Planting an Open Terrarium by Sonia Valdiviezo

All photos by Sonia Valdiviezo

Materials needed

• glass container of your choice (between 6” to 12” round)
• variety of 1” fairy or bonsai plants (avoid using succulents
• for this project)
• ½ -1.5 lbs of landscaping sand (do not use aquarium or beach
• sand for this project)
• 1 lb to 2 lbs of decorative rocks for
• planters
• 4-8 oz of horticulture charcoal
• 1-2 oz of dry sphagnum moss for
• orchids (dry moss)
• ½ quart soil for indoor containers or Bonsai soil
• 5” x 5” sheet moss (preserved or live)
• pair of gloves
• spray bottle
• plastic spoon (to be used for scooping)
• pencil or skewer (to be used for digging)
• Begin by creating the layers of your terrarium landscape:

Layer 1 SAND 

Pour about a 1 inch layer of sand at the bottom of the container

Layer 2 ROCKS

Carefully set rocks evenly over the sand, being careful not to disturb the sand

Layer 3 CHARCOAL

Spread a thin layer (no more than ½ inch) of charcoal over the rocks

Layer 4 SPHAGUM MOSS 

Be sure to moisten the moss before using, not too wet just damp and carefully place over the charcoal until it is about 1 inch deep and you cannot see any of the charcoal from the top view of your container.

Layer 5 SOIL 

Using the scoop (plastic spoon) gently and carefully spread potting soil evenly over the sphagnum, until it is about 2 to 2.5 inches deep.

Plant Arrangement

Now it’s time to explore the arrangement of your selected plants before you start planting them into the soil. Play around with the arrangement of the plants to test how you want your terrarium to look. This step is very important, so take your time.

Start with the plants that will be placed on the edges, making sure to leave space between the plant and edge of glass container. (Do not place plants too close to the edge of the container or to each other. Leave space for the plants to grow and spread.) Once you’ve decided on the arrangement of your plants it’s time to plant them!

First, using your finger or a pencil, gently dig a hole about 1.5 – 2 inches deep and wide into the soil. Next, gently separate the plant from its original pot, making sure to not damage the roots. Lightly mist the roots of the plant and place in the hole. Press gently adding a tiny amount of soil if necessary to bury the roots completely beneath the level of the soil. Repeat this step for each plant.

Now, add bits of Sheet Moss (preserved green moss) or Live Moss strategically to add texture and dimension to the terrarium. Finally, using a spray bottle spritz or mist your terrarium evenly without overwatering.

Congratulations! You’ve planted a terrarium.

Fall Gardening Project for Kids: Making a Terrarium by Carol Martin

 

A spray bottle works best for watering: All photos by Carol Martin

What’s a terrarium? According to the experts at NASA Climate Kids,

"A terrarium is like an aquarium, but for plants instead of fish. It is made in just about any glass container. It is planted to look like a miniature garden or forest enclosed in its own little world."

A terrarium is a way of growing plants in an enclosed or partially enclosed container usually made of glass or plastic. Terrariums have gone in and out of popularity since the 1800s. In the Orangery at the Denver Botanic Gardens, they have several elaborate terrariums that would have been right at home in a Victorian drawing room.

Terrarium in the Orangery at the Denver Botanic Garden, York Street

You can make your own terrarium and it can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like. They are easy to establish and make a wonderful gardening project with kids as outdoor gardening winds down in the fall.

Supplies

• Plastic or vinyl table cloth or small tarp
• Glass containers – any size or shape

Michaels, Dollar Tree, ARC and other thrift stores are great sources for inexpensive glass containers. Clean the glass containers using soapy water and rinse well. Dry completely.

Glass containers

 

• Gravel (plus a small scoop)

Gravel comes in many colors and sizes. Home Depot, Lowes and other garden centers carry some decorative gravel in their house plant sections. Aquarium gravel is available at pet stores and has the advantage of coming in a wide variety of colors and sizes.

• Soil (plus a small scoop)

Soil designed for cacti works well in terrariums even if you are using other kinds of plants. This type of soil drains quickly and that is key to preventing the plants from rotting or developing fungus.

• Plants

Succulents are often favorite plants for terrariums, but many small plants will work. Ferns and ground covers are good choices too. Closed terrariums require plants that thrive in high humidity but you have a little more leeway in an open terrarium.

Plants suitable for a terrarium

 

• Spray bottle filled with water
• Small plastic figures, rocks and sea shells

If you have kids, your house is probably filled with these things. If not, take a trip to the Dollar Tree and let the kids pick their favorite little figures. You can also look outside for pretty rocks or small pine cones.

Preparation

Cover your work space with a plastic or vinyl table cloth or a small tarp. Depending on the ages and personalities of the kids (we had a two year old, four year old and six year old), this project will most likely get a little (or a lot!) messy. If the weather is warm enough, make your terrariums outside.

Gather all of the supplies.

The work space could get a little messy

Building the Terrarium

Using a scoop, fill the glass container with an inch or two of gravel.

Depending on your child’s dexterity they may need help with this next part. Gently remove the plant from its container and slightly break up the root ball. Set it in the center of the terrarium and, using a scoop, fill the area around it with soil.

Using a spray bottle, water the plant and surrounding soil to make sure the plant is nestled in place. Most kids love using spray bottles and they will be less likely to flood their terrarium using a spray bottle than a watering can.

Now comes the really fun part: choosing and arranging the plastic figures and other objects in their beautiful new habitat. Any figure or object small enough to find a home in a terrarium will work.

Everyone has a sense of pride when they finish their terrarium

Place the terrarium in a safe spot, out of direct sunlight. Try to find a place where the kids can see and reach their terrariums in order to observe them and keep them watered. You will probably need to help them not OVER water, especially at first.

Sources:

Make a Terrarium Mini-Garden | NASA Climate Kids

Building a Terrarium - KidsGardening

Disclaimer:  Jefferson County Master Gardener does not endorse any commercial products or businesses.  Mention of products or businesses in articles, photographs, or videos does not mean endorsement.