Terrarium kit

Course DIY

Keyword garden gifts, houseplants, indoor garden, terrarium

Prep Time 30

Total Time 30

A clear container with gravel, activated charcoal, light potting soil and small slow-growing plants.

What You’ll Need

Clear-glass container with a lid (jar, globe, or unused aquarium) thoroughly cleaned
Coarse gravel or small stones 1 to 2 inches deep (thicker for larger containers)
Activated charcoal a thin layer
Light potting soil with perlite and/or vermiculite 2 to 3 inches deep
Small slow-growing plants (e.g., miniature ferns, polka dot plant, miniature African violets, mosses)
A long-handled spoon chopsticks, or tongs; water for misting
Optional decorations: sand, colored aquarium stone, moss, shells, miniature figurines

Directions

Clean the container thoroughly.
Spread 1 to 2 inches of coarse gravel or stones in the bottom for drainage.
Add a thin layer of activated charcoal.
Add 2 to 3 inches of light potting soil.
Plan the layout on a plate or a sheet of paper, with tall plants behind short ones and room to grow.
Take each plant out of its pot, shake off extra soil, loosen the roots, set it in, and press the soil firmly around the base, using long tools if needed.
Water lightly, by misting or with spoonfuls.
Finish with sand, gravel, stone, or moss and add decorations.
Put the lid on.

Notes

Gift idea. If moisture collects on the glass, open briefly. Well-sealed terrariums may not need water for months. Keep in bright light but NOT direct sun (glass magnifies heat). For cacti and succulents, leave the lid off and water as needed.

Safety: Glass containers and small decorations: adult help for kids; figurines and stones are choking hazards under age 3. Wear gloves and a dust mask with dry potting mix and charcoal dust.