How to plant and maintain a terrarium
Zoomer | January 1st, 2006
Terrarium gardens may be open at the top to create a micro climate or sealed so that the moisture and the air inside are recycled to create an ecosystem.
Materials Needed
- any glass container
- horticultural charcoal to keep the soil sweet
- gravel to provide drainage
- White Rose Tropical Potting soil for tropical plants
- long fibre sphagnum moss for carnivorous plants
- milled sphagnum peat moss for ferns
- pebbles, rocks, driftwood, ornaments, figurines, etc. for decoration
Suitable Plants
- baby tropical plants such as Pilea
- Peperomia
- Philodendron
- Fittonia
- Sansevieria
- Dracaena
- Croton
- Ivy, etc.
- blooming plants such as African Violet and Episcia.
- ferns such as Maidenhair, Button, and assorted Pteris varieties.
- carnivorous plants such as Venus Fly Trap
- Pitcher plant
- Sundew.
To Plant
- layer the charcoal, gravel and soil or moss.
- remove plants from the pots and loosen the roots.
- plant shorter plants in the ont and the taller plants at the back.
- decorate the terrarium with decorative ground cover and ornaments of your choice.
- dribble the water down the inside of the glass to avoid splashing up the soil.
After Planting
- wait a day or two before sealing the terrarium to allow any excess moisture to escape
- unsealed terrariums will have to be watered periodically when planting media is dry.
Maintenance
- position in bright light but not in direct sunlight.
- never fertilize.
- remove all dead plant material.
- plants may be pruned or shaped as necessary.