Terrariums

By: Angie Bush

Introduction
A terrarium is a living plant growing
inside a sealed glass container. In this
presentation I will explain all about
planting, soil, tools, plants, containers,
care and the history of terrariums.
Terrariums are often a miniature
landscape under glass in the form of a
woodland, a desert, a tropical jungle or
your own collection of plants.
History of Terrariums
In 1827 the terrarium was
invented by Nathaniel
Ward, a London doctor.
He came over this
invention because his
outdoor plants would
not live in the polluted
air of London, he
discovered that he
could make miniature
greenhouses which was
then named fern cases.
Indoor Wardian Case
Horticulturists were
able to bring back
sensitive tropical
plants in Wardian
cases to be well-
protected from salt,
air, and changing
climatic conditions
during the long sea
voyage.
Accessories
• Rocks
• Gravel
• Wood
• Seed pots
• Bark
• Ceramic figures
• Frogs
• Mushrooms
• Snails
Tools
• Only a few tools are necessary for planting the
terrarium.
• Long sticks, either bamboo or ¼ inch dowling. The
length depends on the height of the container being
used.
• Large kitchen spoon for placing soil and drainage
material
• Atomizer or bulb-type sprayer will be useful for
watering the terrarium.
• A stick with a wire loop on the end will be helpful for
lowering plants into large containers with small tops.
Containers
A terrarium container must be made from clear glass or plastic.
Tinted or cloudy glass greatly reduces light and interferes with
plant growth.
Any type of clear container may be used:
• empty fish bowls
• fish tanks
• brandy snifters
• old glass jars
• jugs
• bottles
• containers specially designed for terrariums.
Containers Cont.
• All closed containers should have
transparent covers.
• Containers with small openings are
okay. Containers with large openings
without covers can be used but will
require more frequent watering.
• Open terrariums are drier and less
subject to disease.
Soil
• Soil for terrariums must be clean, well drained
and high in organic matter.
• Potting soils sold at garden centers and
nurseries where plant supplies are sold are
sterilized and ready for use.
• To prepare your own soil, mix one part peat
moss with one part rich garden soil.
• Make sure the soil is moist before
sterilization. Place it in an oven at about 200
degrees until the soil is thoroughly heated.
Plants
• Many plants are suitable for growing in
terrariums.
• They are kept small in terrariums by cutting
back the tips.
• Don’t mix plants requiring widely different
conditions.
• Cacti are less desirable for terrariums since
moist conditions promote rot.
• Don’t mix desert plants with moisture-loving
tropicals.
Plants That Can Be Used
• African violet (Saintpaulia spp.)
• Airplant (Kalanchoe pinnata)
• Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierii)
• Baby tears (Helxine soleirolii)
• Begonia (Begonia spp.)
• Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema spp.)
• Jade plant (Crassula argentea)
• Swedish ivy (Plectranthes australis)
• And many more
Planting
1. Place a ½ inch layer of small gravel in bottom.
2. Sprinkle some activated charcoal on top.
3. Fill to proper height with a good draining
potting soil. If soil “clumps” when squeezed,
add some perlite, or vermiculite to lighten it
up.
4. Install plants. The number will depend on the
size of the plants, and the container. Don’t
over plant. Leave room to grow. Push the soil
aside, place a plant in the depression, and firm
the soil around it.
5. Water lightly. (3 or 4 ounces)
Making Your Own
Different Terrariums
Snowflake terrarium

Globe terrarium
The teardrop

Bite terrarium
Terrarium Tables
Millennium Terrarium Pictures
Height
Since low plants are preferred, more
emphasis is placed on small plants.
Some of these are creeping or climbing
vines that may grow tall, but with
limited height in the terrarium they
form a groundcover. Most plants over
12 inches need to be cut back.
Light
Most plants in the medium light
category require good light near a
window or less light from a window with
artificial light. The terrarium should be
placed within several feet of a bright
window, but not in direct sun.
Temperature

• Most tropical plants are suited for

common house temperatures. At night
65 degrees is ideal, day temperatures
normally should be about 75 degrees.
• Woodland terrariums should have
nighttime temperatures about 50 to 55
degrees. Day temperatures also should
be cool but are not as critical.
Care after planting
• A closed terrarium will not need to be watered for
four to six months.
• Do not replace the cover until the leaves have dried.
• Open terrariums need occasional watering not as
often as houseplants.
• Watering should always be light.
• Its better to be a little too dry than too wet.
• Many plants out grow the terrarium.
• With a little trimming these plants can be brought
into bounds.
Care after planting cont.
• Frequently pinching out tips before a plant
becomes too tall will result in more balanced
growth than infrequent, more severe cutbacks.
• Do not plan to fertilize for at least a year after
planting.
• If the plants are yellowish without any reason,
fertilize very lightly with a water-soluble
houseplant fertilizer at about one-tenth the rate
recommended for normal houseplants.
Replacing plants
• Occasionally it may be necessary to replace
plants
• Some foliage plants that do well in a small-
mouthed terrariums include creeping fig
(Ficus pumila) Ti plant (Cordyline terminalis)
Ribbon plant (Dracaena sanderiana) Earth
star (Cryptanthus acaulis) Prayer plants
(Maranta species). Do not use ferns they will
take over a terrarium.
Dish gardens

Dish gardens are

arrangements of flowers
in a normal planting
dish although there are
many different
decorative dishes. Open
terrariums provide
higher humidity for
plants than dish gardens
do.
Conclusion
In this presentation I explained how to
plant a terrarium and take care of it
hopefully you will use this information
have more knowledge about plants and
their habitats.