SUCCULENT TERRARIUM

Terrariums come in all shapes and sizes and make a stunning design element in your home or office. Really, any open glass container can be used as a succulent terrarium. Whether you choose a bowl, geometric shape, or glass bubble, your succulent terrarium will make a huge impact. You can find interesting terrariums at World Market, Urban Outfitters, or stores online. In this project, I added a cactus, another type of succulent.

WHAT YOU NEED

• Glass Container
• Rocks or Pebbles
• Activated Charcoal
• Sphagnum Moss
• Soil
• Succulents
• Sand (Optional)
• Decorative Accessories
• Spoon, Tweezers, Straw (Optional)

WHAT TO DO

1. Start by lining the bottom of the terrarium with rocks or pebbles and a thin layer of activated charcoal. Since succulents prefer containers with good drainage, the pebbles will create a space for water to drain out of the soil. This will keep the plants’ roots from sitting in excess water and will prevent rot. The activated charcoal acts as a filter for the soil and water. It can freshen the air in the terrarium, which is especially useful if your container has a small opening, and it can also draw bacteria from your soil and water.

   

2. Add a layer of sphagnum moss between your pebbles and soil to prevent the soil from running down into the rocks over time. Sphagnum moss will also assist in creating an alternative drainage system, providing a place for water to escape from the soil.

   

3. Mix a few tablespoons of activated charcoal with your well-draining soil and add the soil mixture to the terrarium.

   

4. Decide which plants you would like to use for your terrarium. If you are using cuttings, make sure to take them a few days prior to making your terrarium. To avoid rot, you will want to give the ends time to dry out and callus over before planting them in soil.
5. Begin adding plants and decorations to your terrarium. You may want to use sand on top of the soil for aesthetic value. Depending on the size of the opening of your terrarium, you may find it easier to add the sand before the plants. If you plant your succulents first, use a spoon to pour the sand around the plants.
6. Next, add any decorative moss, pebbles, and twigs you want. If the opening on your terrarium is quite small, you can use tweezers to add moss to the areas where your fingers can’t reach. Use a straw to gently blow sand and soil off of the plants and glass.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Place your terrarium in indirect sunlight. Glass magnifies light and heat, so be careful not to place your terrarium where it will receive a lot of direct sunlight. Stick a finger down into the soil to be sure the soil is completely dry before each watering.

TIP!

A terrarium is usually a sealable glass container used to create a small-scale ecosystem for plants. When creating a succulent terrarium, though, you will want to find a container that is open to the atmosphere. Succulents should be planted in open containers since they prefer low humidity and dry soil, as opposed to the moist environment a closed terrarium provides.