rest of her rocks on top and left me to finish with sheet moss - she just wanted to go outside and collect more rocks!

My two-year-old's terrarium: Fittonia albivenis (pink), button fern

Step 7:   Lightly water your plants (the lightly part being the hardest step for kids - I suggest a spray bottle) and set in a location that gets the proper amount of light.   Most terrarium plants like a decent amount of indirect light but not direct light. 

Water the terrarium every once in a while when the soil starts getting dry.  If you have a closed terrarium, you will need to let it air out every few weeks and be careful not to overwater (especially with little kids that looove to water).

My four-year-old's terrarium

As you can see, making a terrarium is so simple even a child could do it!

Now keeping it alive, that's another story...