Terrariums – an introduction
Terrarium making is a hobby that I have dabbled with before. I made two terrariums as gifts a few years ago. The recipients seemed to like them, and I had a lot of fun making them, so I thought I would give it another go. I already have some of the basic supplies that were leftovers from those projects and purchased as part of another terrarium I had planned to do but never quite got around to.
THE DESIGN
Before you start buying all your supplies, it’s a good idea to at least have an idea of what you want your terrarium to look like. This will affect the types of plants you need, the accessories you choose, and the container it all goes in. Inspiration can come from anywhere. There are lots of images online, or you can visit your local craft store and check out the miniatures section, or it could be based around a pretty rock or piece of driftwood you found while out for a walk or a small plant that just speaks to you. The first one I did was based on the idea of a relaxing garden setting.
THE CONTAINER
It should be a clear glass container with an opening large enough for you to get the terrarium items through. The size of the container is up to you. The two I’ve made were different sizes and shapes, but they both had lids. I personally like containers with lids because then they are self-contained, so you don’t have to remember to water them all the time.
THE BASE
No matter what goes on top, the bases layers are always the same (in this order):
- Small rocks for drainage (gravel, aquarium rocks, small river rocks, colored glass, etc.)
- Activated charcoal (a must if you make an enclosed terrarium)
- Potting soil (choose what’s appropriate for the plants you are going to use)
- THE PLANTS
- Decorative elements (rocks, driftwood, mini furniture, figurines, etc.)
In my experience succulents seemed to be the easiest small plants to find. Air plants are also very popular since they take very little effort to maintain, but to me, they seem more limiting on design options. There are other plant choices for sure, and since neither of my terrariums was desert or coastal, I looked until I found some other options. I wish I could you give you the names of the types I used, but I really don’t know much about plants. I can read the care labels to make sure that they need similar growing conditions, but that is about the best I can do.
THE NEW TERRARIUM
This was supposed to be made as a Christmas gift, but life happens so this didn’t. Instead, I’m going to make it just for the fun of it. I still haven’t decided on a theme, but I’m leaning toward something with ladybugs. I have a decorative stone with a ladybug etched into it and a stick-on ladybug that came on a bouquet my husband sent me. I still need to get some activated charcoal and pick out plants. Last time I was at the store I just didn’t see any plants that called out to me.
COSTS
- Container $6 (picked it up at TJ Maxx)
- I have found some really cute containers checking the cookie jar sections at Target and TJ Maxx. Depending on the size you want they are going to run between $5 and $20. I have seen containers for more than that, but there are plenty of options for under $20.
- Base/Filler $19
- I recently picked up a bag of river rocks at Cost Plus for $2.99. The bag of potting soil I have I picked up at my local DollarTree for a different project. You can buy variety bags of moss for $3.99 (I got my last one at TJ Maxx). The activated charcoal is the most expensive piece of this and all of the bag size options are going to give you way more than you need for one terrarium. It’s been a while but I’m pretty sure I used Black Gold Charcoal last time and I just found a 2QT bag on Amazon for $10.96.
- Plants $4+
- Depending on where you go and what type of plants you are looking for, expect to spend $3.99 to $9.99 per plant (according to my last trip to Home Depot).
- Decorative Pieces $TBD
- Decorative pieces can vary widely. I’ve used twigs and stones that I’ve found while on hikes and I’ve spent about $10 on mini furniture pieces that were exactly what I was looking for. There are lots of options in a variety of price ranges.
CONSTRUCTION
To be continued next week…
