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Have you ever seen those really cheap used aquariums in yard sales? Ever wondered what they'd be good for? Any plant loving human has dreamed of a terrarium at one time or other. That perfect blend of humidity and warmth, a mini tropical paradise. This article will explain how to create that paradise.
So, you've got yourself a used aquarium. The first thing you need to do is give it a good bath. Any of your favourite cleaners will work for this. If there is any residual mineral buildup, I find a scrubby pad works wonders. Rinse very well with hot water. If harsh cleansers were needed, let it air dry for a couple of days.
Next thing is the materials. Put roughly an inch and a half of gravel, I used aquarium gravel, seemed fitting, and comes in many different colours. This is your drainage. Now you need to find some horticultural charcoal. Again, the fishies come in handy. I bought some charcoal filter replacements and broke them open. Sprinkle over the gravel layer. Half an inch will do. This keeps the soil from developing a sour smell. Sphagnum moss is next, a small layer of finely cut sphagnum helps keep the soil from sifting down into the lower layers. Finally, bet you thought we'd never get here, is the soil. At least an inch and a half, I used two, more in places where I put plants with deeper root systems. You can create hills and valleys if you wish, make it a miniature landscape in there. Use soil a tad on the dry side. Whatever your favourite blend is will work fine. Now you are ready to create paradise!!
You finally get to gather plants to fill the newly created terrarium. This is the fun part. Let's go shopping. There are many plants that will grow and thrive in terrarium conditions. In mine I have many different ferns, Prayer Plant (Maranta), Episcia, Strawberry Begonia (Saxifraga stolonifera).
Others that will do well are Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila), Baby Tears (Helxine soleirolii), Begonia rex, Miniature African Violets, Sinningia, many Peperomia, Fittonia, Ivies, the list is endless!!
Plant your newly acquired goodies directly in the soil. Don't be afraid, they will be fine, some of mine are planted right down into the gravel layer and they still thrive. You can place amongst the plants cool looking branches, rocks, anything that strikes your fancy to add interest. After planting, give it a good misting to settle the soil. Cover. If you were lucky enough to get the cover that goes with the terrarium you can use that. This is also good if it has a light fixture attached. Pop in a grow light and you won't need to worry about a light source. Otherwise, plastic wrap works well. I have one that has no cover and it stays humid, the sides hold in the humidity well.
A few general rules about terrariums. Never place in direct sunlight, the heat generated will cook your new babies. Bright light is best, I keep mine on a table in a north window, they do need to be turned occasionally to keep things from leaning towards the light source. Always remove any rotting leaves, this is a sign of too much humidity and you can open the lid a crack to help reduce it. Mine needs the lid cracked all the time, but then I keep my house fairly warm. Your newly created paradise will not need to be watered as often as your other houseplants. Three or more months is usual. Always water lightly, better a little dry than too wet. If you are uncomfortable with this, a little misting is ok and should make you feel better. Fertilizer should not be used for at least a year and then at half strength. Pinching and pruning may be needed occasionally to keep the happy plants from overtaking their neighbours
A word of caution though, they can be addictive. I have a 35 gallon and a 10 gallon tank finished, and two 5 gallon tanks waiting to be created.
Have fun with this project, a terrarium will give you many years of joy with relatively low maintenance.
Many thanks to plantladylin for the use of her photos.
About Lee Anne Stark
I am an avid gardener who shares my gardens with 2 other equally avid gardeners. I garden for fun and relaxation, never paying attention to the rules!! During the long, cold winter months I occupy my time playing with over a hundred house plants, my six cats and two dogs.
Posted by plantladylin (from East Central, FL) on January 21, 2008 at 2:23 PM:
Lee Anne: Great article! I just love growing stuff in jars and aquariums. I have a lot of plants growing in different glass containers. You gave really easy to follow directions for setting up and caring for a terrarium so I hope more folks will give this method of gardening a try!
edited to add: Hope folks will check out the Terrarium Forum here on DG and post their photo's if they decide to try terrarium gardening: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
This message was edited Jan 21, 2008 1:27 PM
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on January 21, 2008 at 2:25 PM:
Thanks Lin!!
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on January 21, 2008 at 2:34 PM:
Lee Anne, this article has revived an old interest of mine. When my children were small we had a new terrarium nearly every year, for every science project ever assigned. My kids knew if they chose to do a terrarium, then Mom would be right there to help. And so I did. Science projects stopped for them when they grew up, but there it was hidden in my mind all this time. I think I will revive it, just because your article reminded me, and because it brought back tons of old memories.
Thanks.
Sharon
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on January 21, 2008 at 2:35 PM:
:))))
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Posted by DonnieBrook (from N Hampshire/Florida
(United States)) on January 23, 2008 at 4:33 PM:
Lee Anne - what an interesting article....thanks! I haven't done a terrarium in many years, but this article has rekindled the interest - even though my dual residence doesn't make it possible for me personally to have one. However......I do have a son.......hmmmmmm. With your instructions, I just may be able to present him with a nice addition to his home for the winter months. Great job!! Louise
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on January 23, 2008 at 4:41 PM:
Thank you!!
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Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on January 24, 2008 at 8:45 PM:
Excellent! Great information, thanks :)
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Subject: Great article
Posted by jannich (from Red Level, AL) on January 20, 2008 at 10:09 PM:
Well done!
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on January 20, 2008 at 10:10 PM:
Thank you!!
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Subject: Nice
Posted by Susan51 (from Danville, VA) on January 20, 2008 at 1:04 PM:
Thank you for all the info. Your directions were great... One day I will do this.
Susan
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Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on January 20, 2008 at 4:56 PM:
Super article, and step by step directions are great - thank you!
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on January 20, 2008 at 10:11 PM:
I'm glad you all found it helpful. Always nice to help people along in a new, but good, addiction.
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Subject: Thank you
Posted by MitchF (from Oklahoma City, OK) on January 20, 2008 at 10:02 AM:
This is my next project and I just love the easy way you put it all together for me.
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on January 20, 2008 at 12:28 PM:
Thanks Mitch, glad I could help.
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Posted by MitchF (from Oklahoma City, OK) on January 20, 2008 at 1:48 PM:
Now... what about African Violets in these things... the thoughts drive me crazy.
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on January 20, 2008 at 2:00 PM:
Yesss!!!!
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Posted by MitchF (from Oklahoma City, OK) on January 20, 2008 at 3:24 PM:
This is going to be wayyyy too much fun!
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Subject: great information!
Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on January 20, 2008 at 4:11 AM:
Well done! Every few years, one or the other of my daughters decides this is what she wants to do as a project - now we won't have to keep Googling the information. Do you ever put in ponds and wildlife?
xx, Carrie
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Posted by debilu (from Fingerlakes Region, NY) on January 20, 2008 at 7:14 AM:
Great article - now I want one!
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Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on January 20, 2008 at 9:07 AM:
Good stuff, love the whole idea. I may have to get me one of these. :)
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Posted by pixie62560 (from South China, ME) on January 20, 2008 at 10:42 AM:
I have an empty aquarium upstairs in the spare room, I think I need to go shopping for some "materials". Thank you!!!!!!
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Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on January 20, 2008 at 11:01 AM:
Nice job, 3G! Maybe I'll try one with my kids.
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on January 20, 2008 at 12:21 PM:
Thank you all!!
It was such a fun project and I just had to share how easy it really is. I have never tried to incorporate ponds and wildlife though...maybe someday.
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Posted by Islandshari (from Kwajalein
(Marshall Islands)) on January 20, 2008 at 6:52 PM:
Great article Lee Anne! I envision a boom in the terrarium trade during the next few weeks of cold weather.
Yokwe,
Shari
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Posted by Hyblaean (from Niles, IL) on January 20, 2008 at 8:06 PM:
sold me :) I'm going to have to wait for next summer and hit all the garage sales
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Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on January 20, 2008 at 10:41 PM:
very nice article!
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Posted by Pyewacketcat54 (from Fort Worth, TX) on January 21, 2008 at 8:37 AM:
Great idea, I have use mine to to root my spider plants,and otherstarts I get off plants,I keep them in water till the roots are ready to plant,then pot them and keep them there till they are bigger and strong.Works like a charm,and I don't have to worry about my 4 cats chewing on them,you can really start anything in them I suppose,I need to get on my kitty greens,the cats are better when they have those to chew on.
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Posted by CapeCodGardener (from Mid-Cape, MA) on January 21, 2008 at 12:00 PM:
Lee Ann, I'm hooked. Especially on a cooooold day like today when a new "garden project" that can be done indoors really appeals. . . I'm off to our local pet store to check out supplies, etc. And I can really put in any little tiny statues that I want to?
Thank you!!
