If you've ever wanted to add a touch of green to your home, then this tutorial is for you. It will show how to create a stylish and unique glass-jar terrarium that's perfect for beginners. A terrarium is an enclosed ecosystem where plants live happily in the same environment as their soil, water and sunlight. They're great for those who don't have access to a garden or just want some greenery without much hassle. Plus, they're easy to make and care for! Top off your homemade terrarium with decorative accents like tiny figurines or shells if you wish—there are no rules here!
Place a layer of small, smooth stones or pebbles in the bottom of the jar to help drainage.
Next, you'll want to line the bottom of your glass jar with small, smooth stones or pebbles. This helps with drainage.
Add an inch or two of activated charcoal.
Activated charcoal is a type of charcoal that has been heated to a very high temperature and treated with oxygen. The result is a porous substance that absorbs odors and toxins, keeps the soil moist, retains nutrients and prevents fertilizer runoff.
Add a layer of potting soil.
Now it's time to add a layer of potting soil. This is the same stuff you'd use if you were planting regular plants in your garden, but there are some important things to keep in mind when using it as a terrarium substrate:
- Potting soil is usually preferable to composted bark mix or worm castings because it drains better and has more nutrients for your plants.
- A mix of potting soil and perlite creates an environment that allows air flow while preventing drainage issues, which makes this an ideal choice for most terrariums. It also helps keep humidity levels from dropping too low, so make sure you include some perlite if you're working with succulents or cacti (which prefer drier conditions).
- You can also use sand instead of or along with peat moss as part of your substrate; just make sure not to fill up more than two-thirds of the jar with sand since this will reduce airflow inside the container!
Choose moss, ferns and plants that thrive in indoor humidity.
If you're building a terrarium, you'll need to pick plants that thrive in indoor humidity. These are the types of plants that will do well in your jar:
- Ferns
- Mosses
- Succulents
Plant your terrarium.
If you're using a glass jar, it's best to only use small clumps of plants at first and create a layered look throughout the terrarium by placing them higher in certain areas. For example, plant moss on the bottom of your terrarium and then plant ferns on top of that. The moss will act as an anchor for your other plants so they don't sink into it when watering or cleaning out debris.
Next, add any other plants that require lower light levels (like those with tiny leaves). These could be any number of small-leafed succulents or cacti; just make sure they aren't getting too much light because they'll become sunburned quickly! It's always best to err on the side of caution here if you're unsure about how much natural light there is in your home environment; just like people need sunscreen for their skin if they spend time outdoors in summer months so do these little guys need protection from harsh rays too!
You can also add taller types such as cycads which grow very tall but stay under five feet wide while still maintaining their shape over time even though they have no leaves at all but only cones instead - these are perfect examples why knowing what type(s) belong inside each container before hand matters so much because otherwise we'd have wasted money buying something potentially dangerous (such as poison oak) which could cause harm upon ingestion due its close proximity with food items...
Add decorative accents like tiny figurines if you wish.
You can also decorate your terrarium with decorative accents like tiny figurines, if you wish. These make great additions to the terrarium because they add interest and help make the scene look more realistic. You can create your own figurines from polymer clay or purchase them at a craft store. Keep in mind that you may want to use figurines that represent people or animals, as these will be visible through the glass of your terrarium. If you choose this option, consider creating a theme for all of your figurines so they will match the style of your terrarium. For example, if you have an underwater scene with coral reefs in it then it might be fun to use fish (or even shrimp) as decorations -- but don't forget about sharks!
Give your terrarium bright, indirect light and keep it moist but not soggy.
You will want to place your terrarium in a spot with bright but indirect light. If you live in a cold climate, keep the terrarium close to a window and be sure not to expose it to too much direct sunlight as this can cause overheating. If you live in a warm climate, place the terrarium near an east-facing window so that it receives plenty of morning sun.
Keep the soil moist but not wet (you should be able to squeeze out some water without squeezing out chunks of soil). You can check on its moisture level once or twice per month by pushing your finger into the soil; if it feels dry about an inch down, give it about five minutes for some moisture from above ground level to soak into the deeper layers before watering again. For best results, water every few weeks by misting with a spray bottle or watering can until water drips through drainage holes at bottom of glass jar; do not submerge entire terrarium under water!
Terrariums are simple to make and care for, and they add a touch of green wherever you place them.
On your desk at work, in the bathroom, or even on your coffee table. They're also a good choice if you don't have much time to care for plants or hate watering plants—terrariums require very little maintenance.
As long as you choose the right type of plants for the environment in which you'll be placing your terrarium (i.e., don't put cacti with tropical houseplants), terrariums are practically foolproof.
Terrariums are a great way to add some greenery to your home, and they’re easy to care for. They also make great gifts! We hope you enjoyed learning about how to build a terrarium with us today. If you want more information on this topic or would like to share your own tips and tricks with others, feel free browse our website for more articles like this one or contact us directly.
