How to Plant a Terrarium

When you can't grow outdoors, create an indoor garden that fits on a tabletop

How to build a terrarium

Ann Whitman shows how to build a terrarium at our garden center in Burlington, VT.

What You Need

  • A planting container
  • Plants
  • Gravel or small stones for drainage
  • Coir Brick
  • Fiberglass screen

I love planting unusual tropical plants inside glass containers to create small, fascinating worlds. They invite you in for a closer look and provide a perfect escape from the wintry weather outside. Terrariums are easy to care for and don't require any special skills for success.

Shop for Terrariums and Supplies

 

Glass for terrarium

When choosing a container, remember that closed containers hold more humidity and create a jungle-like atmosphere. Open containers are ideal for cactus and succulent gardens, as well as other plants that prefer less humidity. Clear, smooth glass offers the best view of the plants.

To make positioning the plants easier, it helps to have a pair of long tweezers (used for aquarium plants) or a set of kitchen tongs.

Plants that can be grown in a terrarium

When choosing plants, select varieties that will thrive where you plan to display your terrarium. How much light will the plants will receive? South- and west-facing windows provide strong, bright light. East windows are medium. Fluorescent office lighting and north-facing windows provide low to medium light.

After light requirements, I consider the suitability of plants for life in a container. Ideally, the plants will grow slowly or remain small. I look for a mix of textures, colors and growing habits. Be sure to choose pest-free plants; even snails and slugs can wreak havoc in a terrarium.

Coir Brick for terrarium

The first step in assembling the terrarium is to soak the planting medium. I use Coir Bricks, which are made from coconut husk fiber. Coir has a loose, airy texture and it holds water without getting soggy. Its neutral pH, natural color and resistance to decay make it ideal for a closed environment.

Rehydrating coir

Soak the coir brick in a bucket with plenty of warm water for about 30 minutes and break it up with a trowel as it expands.

Gravel for drainage in terrarium

To ensure good drainage, I add an inch or two of gravel to the bottom of the container. Avoid shells, limestone and other materials that might change the pH of the soil. By making a well in the center, I create more space for soil (and plant roots).

Cutting a screen to keep gravel free of soil

Cut a piece of fiberglass window screen to completely cover the gravel. It keeps the soil from falling into the gravel. I use fiberglass because it doesn't rust. Trim for a tight fit so you don't have exposed screen after the soil is added.

Position the fiberglass screen

Position the screen so it covers the gravel.

Adding moistened coir to the terrarium

Next, put moistened coir into the container, on top of the screen. Add at least 2", and even 3" if the container is deep enough. I like to step back and make sure that the proportion of soil within the container is pleasing; usually, the deeper the container, the better it looks with more soil. If I plan to view the terrarium from one side, I may slope the soil so that it's deeper at the back to make the landscape more interesting.

Preparing plants for the terrarium

Before setting plants into the terrarium, move them around on the tabletop to decide on the best combination and arrangement.

Starting with the largest plant, gently remove as much of the soil and white perlite as you can from the root mass. Trim overly long roots to help fit them into the container.

Positioning plants in the terrarium

I like to place the tallest plant toward the back or off-center to create an asymmetrical design.

Dividing plants before planting them

Some pots may have more than one plant in them. You can divide these and place the smaller plants around the terrarium to create unity or rhythm in your design.

Dividing plants before planting them

Before using, rehydrate the sheet moss by dipping it in a bowl of water. Break it into smaller bits and tuck it into pockets throughout the terrarium.

Using tongs to position plants and moss in the terrarium

Use tongs to position moss and plants. Mine are made for aquarium planting, but you can also use kitchen tongs.

How to water a terrarium

Terrariums don't require much more than occasional watering and trimming. I use a small watering can or a little cup to water down the inside surface of the container, so that I don't disturb the plants. It's important to keep the water level just below the screen so that the soil doesn't get saturated.

Last updated: 08/21/2023