Maya Ellison
Terrariums are a great way to create a self-sustaining ecosystem that can last for several years with minimal maintenance. They are usually made of glass or plastic and can be easily crafted from upcycled containers, such as soda bottles or mason jars. To make a terrarium in a plastic container, you'll need to follow several steps, including choosing the right container, creating a drainage system, adding soil and plants, and maintaining proper moisture levels. With some creativity and care, you can have your own miniature garden thriving in a plastic container terrarium.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Container | Clear plastic soda bottles, plastic containers, glass jars, fish bowls, tanks, or food containers |
| Container size | Container should be large enough to fit your hand inside for planting and maintenance |
| Drainage | No drainage holes, so a 2-inch layer of gravel or stones at the bottom is necessary to prevent plant roots from rotting |
| Charcoal | A layer of activated charcoal on top of the gravel to prevent fungi and control odors |
| Moss | Sheet moss over the gravel and charcoal to keep the potting soil separate |
| Soil | Sterile, moist potting mix (approximately one-third to one-half full) to avoid mold and fungi |
| Plants | Small plants with a mix of leaf sizes, textures, and colors, e.g., African violet, pothos, small ferns, lucky bamboo |
| Watering | Water sparingly, closed terrariums may only need watering every 4-6 months; condensation should form on the container and run back into the soil |
| Maintenance | Remove damaged leaves and dead plants, clean the container, and avoid fertilizing to prevent salt buildup |
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What You'll Learn
- Choose a plastic container: Select a clear plastic container with a wide opening, such as a soda bottle or food container
- Prepare the container: Clean and dry the container, then cut it to the desired height
- Create a drainage layer: Add gravel or stones to the bottom for drainage and charcoal to prevent odours and control moisture
- Add soil and plants: Use moist, sterile potting mix and choose plants that thrive in humid conditions, such as ferns or bamboo
- Care and maintenance: Place the terrarium in indirect light and monitor moisture levels, opening the container periodically to prevent excess moisture
Choose a plastic container: Select a clear plastic container with a wide opening, such as a soda bottle or food container
When making a terrarium in a plastic container, it's important to choose a clear plastic container with a wide opening. This could be a soda bottle, a food container, or any other type of clear plastic bottle. The wide opening will allow you to easily access the inside of the container for planting and maintenance. It's also important to consider the size of the container and make sure it has enough room for your plants to grow.
You can get creative and upcycle plastic containers that you already have at home. This is not only a great way to save money, but it's also environmentally friendly. If you don't have any suitable containers at home, you can try visiting your local thrift store to find unique and inexpensive options.
When choosing a plastic container for your terrarium, look for one with a wide mouth or opening. This will make it easier for you to add the necessary layers of gravel, charcoal, and soil, as well as your selected plants. A wide opening will also allow you to add decorative elements, such as shells, figurines, or ornaments, to personalise your terrarium.
Another important factor to consider when choosing a plastic container is its transparency. Opt for a clear plastic container that will allow light to pass through and illuminate your plants. This will also allow you to visually enjoy your terrarium and observe the growth of your plants. Clear plastic containers are readily available and can be easily found or purchased.
Overall, when selecting a plastic container for your terrarium, look for one that is clear, has a wide opening, and is of a suitable size for your plants' growth. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can transform everyday plastic items into beautiful miniature gardens.
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Prepare the container: Clean and dry the container, then cut it to the desired height
To make a terrarium in a plastic container, the first step is to prepare the container. Start by choosing a clear plastic container with a wide enough opening to allow you to add your selected plants and other materials. Popular options include plastic soda bottles, food containers, and fish bowls. Once you have selected your container, clean it thoroughly with soapy water and rinse well. It is important to ensure that the container is completely dry before proceeding to the next step.
After cleaning and drying the container, you may need to cut it to the desired height. If you are using a plastic bottle, cut off the top portion of the bottle, leaving a container that is approximately 8 inches tall. You can adjust the height by cutting away more or less plastic from the top. Place the top back on and check if it is the desired size. This step allows you to customize the height of your terrarium to fit your needs and preferences.
Once you are satisfied with the height and size of your container, you can move on to the next steps of creating your terrarium. Remember that the opening of the container should be wide enough for you to access the inside easily for planting and maintenance. You can now start adding the necessary layers for drainage and soil, followed by carefully selecting and arranging your plants to create a beautiful and thriving miniature garden.
Preparing the container is a crucial step in the process of making a terrarium. By choosing the right container, cleaning and drying it thoroughly, and cutting it to the desired height, you lay the foundation for a functional and aesthetically pleasing miniature ecosystem.
With a prepared container, you can then focus on creating the ideal environment for your chosen plants, ensuring proper drainage, moisture levels, and visual appeal. Whether you opt for a closed or open terrarium, the careful preparation of the container sets the stage for the success of your miniature garden.
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Create a drainage layer: Add gravel or stones to the bottom for drainage and charcoal to prevent odours and control moisture
Terrarium containers do not have drainage holes, so it is important to create a drainage layer to prevent water from pooling around plant roots, which could lead to root rot. Start by putting a layer of gravel, sea glass, beach stones, or crushed stone at the bottom of your container. The depth of this layer will depend on the shape of your container, with taller, narrower terrariums requiring a deeper layer than broader, shallower containers. As a general rule, a 2-inch layer of gravel or a 0.5-inch layer for small containers and 1.5-inch for large containers of pea gravel should be sufficient.
Next, use a large spoon to add a quarter- to a half-inch layer of activated charcoal on top of the gravel. The charcoal helps prevent fungi from growing on the stones when they are wet, controls odours, and helps with drainage. If you are using live moss in your terrarium, you can omit the charcoal as the moss will help control odours and add colour.
After adding the charcoal, spread a layer of sheet moss or live moss over the stones to keep the next layer of potting soil from mixing in with the charcoal and stones. The moss will also add visual interest to your terrarium.
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Add soil and plants: Use moist, sterile potting mix and choose plants that thrive in humid conditions, such as ferns or bamboo
To make a terrarium in a plastic container, it is important to choose plants that thrive in humid conditions. Tropical ferns and lucky bamboo are great options for closed terrariums as they require moist conditions. Tropical ferns, in particular, love moisture around their roots and in the air around them. They are also low-light terrarium plants, making them a good pair with other popular terrarium plants.
When adding soil to your terrarium, it is important to use a sterile potting mix. This is because terrarium containers do not have drainage holes, so creating a drainage layer at the bottom of the container is crucial to prevent plant roots from rotting. Start by putting a 2-inch layer of coarse gravel, sea glass, or beach stones at the bottom of your container. Next, add a quarter- to a half-inch layer of activated charcoal to prevent fungi from growing on the stones when they are wet. You can then add a layer of sheet moss to prevent the next layer of potting soil from mixing in with the charcoal and stones. Cover the gravel and charcoal with about 1 inch of moist, sterile potting mix.
Before adding your plants, take time to design their arrangement. Use your fingers or a large spoon to dig a hole in the potting mix for each plant. Carefully place the plants in the holes and gently pat the soil down around them. There should be about a half-inch layer of soil on top to cover the plants.
You can finish off your terrarium with a layer of bark chips or coloured gravel for additional flair. You can also add small figurines, seashells, stones, or other appropriately sized whimsical items to personalise your mini garden.
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Care and maintenance: Place the terrarium in indirect light and monitor moisture levels, opening the container periodically to prevent excess moisture
Terrariums are low-maintenance, self-sustaining ecosystems that require little care and attention. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your terrarium thrives.
Firstly, place your terrarium in indirect light. While most terrarium plants thrive in low to medium light, avoid placing the terrarium in strong direct sunlight as this can cause the water to evaporate too quickly and may scorch the plants. Artificial light can also be used; LED or fluorescent lights are suitable as they do not emit much heat.
Secondly, monitor the moisture levels in your terrarium. The walls of the terrarium should be misty with water droplets when in bright light, indicating that there is enough water. If there is no moisture along the sides, you need to add more water. If there is too much condensation, remove the lid or cover for a few hours to allow excess water to evaporate. Closed terrariums may only need to be watered every 4-6 months, while open terrariums benefit from being watered every 3-6 weeks. Check the soil to see if your plants need water, rather than watering on a schedule.
Finally, open the container periodically to prevent excess moisture and allow fresh air to circulate. This can be done about once a week or even daily. If your terrarium is sealed or in a closed container, it will still benefit from being opened occasionally.
In addition to the above, remember to remove yellowing or damaged leaves and dead plants promptly. Clean the inside and outside of the container periodically to prevent a build-up of dirt and water spots, which can reduce the amount of light reaching your plants.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use almost any clear, transparent container with a wide enough opening for your hand to fit inside. Popular options include glass jars, aquariums, goldfish bowls, mason jars, and plastic bottles.
Choose plants with a mix of leaf sizes, textures, and colours. Plants that do well in a terrarium include African violets, pothos, small ferns, lucky bamboo, and nerve plants. If you're making a DIY succulent terrarium, cacti and succulents require an open container as they don't tolerate high humidity.
First, cut off the top of a large, clear plastic bottle, leaving a container that is approximately 8 inches tall. Drill some holes in the cap or remove it entirely. Clean the container with soapy water and rinse and dry it completely. Cover the bottom with pea gravel or crushed stone for drainage. Add activated charcoal on top to help with odour control and prevent fungi.
Observe your terrarium closely for the first few days to ensure proper moisture levels. If there is no moisture along the sides, add more water. If there is too much moisture, remove the top for a few hours to let excess water evaporate. Only water every 4-6 months for closed terrariums. Keep the cover off for a period each day if condensation forms on the plants instead of the container.
You can decorate your terrarium with shells, figurines, or ornaments. You can also add paper pulp, dried envelope pieces, cinnamon sticks, and small plants to create a unique arrangement.
