The Simple Things

TERRARIUM MASTERCLAS­S

- Emma runs terrarium workshops; londonterr­ariums.com

Emma Sibley, right, of London Terrariums advises on growing plants under glass indoors

Terrariums were invented by a Victorian entomologi­st Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward. He discovered miniature ferns growing in a sealed jam jar intended for a moth chrysalis and realised that it provided the ideal environmen­t for tropical plants. They protected the plants from dust and pollution, maintained a high humidity, and regulated the temperatur­e, so plants could photosynth­esise, be self-sufficient and water themselves.

Any clear vessel is suitable

for a terrarium. It shouldn’t be air tight, though, eg, remove rubbers seals from Kilner jars. Open terrariums need to be watered and misted to stop plants drying out.

The secret to keeping plants alive

in a terrarium is not to water. Terrariums are self-sustaining: plants produce heat and oxygen which condenses on the glass which is enough to keep them alive. They will need sunlight to photosynth­esise but not direct light. You may need to take the cork out occasional­ly to dry the plants a bit and decrease humidity but this will be rare.

The best plants to put in a terrarium

are those from tropical, humid and damp climates. Ferns, miniature palms, Ficus pumila and Fittonia, which is native to the jungles of Peru, all work well.

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