How To Make A Terrarium In A Jar | Step-By-Step Guide

How To Make A Terrarium In A Jar | Step-By-Step Guide

How to make a terrarium or micro garden in a jar

No matter what time of year it is, it's always a great time to make a terrarium. You might be surprised to hear that terrariums are actually incredibly easy to make and require very little maintenance. 

One of the easiest and greatest ways to make a terrarium/micro garden is by using a glass jar.

Jar terrariums make wonderful conversation pieces, gifts or rainy-day activities - as well as being relaxing, easy and fun to make.

You'll love watching as they change over time and the best part is that they're simple to make and maintain, just follow this guide and you'll have your very own encapsulated ecosystem that you created!

What You'll Need:

  1. Glass jar with an air-tight seal - any Wondrwood jars will work!
  2. Pebbles - for the bottom drainage layer.
  3. Fine mesh (optional) - to allow water, but not soil, to pass though.
  4. Soil - use potting compost or fertile soil from your garden.
  5. Moss (optional) - to cover the soil in-between the plants.
  6. Plants - the smaller the better, more on plants below.
  7. Activated carbon/horticultural charcoal (optional) - to prevent odours & bacteria.
  8. Hardscape (optional) - any rocks, wood & ornaments you want to add.

 

Before you start, there are essentially two kinds of terrariums you can make:

 Different kinds of jar terrariums - native terrariums

 

What are curated terrariums?

Do you need to add activated carbon (horticultural charcoal)?
Charcoal is used in terrariums to help prevent any toxins and odour-causing bacteria or fungus. You can make a terrarium without it, using moss instead of charcoal. But, it's usually recommended to use charcoal as it does the job a little more effectively.

 

Pro Tip:

You can also make your own charcoal by burning some wood and collecting the charcoal that's left over. Alternatively, you can also use store-bought barbecue charcoal, just make sure that it doesn't have any additives such as oils or other chemicals.

Assembling Your Terrarium Step-By-Step:

 

How to make a small terrarium: adding the pebbles

Step 1: Add the pebbles first

Cover the bottom with about 1cm of small pebbles, this will allow the water to drain and prevent rot. You can use colourful pebbles if you prefer.

Adding charcoal to a terrarium - is it necessary?

Step 2: Add charcoal or moss

This goes on top of the gravel and prevents odours and toxins from building up. The bottom of the terrarium should be about 3/4 pebbles to 1/4 charcoal or moss. Be sure to wet the charcoal so it doesn't stick to the glass.

how to make a jar terrarium - adding the mesh layer

Step 3: Add the mesh layer (optional)

Place a layer of mesh (or any non biodegradable material) on top of the charcoal or moss. This will allow water to drain but prevent the soil from falling into the drainage layer.

Choosing and adding soil to a terrarium

Step 4: Add the damp soil

Use a 3:1 ratio of soil to pebbles (eg. if you used 1cm of pebbles, add about 3 cm of soil). Make sure the soil is moist but not soaking. Fertile nutrient-rich soil will work best.

Choosing and adding the right plants to a small terrarium

Step 5: Add your hardscape & plants

More on choosing plants below, but in general, choose small plants that will tolerate humid environments. Start off with placing any rocks, wood or ornaments, then add the plants afterwards, starting with the larger ones.

Adding moss to a terrarium in a jar

Step 6: Add some moss to fill the gaps

This is also optional, but if you can cover up any remaining surface soil with moss it will make it look a lot less 'constructed' and appear more natural. Finally, don't forget to add some water!

Choosing The Right Plants:

Choosing the best plants for micro-terrariums

Humid-Tolerant Plants

Any plant classified as 'tropical' or tolerant of humid/damp environments are ideal.

Which plants are best for terrariums?

Not Too Much Light

You'll need to keep your terrarium in indirect light, so avoid plants that require full direct sunlight.

choosing the right sized plants for a jar terrarium

Small & Slow Growers

Your jar terrarium has limited space, so be sure to get plants that are small and won't outgrow your jar.

Can you make a terrarium with cacti or succulents?
Cacti and succulents are not big fans of humid or damp environments, they also like a lot of direct sunlight. If you are going to make a terrarium with these kinds of plants, it's best to make an open-topped terrarium as the moisture build-up in a closed terrarium will eventually cause the cactus or succulent to die.

 

Pro Tip:

Be sure to also add more soil and pebbles in your jar if you choose to keep cacti or succulents in them. This will ensure that the plant is higher up in the jar and will be able to get enough air circulation, particularly if it's in direct sunlight.

Making a jar terrarium - should you choose open or closed? 

Open Vs Closed Terrariums:

 The pros and cons of open-topped terrariums

Pros and cons of closed-topped or sealed terrariums

Caring For Your Terrarium:

Caring for terrariums: how much water should you add?

1. Keep the soil damp

If it's a closed terrarium, any water you add at the start will remain inside the jar and continue to evaporate, condense and 'rain' down again - just as it does in nature. Keep an eye on the soil and if it appears to be drying out, add a little more water.

Should you let air ventilate in a terrarium?

2. Allow air to circulate

Occasionally you can open the lid to allow some fresh air inside the jar. Especially if too much condensation builds up on the glass. Some condensation is perfectly fine, but you don't want it to be water logged.

Trimming dead leaves from terrarium plants

3. Trim dead leaves

If you see some parts of the plant beginning to turn yellowish-brown and die off, trim those parts with a scissors.

Should you fertilise terrariums? Why/why not?

4. Don't fertilise it

It's important to use good soil in your terrarium, but it won't need any additional fertilisers. provided there is a good layer of soil in there, it will flourish for many years to come.

How much light should you a terrarium get?

5. Keep out of harsh light

Don't put your jar terrarium in direct sunlight as this will cause it to become a hot condensation-filled fungal farm! Keep your jar in a position where it will get indirect light.

How to know how much water is enough for terrariums

6. Don't over-water it

If you see lots of condensation and signs of water logging around the pebbles at the bottom, it's got too much water. Always start off with less water than you think and add more if things look too dry.

Ready, Set...Nature!

Are you ready to make your own terrarium in Wondrwood jars? If you don't already have some, you'll need to get yourself some jars! 

All of our glass jars are fitted with air-tight seals and are ideal for all kinds of uses, including terrariums. The rest is up to you, all that's left is to pick your favourite jars and start creating!

how to make a terrarium in a jar - a step by step guide



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Comments (10)

  • Very informative! Thanks so much!

    Mandy Miller
  • Can I use cardboard in place of moss

    Carol
  • Thank you so much! I am making my first terrarium and this was extremely helpful! Information was organized in a user friendly manner and to the point!

    rachel jordan
  • The info in your article was very helpful, thankyou

    Ray
  • Do we keep roots on plants

    Doug
  • Do we keep roots on plants

    Doug
  • This was very helpful! Thank you so much!

    Nandini
  • Thank you for the tips it looks so cute!💕

    Paula Mendieta
  • Thank you, I have been wanting to build a terrarium in a gar for soooo long!
    With love: Paula

    Paula
  • Thank you, I have been wanting to build a terrarium in a gar for soooo long!
    With love: Paula

    Paula

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