A terrarium is an easy and beautiful project

that you can successfully create in one hour.

That includes the travel time to the local
Nursery or Home Improvement store. Here
are the steps to follow.

The Beginners guide to a Beautiful Terrarium

in One Hour

A terrarium is an easy and beautiful project

that you can successfully create in one hour.
That includes the travel time to the local
Nursery or Home Improvement store. Here
are the steps to follow.

The Keys to making a successful Terrarium:

1. Select a container that is unique - This is one of the most important aspects
of a terrarium. Often you will see a Brandy snifter as a terrarium container
and this is perfect because it is very dramatic. Browse through the local
nursery or home improvement store and look for something that is dramatic
or unique. It could be anything that will hold soil and water. Think outside
the box of “a Potted Plant.”
2. Selection of plants – People often fret over which plants go with which
plants and you should give this no thought at all. Select an odd number of
plants such as 3, 5 or 7 and select them with a variety of leaf shapes. Some
should have slender stalks and others should have round and full leaves. Try
to vary the color of the plants too. As you are browsing for your plants place
them side by side to see what they will look like in an arrangement. Does it
look attractive? Do the plants compliment each other. Move the pots around
and look for attractive arrangements.

This picture shows some common materials for making a terrarium

See the variety of plants? I have color, think leaves and broad leaves. And I
have a wide variety of containers. We can call these the three difficulty levels.
The wine bottle is very difficult because of the thin neck. The pickle jar is
medium and the plastic container is the easiest to use.

Materials to Purchase

1. The container
2. 3,5,or 7 plants (this odd numbered arrangement tends to be more
interesting than even numbered arrangements)
3. 1 bag of potting soil
4. 1 small bag of stones for the bottom of the terrarium (You can pick small
stones the size of marbles from your backyard and save a bit of money here)

Making the Terrarium (The Steps)

1. Put a one inch layer of stones in the bottom of your terrarium
2. Fill the container about half full of potting soil
3. Remove the plants from their plastic pots and arrange them in your
terrarium. Move this arrangement around looking for something that pleases
you. (I have a list of terrarium plants here)
4. Once you have found an arrangement you like fill the rest of the container
with potting soil and gently tap it down so it is firm and the plants are
supported.
5. Water with a moderate amount of water.
6. Put the terrarium in a place with moderate or occasional sunlight

Caring for your terrarium

A terrarium is really easy to care for. Check on it every day and stick your
finger in the soil. If it is dry then water it. Examine the bottom of the
terrarium. If there is water among the stones then you should not water it for
a few days.

Want your terrarium to last longer and be even hardier?

You can add a step to this whole process. When at the Store purchase a bag of
something called Spaghnum Moss, (Or Spanish Moss) This is a stringy
material. After you put your drainage rocks in the terrarium put a one-inch
thick layer of the moss as if it were a carpet covering the rocks. Then add your
soil. What this does is prevent the soil from slowly over time draining down
into the rocks. It will keep the roots of your plants drier and healthier.

If you choose a really dramatic container and choose an attractive set of

plants you can make a beautiful terrarium in one hour. And it is something
you will really be proud of and other people will comment on how beautiful it
is.

Terrarium Making is a beautiful hobby and there are many great books that
can help you get better. Check out my bookstore in association with
Amazon.com The terrarium Bookstore
Raising Terrarium Making to an
Art form

Terrarium Making can be just like any

other pursuit or hobby. You can do it
just for fun or you can take it to a whole
new level. I received this picture from a
web visitor (Badia A.) who made the
terrarium and it is a perfect example of
raising the hobby of terrarium making to
an art form.
Four things to think about if you want to
carry terrarium making over to an art form
Here are my thoughts on four very important aspects you can think
about when making a terrarium.

1. The container is not just a container. It is an integral part of

the whole composition and just as much time and energy should go
into the choice and or building of the container. Something like this
often has to slowly simmer within you. One day you are just out
shopping and you see something and think "Wow, that would be
perfect as a container for a terrarium." This has happened to me.

2. Simplicity is key. This is actually very hard to do well. With any

pursuit it is very easy to add more and more things. It's kind of like
the urge to keep doing things. But to pare things down is very hard.
It's actually much like writing in that less is more. Keep this rule in
mind when making terrariums.

3. Plant Selection - There are several factors to consider when

selecting the plant or plants for your terrarium. First off, what does
it look like? What are the colors? Then you have to consider size
and shape. This is a factor in the making of your terrarium and in
the future growth of your terrarium. And there are unknown factors
such as what the plants will need in terms of water, nutrition and
sunlight. Finally you have to think about how well the plants will get
along together. What I mean by this is that some plants may be low
light while others require a lot of sunlight. They would not do well
together in a terrarium because of their differing needs. This also
applies to watering and fertilizing.

Quick list of plant happiness:

 get plants that all have similar requirements in terms of water,

sun and soil
 When using multiple plants try varying the shape, size and
color so they accentuate each other. Different heights are a big
factor.
 Keep in mind that the plants will grow so you need room or get
plants that are fully matured.
 Decide if you want to have easy access to the inside of the
terrarium so you can maintain, prune and make changes (This
has an impact on what you choose as a container)

4. Plant arrangement - A terrarium, as an art form is quite unique

in that you can't just manipulate the objects into the shape and
form that you want. You have to take into consideration the natural
shapes and colors of the plants themselves. And while this may be
constrictive in some ways it is also part of what makes it an art
form. I would say that it is very similar to the art of Bonsai. Nature
plays a role in your art work and you have to be aware of this.

New project: A terrarium in a terrarium

We put together this fun little terrarium. It has moss, plants, and
even origami butterflies. And one terrarium right inside the other.
Fun and easy. I show you step by step. How to make a terrarium
inside a terrarium
Almost any type of houseplant can be used for
your terrarium. Generally you want them to be
hardy and small. Slow growing plants are also
desirable so the terrarium doesn't quickly
outgrow itself. Lower down on this page I have
a selection of terrarium plants you can buy and
have shipped from Amazon.com - Not just for
your ordinary terrarium though, these are
special, exotic or fun plants.

Aesthetics of the terrarium plants you choose

There are several things to consider when choosing plants for your
terrarium.

Choose plants of different heights and leaf shapes and choose some
plants with a splash of color- Your plants should compliment each
other in that they give a nice variety. If all the plants are similar it
is a boring arrangement. The picture here is of an arrangement
with three plants. There is a nice fern that is the tallest and placed
n the back. There is an ivy plant in the foreground. Its broad leaves
fill the space nicely. The third plant, offset to the right is a nice
plant with red striped leaves.
Multiple Plants - When I am shopping for plants I also look for
multiple plants in the same pot. This picture here shows an
abundance of stalks in the pot. These can be separated and planted
in smaller groups or even as individual plants. This gives you good
artistic control over your terrarium. It also allows you to get good
variety without overcrowding.

So Exactly what plants should you get for your terrarium?

If you require low light plants I have another page devoted

to them Low light terrarium plants

I wouldn't worry too much about what exact plants to get for your terrarium. I recommend you
get plants that you find pleasing and see what happens. Care for them as best you can and see
how they do. You can always remove a plant and replace it with something else. Anyway here
are some recommendations to specific plants.
Palm Neanthe Bella Low light and grows slowly - hardy
Very durable, needs little care
Spiderwort
Sweet Kate Blue & Gold Spiderwort (Tradescantia)
Very durable low care plant Swedish Ivy
Swedish Ivy
Plectranthus Verticillatus
Bird Nest Sansivieria Extremely hardy
Irish Moss Makes nice groundcover Crispy Irish Moss
Very hardy and good looking Scottish Moss -
Scottish Moss
Sagina subulata 'Aurea' - Very Hardy
Come in many bright colors but need a lot of
Croton
light Croton
Pothos Medium Light , nice shaped leaves Pothos
Button Fern Lemon Button Fern
Pitcher Plant Carnivorous Pitcher Plant Sarracenia
Butterwort Carnivorous Butterwort Plant
Miniature african violets Adds nice color - Miniature African Violets
Begonia Begonia bundle of 5
High sunlight and sandy soil Instant
Cactus
Cactus/Succulent Collection - 8 Plants 1
Don't hesitate to use herbs like parsley, mint,
chives, oregano or others in your terrarium. They
tend to be hardy, stay small and often add a little
bit of a nice aroma.
Herbs
Assortment of 12 Culinary Herb Seeds - Grow
Cooking Herbs- Parsley, Thyme, Cilantro, Basil,
Dill, Oregano, Sage, More
 Mini palms
 Nerve plant
 Peperomia
 Pilea (nothing kills More Great Terrarium Plants
this one it seems)
 Saliginella 
 Asparagus Fern  Baby Tears
 Table fern (a little 
delicate but not
the worst)
 Begonia Rex
H. Potter Terrarium Garden Planting Kit

 H Potter has assembled a complete kit for planting your new small
terrarium. Attractive enough to send as a gift.
 You receive the following items each individually packed in a burlap
bag: pea gravel 11 oz, activated charcoal 1.5 oz
 sphagnum moss (dead, not for aesthetics, it's for filtration) 0.5 oz, &
soil 7 oz, plus complete planting instructions. (See image of brochure in
other images. Brochure comes folded)
 If you are purchasing an H Potter terrarium see the list below in
product description to select the correct size kit.
 Plants NOT included. We also offer an H Potter Terrarium Planting Kit
in a Medium and a Large size.

Here are some terrarium plants that I have purchased from amazon.com

Baby Tears
Here is the baby tears that I bought. the quarter gives you a good sense for the
size of it and the size of the little leaves.

They are fantastic for terrariums, small leaves and look great.

Hirt's Baby Tears Plant - 4" Pot - Helxine - Great Indoor Plant
This is the exact link to the ones I purchased on Amazon.

Here are ten terrarium plants that I purchased from amazon. They are in 2
inch plastic pots. There are two sets, a set of five ferns for terraiums and a set
of five terrarium plants.

Mini Ferns for Terrariums/Fairy Garden -Assortment of 5 Different

Plants-2" Pots
Terrarium & Fairy Garden Plants - Assortment of 5 Different Plants
in 2" Pots

Live Pixie Cup 2 PACK Cladonia for Terrariums Gardens Bonsai

Crafts

I absolutely love these little pixie cups. I have them in several of

my terrariums.
Live British Soldier Cladonia Cristatella Lichen for Terrariums
Gardens Bonsai 5 PACK

Here is a lightbulb terrarium with the Pixie Cups and the British
Soldiers.

You can see the tutorial on how to make this right here: Make a
Lightbulb Terrarium

Exotic Terrarium Plants you can purchase and have shipped from
Amazon.com

Need some Cactus Plants? Amazon.com has

them.
Baby Blue Baby Tears 4"
(Pilea) Mixed Melocactus Cactus Instant Cactus/Succulent
20 Seeds - Mixed Species Collection - 8 Plants 1

Cactus & Succulent 100

Seeds-Barrel/Column/Old
Man etc. - FREE
SHIPPING ON
Scottish Moss - Sagina ADDITIONAL HIRTS
subulata 'Aurea' - Very SEEDS ORDERED AND Lemon Button Fern
Hardy PAID WITH ONE
PAYMENT!
Terrarium Plants
All

Mini Terrarium Plants (6 Plants) (2" Pots) Fairy Ga…

$16.99
(54)
Exo Terra Plastic Terrarium Plant, Small, Mandarin
$4.19
(576)

Fluker's Repta Vines-Pothos for Reptiles and Amphibians

$5.59$9.99
(397)

Exo Terra Boxwood Bush Terrarium Plant

$14.37
(246)

Succulent Plants (5 Pack), Fully Rooted in Planter Pot…

$16.95
(1736)

Exo Terra Silk Terrarium Plant, Large, Ficus

$8.21$8.30
(43)
5 Large Ionantha Tillandsia Air Plant Pack - Each 2 to…
$14.95
(469)

CNZ Aquarium Fish Tank Green Lifelike Underwate…

$6.99
(74)
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RESOURCES

 Carnivorous plants
 Cactus and Succulents
 Low Light Terrarium Plants
 Wardian Cases
The artist
Paula Hayes
has always been obsessed with the natural world, so it was never
a question of if she would incorporate plants into her work, but
how. That answer came in 2004. At a show entitled “Forest”
at Salon 94 in New York, she introduced the world to the
contemporary terrarium: a delicate blown-glass sphere filled with
stones, moss, and a few small plants. The art world’s reaction to
her work was immediate and enthusiastic. Her terrariums were
featured in Wallpaper and T Magazine, and the gallery sold them
as fast as she could make them. “I had never had that response to
my work,” Hayes recalled recently. “I had never had so many
people say, ‘I’ve never seen anything like that.’”
That Hayes would elevate the terrarium to fine art makes sense in
light of her upbringing and education. The artist grew up in rural
Massachusetts, where she spent the majority of her childhood
playing by herself outdoors. When she moved to New York City
in the 1980s to attend the Parsons School of Design, she began
working as a gardener on the side. “I had to be around plants when
I moved to New York City,” she told Artsy. “I’m very sensitive to
the environment. It’s a natural connection that I have.”
One of Hayes’s first shows to incorporate living plants, held at AC
Project Room in 1997, featured a conceptual piece involving a
shelf of potted plants, entitled An Agreement for a Potted Plant
as an Artwork. Hayes would only allow the sale of plants to a
collector who co-signed a contract promising to keep them alive.
“I was sincere, and I crafted it very, very carefully,” she
told Artsy. In the contract, there is a clause that addresses what
happens if one of the plants dies. “It’s phrased as a ‘perfectly
understandable mishap,’ but I wouldn’t say it’s tongue-in-cheek,”
she said. “Because it’s really about the idealism to go on in the
face of the potential of death.”

Terrariums Let Anyone

Create a “Perfect World” in
Their Own.
The bringing of the art of the
terrarium is generally credited with a man
called Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward. This came
about with the publishing of his book called
"On the Growth of Plants in Closely Glazed
Cases" which he published in 1842. The second
edition of this book was published in 1852 and
is readily available in the public domain.