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A terrarium can be an attractive addition to almost any room. Whether you choose a brandy snifter with a few small plants or a large 20-gallon container complete with terrestrial animals, your mini ecosystem will be a delight to create and a low maintenance accent in your office or home.
Where you plan to display your glass garden, the types of plants you prefer, and whether you want animals, crickets, etc., must all be considered in determining the size of your terrarium. If this is your first terrarium, it might be wise to start “small” and experiment with various combinations of plants.
If you want a terrarium for your office desktop, you will likely want to choose a container no larger than a round fish bowl. If the container you choose has no cover, turn the container upside down on a piece of paper and trace around the top. Take your tracing to a glass shop and ask that they cut a piece of glass slightly larger in the desired shape and smooth the edges. If you plan a large terrarium, in a ten-gallon fish tank for example, you will be able to use the standard fish tank hood and lighting arrangement. However, you may need to add a screen cover underneath the hood if you plan to have crickets, geckos, or other creatures that might easily escape.
Once you have chosen a container, you should clean it with baking soda and water, and rinse it thoroughly. Next, add the soil. The bottom layer should be sand or small pebbles (for drainage) combined with a small amount of charcoal (the type used in fish tank filters). Place at least an inch of topsoil on top of the sand mixture. In larger terrariums you will be able to add more soil and contour the surface as desired. Try to obtain soil from the same location you obtain your plants. If your container is large enough, including one or more rocks will add interest to your arrangement. For a more natural look, partially bury them in the soil.
You are now ready to add plants. If you have a small container, you may need to use chopsticks or the handle of a wooden spoon to help with the planting. Plants commonly grown in terrariums include various kinds of moss, small ferns, peperomia, partridge berry, trailing arbutus, and some carnivorous plants, like Venus flytrap. Add the mosses last to cover problem spots or provide continuity to the plantings as needed. Water all the plants just enough to settle the soil. Always remember to avoid standing water in the bottom of the container. This can promote bacterial growth and algae, and suffocate the plants’ roots.
Even if you choose not to include animals in your terrarium, it is best not to use chemical fertilizers or other types of artificial nutrients. Your miniature ecosystem doesn’t need to grow rapidly and will thrive quite nicely if occasionally (once a month) misted with a fish emulsion solution. Mist your plants often with plain (not chlorinated) water. Rainwater is preferable, but if not practical, use tap water that has been allowed to sit uncovered for 24 hours.
If you set up a large terrarium and want to keep animals, you might consider geckos or other lizards, small tortoises, or toads. Crickets make delightful additions to a terrarium that is not home to their predators (toads, lizards, and tortoises). Consult your pet supplier for appropriate food. If you choose to include animals, terrarium maintenance becomes more complex. An adequate supply of fresh drinking water must be provided at all times, care must be taken to avoid mold growth on uneaten food, and you must ensure that the air in the terrarium does not become stagnate.
Small terrariums are great projects for children and make excellent gifts - plants only please!
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