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