Terrariums are a great way to try your hand at indoor container gardening. Even if you are a confirmed plant serial killer, you can still grow a terrarium successfully. Terrariums can fit in any decor and can be as modern or traditional as you want. They can be the size of a thimble or take up a whole room - it's up to you and your imagination.
1. How to Make a Terrarium
Photo © Kerry Michaels
Making a terrarium is incredibly easy. You can make a beautiful one in very little time and for very little money. One way to save on your terrarium is to look for glass containers at yard sales, flea markets or thrift stores. Almost anything can be used for a terrarium - from martini glasses to clear christmas ornaments to glass cylanders.
The wider the mouth of your terrarium, the easier it will be to fill it. That said, you can always use tongs, chopstics or tools especially designed to fill tight spaces.
A terrarium can be closed or open, and there are advantages and disadvantages to each.
2. Terrarium Plants
Photograph © Kerry Michaels
Not all plants will thrive in terrariums. When you are looking to buy terrarium plants you'll want to look for small plants that will fit through the opening in your terrarium. Also, if you're making a closed terrarium, you won't want to put it in the sun, which would cook your plants, so look for low or medium light plants. Also look for plants that have a high humidity tolerance - most succulents or desert plants aren't good choices for terrariums.
Terrariums provide a great opportunity to combine plants with a great variety of leaf shape and structures.
3. Pictures of Terrariums
Photograph © Kerry Michaels
Looking at pictures of terrariums can give you some great ideas. This photo gallery shows several different styles of terrariums.
4. DIY Terrarium Video
Photograph © Kerry Michaels
This video gives a hands-on demonstration of how to make a large terrarium.
Video: How To Make A Terrarium
5. Common Mistakes
Photograph © Kerry Michaels
In this article you will find out what the common mistakes are and how to avoid them.
10 Common Terrarium Mistakes>6. Fabulous Terrarium Book
Photograph © Kindra Clineff
I credit Tovah Martin's fabulous book, "The New Terrarium," for my current obsession with terrariums. The book is stunning and has lots of great and innovative ideas.
Review of "The New Terrarium," by Tovah Martin
