Dig a small hole in the substrate and use a tool to carefully place the plant in the hole and cover up the roots.

A terrarium is an enclosed glass or plastic container that is used to grow plants," says Lisa Steinkopf, who runs the blog The Houseplant Guru. If they are not separated, soil can enter the base of the jar and sit in water, making it putrid and rotten – this would affect the whole ecosystem.If you want an inexpensive, simple, and classic terrarium starter kit with quality materials, this adorable moss project is the one for you. And it’ll only look more lush and wild as it grows over time. Jade plants do well in closed terrariums, if you are asking about jade stones, these can also be placed in your terrarium to add colour. The Closed Terrarium Plants – Choose appropriate plants from the various categories of tropical species and create your vibrant miniature landscape! Fear not; all of these can be sourced easily online, from local stores, or even fashioned yourself (when it comes to tools). Once your closed glass terrarium is set up, it could last years without being opened; the one below was created in the 60s by David Latimer and was last opened in 1972!

This gorgeous moss terrarium kit by EK Terrariumsis about as cute as it gets – measuring up to only 3.4 inches tall. This kit makes a great gift. (Image Credit: EKTerrariums). Does that mean a closed terrarium needs to be airtight? Not really. It’ll still function as long as it can trap moisture and humidity. Besides, it’s often good to air out a closed terrarium now and again to get in some fresh carbon dioxide and get out some mold spores.

Recommended add-on: a set of terrarium tools (tweezers, scissors, fork and shovel). Buy as a set and save 10%. Okay, the first step to a harmonious closed terrarium ecosystem is choosing your plants that’ll thrive in the moist environment and humid air. So we’ve got that covered. Now we’re onto the more nuanced things to consider. A closed terrarium is a complete mini-ecosystem in a bottle or jar (usually a glass storage jar). Closed terrariums can be entirely self-sufficient if set up correctly; some have not been opened for decades and are still thriving today.

Activated charcoal is created by heating organic matter, like wood, and can be bought online or in stores. Activated charcoal absorbs toxins, which is why it is often used in ERs to treat overdoses. Within a closed terrarium environment, activated charcoal helps prevent mould and stops your plant roots from rotting. Please choose the option including plants and we will supply three suitable forest plants to suit your terrarium. Varieties include, Asparagus Fern, Peperomia and Fittonia plants. Open terrariums are a great craft kit to get started if you're a beginner, as they offer a better airflow for plants so you don't have to worry about issues that arise from condensation – such as mould. Open terrariums are best suited to plants that require dry and arid conditions and direct sunlight – such as cacti, air plants and succulents. So if you fancy growing yourself a mini desert that will last for years to come, you totally can. Below is my completed terrarium. I added a small buddha which totally changes it from ‘plants in a jar’, to a scene.

Top 5 Terrarium Kits

For truly maintenance-free growth, choose small plants that stay small. Lots of those tiny plants at the store are actually just baby plants that’ll get much bigger!

For the mesh barrier, a carbon fibre window screen is a good option (see list above for link). You have to buy a roll and cut it to the size of your closed glass container. Not only does it include all the necessities (drainage stones, charcoal, soil pellets, moss, seeds, tools), but it also has all kinds of extra stuff that kids love.

If you see no fogging of the glass at all and/or the substrate is looking bone dry – it’s time to add some water. Just a little at a time, as it’s easy to add and difficult to remove. Here’s Rae watering our Bonsai Terrarium. Alternatively, EK Terrariums also has plenty of ready-made mossariums if you fancy skipping the DIY element altogether. 4 | Best Terrarium Kit for Older Kids Because terrariums are usually small, there's no concern about needing a lot of space like a traditional garden. "They help those who may not have outside spaces of their own to enjoy and learn from their own mini-garden without stepping foot outdoors," says Elizabeth Waddington, a garden designer and sustainability consultant for Horticulture Magazine. And, of course, it includes a fun figurine (a dino or a jungle, safari or garden animal) – you can’t go wrong! 5 | Best Terrarium Kit for Young Kids Finally, for healthy plant growth (but not too much growth), I prefer to add organic matter to my substrate in the form of earthworm castings. Failing that, a diluted organic water-soluble fertilizer can be sprayed periodically.