An Introduction to Terrariums: Must-Have Mini Gardens
No backyard or terrace? No worries. Here are some ideas for compact glass-enclosed mini gardens to green up your home
Ketaki Godbole Randiwe
8 March 2018
No matter where you live, creating your own pocket of green doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you identify the needs of each plant you choose to live with, there is a real sense of achievement to be found in creating an environment of growth within your own living space. Terrariums are hassle-free ways of getting that sense of accomplishment.
Introduction:
Terrariums are rapidly gaining popularity in urban centres as home decor items that lend a touch of whimsy and infuse a bit of nature in the household with relatively few hassles. These mini gardens create an instant focus of interest and liven up our homes in a way that is quite different from regular house plants.
Terrariums are rapidly gaining popularity in urban centres as home decor items that lend a touch of whimsy and infuse a bit of nature in the household with relatively few hassles. These mini gardens create an instant focus of interest and liven up our homes in a way that is quite different from regular house plants.
Historical background
The first terrarium was developed by botanist Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward in 1842. He used the terrarium, known then as a ‘Wardian Case’, to attempt exporting native British plants to Australia. He found that even after months of travel by ship, the plants arrived healthy and thriving in the glass case. This was the beginning of the terrarium phenomenon.
The first terrarium was developed by botanist Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward in 1842. He used the terrarium, known then as a ‘Wardian Case’, to attempt exporting native British plants to Australia. He found that even after months of travel by ship, the plants arrived healthy and thriving in the glass case. This was the beginning of the terrarium phenomenon.
What is a terrarium?
A terrarium is a collection of small decorative plants growing in an enclosed environment. Terrarium containers are typically transparent and provide an opening big enough to allow the gardener to access the plants inside. The best part about a terrarium is that you get to create something that is one-of-a-kind. In addition to being enjoyable and decorative, terrariums are also easy to care for and simply beautiful.
A terrarium is a collection of small decorative plants growing in an enclosed environment. Terrarium containers are typically transparent and provide an opening big enough to allow the gardener to access the plants inside. The best part about a terrarium is that you get to create something that is one-of-a-kind. In addition to being enjoyable and decorative, terrariums are also easy to care for and simply beautiful.
Watering needs
Terrariums need less watering than potted houseplants, but if the surface of the soil mix looks dry, use your fingertip to check the moisture and then water it if needed.
The trick to getting a terrarium to thrive is to keep the environment moist without adding so much water that it collects and stagnates. Unlike most plant containers, terrariums have no drainage hole for excess water.
Terrariums need less watering than potted houseplants, but if the surface of the soil mix looks dry, use your fingertip to check the moisture and then water it if needed.
The trick to getting a terrarium to thrive is to keep the environment moist without adding so much water that it collects and stagnates. Unlike most plant containers, terrariums have no drainage hole for excess water.
Care tip: Check the moisture level of the soil by sticking your finger in the sand. For succulents in a glass terrarium, wait a month between waterings.
Types of Terrariums
1. Succulent terrariums
Succulents are perfect for people who are busy, live in small spaces or often forget to water. Sprinkle decorative stones and any ornamental pieces you like on the surface . You can basically decorate with any natural, organic pieces you want to use – glass, stone, wood and so on.
1. Succulent terrariums
Succulents are perfect for people who are busy, live in small spaces or often forget to water. Sprinkle decorative stones and any ornamental pieces you like on the surface . You can basically decorate with any natural, organic pieces you want to use – glass, stone, wood and so on.
Plants ideal for succulent terrariums:
Hens and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum), baby toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla), ice plant (Aizoaceae), zebra cactus (Haworthia attenuata and H. fasciata), jade plant (Crassula ovata), burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum)
DIY Project: Alternative Ways to Show Off Your Succulents
Hens and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum), baby toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla), ice plant (Aizoaceae), zebra cactus (Haworthia attenuata and H. fasciata), jade plant (Crassula ovata), burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum)
DIY Project: Alternative Ways to Show Off Your Succulents
2. Cactus terrariums
Can’t keep a plant alive to save your life? Try a cactus terrarium planter, with a hardy cactus variety. Cactii are some of the easiest to maintain since they are almost maintenance-free when it comes to watering needs, and require little care.
Can’t keep a plant alive to save your life? Try a cactus terrarium planter, with a hardy cactus variety. Cactii are some of the easiest to maintain since they are almost maintenance-free when it comes to watering needs, and require little care.
Plants ideal for cactus terrariums:
Zigzag cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger), hedgehog or sea urchin cactus (Echinopsis) and almost all varieties of cactii are good to go.
Zigzag cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger), hedgehog or sea urchin cactus (Echinopsis) and almost all varieties of cactii are good to go.
3. Air plant terrariums
Air plants get their moisture and nourishment from the air, so they require no soil or even special non-soil media. The resulting flexibility increases your design options and provides plenty of opportunity to let your creativity shine. They do like a humid environment, so they’re ideal for bathrooms – or humid climates.
Air plants get their moisture and nourishment from the air, so they require no soil or even special non-soil media. The resulting flexibility increases your design options and provides plenty of opportunity to let your creativity shine. They do like a humid environment, so they’re ideal for bathrooms – or humid climates.
Plants ideal for air plant terrariums:
Silver queen (Tillandsia xerographica), Medusa’s head (Tillandsia caput-medusae), bulbosa air plant (Tillandsia bulbosa)
Find out more about air plants
Silver queen (Tillandsia xerographica), Medusa’s head (Tillandsia caput-medusae), bulbosa air plant (Tillandsia bulbosa)
Find out more about air plants
Mix them up or show them off
When it comes to selecting plants, you can choose to either plant a single amazing one and show it off, or combine two or three to create an interesting arrangement.
Tip: If you are making a terrarium for the first time, keep it simple. Three plants is plenty, and opt for moisture-loving tropical varieties and a good-quality potting mix.
When it comes to selecting plants, you can choose to either plant a single amazing one and show it off, or combine two or three to create an interesting arrangement.
Tip: If you are making a terrarium for the first time, keep it simple. Three plants is plenty, and opt for moisture-loving tropical varieties and a good-quality potting mix.
Hang them up
Not just for the tabletop, terrariums have undergone a resurgence and can even be in suspended form. Clustering a few at different heights can really add a beautiful dimension to a room.
Not just for the tabletop, terrariums have undergone a resurgence and can even be in suspended form. Clustering a few at different heights can really add a beautiful dimension to a room.
What container do I choose?
When it comes to choosing a vessel, you can choose anything you find attractive, from a glass jar to a globe or a cloche to a small or large aquarium. Using interesting containers with animal motifs is another way to liven up your terrarium’s look.
When it comes to choosing a vessel, you can choose anything you find attractive, from a glass jar to a globe or a cloche to a small or large aquarium. Using interesting containers with animal motifs is another way to liven up your terrarium’s look.
Read more:
Build Your Own Mini-Ecosystem in a Compact Terrarium
The Force Awakens in a Series of Terrariums
Tell us:
Have you made terrariums before? Share your experience with us in Comments below.
Build Your Own Mini-Ecosystem in a Compact Terrarium
The Force Awakens in a Series of Terrariums
Tell us:
Have you made terrariums before? Share your experience with us in Comments below.
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