It’s that time of year again. The occasional warm day reminds us spring is very close. A great way to get excited for spring and bring green plants indoors is by planting a terrarium.
A terrarium is an enclosed glass container filled with plants and soil that creates a mini-ecosystem. Moisture will condense on the glass, then rain back down into the soil so they will only need watering every few weeks. Begin by choosing any enclosed container with a lid, such as a jar, vessel, or conservatory. Then select plants that stay small and compact with similar light and moisture requirements. You’ll want to leave room for the plants to grow. You can add plants that may become too large; they’ll just need an occasional pruning.
Now it’s time to plant. Begin by adding a small layer of pebbles to create a reservoir for water, this helps prevent soggy soil. It should be about 1/2” deep. Then, add a very thin layer of activated charcoal to barely cover the rocks. This helps keep the terrarium fresh. Now it’s time to add potting mix. Eagle Rock Nursery Complete Potting Mix will work for an enclosed container. These layers should take up 1/3 of the container. Then, add plants and even decorative twigs, moss, or figurines.
After it’s all planted, water gently, without overwatering and leave the lid off for a couple days. This will help even out the moisture level. It’s important to not overwater because you won’t be able to take water back out. Condensation should appear inside on the walls of the container but not the top. If it does form on the top, remove the lid for a day or two. And, once the condensation disappears from the sides, it’s time to gently water again.
Place it in a room with bright light, but not direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can make it too hot and essentially cook the plants. Remove any fallen leaves to prevent fungus from growing. Feed the plants with a houseplant food about once a month.
Terrariums are fun to create and a great way to bring the outdoors inside. They are also a great activity for kids. They can learn about plants and have the responsibility of caring for it. For more information on how to plant terrariums, visit us today.
