How to make a closed terrarium

Follow this method for any of the four terrariums we have created, but your start point in choosing plants will depend on whether you are making an open or closed terrarium.

An open terrarium has a similar environment to the rest of the room and will support the growth of most house plant types. Popular choices include succulents or kalanchoe.

A closed terrarium will create it’s own microclimate suitable for plants such as ferns and mosses.

You’ll need

Closed terrarium: Jam jars with lids, Kilner jars. Open terrarium: any open glass jar or bowl

Gravel (garden gravel or pumice and pebble dash) Activated charcoal (optional) can be acquired from aquarium supply stores and may reduce problems from bacteria

House plant compost Plants: see individual lists Pebbles/decorative items Moss

Scissors

Cork stopper (optional) for tamping down compost around the base of the plants. Can be made by wedging a kebab stick into a wine cork Small paint brush for cleaning compost from the plants after planting

Wide funnel (optional) Water: I just use a little misting bottle

3 Add a layer of potting compost. The layer should be deep enough to cover the rootballs of your plants. Fluff out the compost as you add it in. I use a long-handled spoon for this. Dampen compost.

4 Place your plants, use the cork to tamp down compost. Don’t plant too proud of the compost layer. If roots are exposed they will dry out. Add any decorative items, and moss if using, and close the lid.

2 Add a teaspoon of activated charcoal (optional). Scatter it over your gravel layer. For your terrarium layers to function properly they should be kept separate, so try not to mix up the different components, just gently layer them over each other.

1 Pour a 2cm layer of gravel to the bottom of your glass container. Any excess water will seep down through the gravel to collect at the base of the jar and then evaporate to moisten your compost once your terrarium is dry again.