Caring For Your Glass Terrarium:
While most of us think about gardening as an activity that happens entirely outdoors, the truth couldn’t be farther from this assumption. Gardening does not in fact only belong outdoors. But how are gardeners expanding both their garden and the gardening season throughout the entirety of the year? The answer is exactly where we have been on the cutting edge for nearly three decades. terrarium gardens are the best way to take advantage of indoor gardening, creating a mini-greenhouse in your home that displays all of your favorite plants and foliage. Check out these care and design tips to nurture both your plants and your creativity with these glass enclosures.
Terrarium Decor
The beauty of a glass terrarium lies in its versatility. Make sure that your terrarium is authentically you. Fill your terrarium with small items or decorative trinkets that perfectly encapsulate your energy as a gardener. These decor items can include different types of plants, natural elements, or non-natural items. Make your terrarium into a secluded park bench among the greenery, or a cabin lost in the woods, or even a tropical themed beach, the options are endless!
Fill your terrarium with small items or decorative trinkets
As you start to get you terrarium set up for planting, make sure you take a look at these essential tips to make sure that your plants thrive in this unique atmosphere:
Gravel for Drainage:
Place a base layer of gravel in the bottom of the terrarium's planter tray. Choose from pea gravel or small stones to make sure that water can easily seep through the rocks. This layer of gravel will prevent water from pooling at the bottom of your terrariums and causing mold. Avoid finer types of graver, as these are more likely to trap the moisture.
Add Charcoal:
Once the layer of gravel has been laid down, sprinkle a layer of activated charcoal over the gravel. While this might seem like the most bizarre part of the process, the charcoal is critical for the health of the terrarium. As the water flows downwards through the soil above, the activated charcoal below will clean the water for its next trip through the water cycle.
Time For The Soil:
Now that you have created a mini water filtration system at the base of the terrarium, add a quality soil to the top. Most gardeners will typically use a premium potting mix that contains the proper nutrients to encourage growth in the terrarium.
Planting
Now that your terrarium has been set up for success, it’s time to add the plants you will be using in the mini-garden. While larger standing wardian cases are capable of supporting larger plants, it is advisable to start with a smaller plant in your terrarium. Some of the most popular plants for terrariums include succulents (all kinds), ferns, and orchids. Check out some of our other blog posts to get a better idea of what plants you might want to have in your indoor glass gardening space.
Maintaining Your Terrarium
Finally make sure to keep up on maintenance in your terrarium. While you won’t have to water the plants very often, make sure the terrarium is receiving water a couple times a month. Likewise, your terrarium should be allowed to breathe, which is a simple process involving removing or opening the top of the terrarium and wiping the extra moisture off the walls of the terrarium. Next watch out for dead or rotted leaves as these can affect the overall health of the terrarium. If mold appears, clean it up and allow the terrarium to breathe for a day or two.
Allow your terrarium to breathe
As passionate terrarium people, we hope that you will enjoy planting in your very own terrarium. If you don’t have a terrarium yet, but want to start, check out our website for some beautiful and long-lasting options that will make your home garden pop.