Moisture Loving Terrariums
Care
Moisture loving terrariums should be composed of plants that love humidity. Depending on the type of plant you have, moisture loving terrariums can be closed completely with a lid or have a small hole, such as a bottle or a jar. Being that a bottle or jar does not have drainage holes at the bottom, know that all the water you put into your terrarium will stay there and have to be absorbed by the soil, the moss and the plant. In a quart size mason jar such as the one pictured with no lid, we suggest watering about 1/4 cup, one or two times weekly depending on how much light it is getting. If it has a lid on it, you would water it approximately 1/4 cup a couple of times a month (again depending on how much light it is getting). Aim to water the soil, not the foliage of the plant. When you find that sweet spot of a perfect blend of light and moisture content, you can leave the closed terrarium to its own business. Some terrariums have reported to have continued on watering itself for over 40 years. How do they do this? When the humidity builds up in the terrarium, the condensation drips down the inside of the terrarium, thus watering the soil. So if you want a no fuss terrarium- try leaving the lid on in a bright indirect light and see what happens. Most moisture loving terrariums like a bright indirect light, but some plants take more or less light. Remember, the whole idea of a terrarium is that you are creating a more humid protected environment for the plant, everything else is specific to the type of plant you have in it.
Tips
Use a squirt gun to water your terrariums. Set it on the "stream" setting and when watering, aim for the base of the plant rather than the foliage. The soil needs the water, not the foliage. If you want to mist super humid lovers with a fine spray, such as moss, or tropical plants that is ok, just don't over do it! Always pay attention to the color of the soil when you water, the best part of having your plant in a clear glass container is you can monitor it so easily!
Always use activated charcoal when building a terrarium. Layers go as follows from the bottom of the container- gravel, moss, charcoal, soil, plant. The charcoal acts as a filter for all the natural toxins that can come with any of the materials that you are using.
If you have any more questions about terrariums- feel free to email us [email protected]. And be sure to ask about our Terrarium Making Classes!
Troubleshooting
If your terrariums plants are looking black, mushy or droopy looking, they could be over watered. Stop watering and let the terrarium dry out, lid off, in indirect sun for a few days.
Moisture loving terrariums should be composed of plants that love humidity. Depending on the type of plant you have, moisture loving terrariums can be closed completely with a lid or have a small hole, such as a bottle or a jar. Being that a bottle or jar does not have drainage holes at the bottom, know that all the water you put into your terrarium will stay there and have to be absorbed by the soil, the moss and the plant. In a quart size mason jar such as the one pictured with no lid, we suggest watering about 1/4 cup, one or two times weekly depending on how much light it is getting. If it has a lid on it, you would water it approximately 1/4 cup a couple of times a month (again depending on how much light it is getting). Aim to water the soil, not the foliage of the plant. When you find that sweet spot of a perfect blend of light and moisture content, you can leave the closed terrarium to its own business. Some terrariums have reported to have continued on watering itself for over 40 years. How do they do this? When the humidity builds up in the terrarium, the condensation drips down the inside of the terrarium, thus watering the soil. So if you want a no fuss terrarium- try leaving the lid on in a bright indirect light and see what happens. Most moisture loving terrariums like a bright indirect light, but some plants take more or less light. Remember, the whole idea of a terrarium is that you are creating a more humid protected environment for the plant, everything else is specific to the type of plant you have in it.
Tips
Use a squirt gun to water your terrariums. Set it on the "stream" setting and when watering, aim for the base of the plant rather than the foliage. The soil needs the water, not the foliage. If you want to mist super humid lovers with a fine spray, such as moss, or tropical plants that is ok, just don't over do it! Always pay attention to the color of the soil when you water, the best part of having your plant in a clear glass container is you can monitor it so easily!
Always use activated charcoal when building a terrarium. Layers go as follows from the bottom of the container- gravel, moss, charcoal, soil, plant. The charcoal acts as a filter for all the natural toxins that can come with any of the materials that you are using.
If you have any more questions about terrariums- feel free to email us [email protected]. And be sure to ask about our Terrarium Making Classes!
Troubleshooting
If your terrariums plants are looking black, mushy or droopy looking, they could be over watered. Stop watering and let the terrarium dry out, lid off, in indirect sun for a few days.
Dry Terrariums
Dry terrariums are composed of plants that are normally in dry arid environments, such as succulents or cacti. The container should have a large opening to ensure great air circulation and non-humid environment. If you have a sunny location, this terrarium has almost zero maintenance, perfect for a first time plant owner!
Care
Because of the nature of a terrarium not having a drainage hole at the bottom, it is especially important not to over water these types of plants. Someone who forgets to water plants would love this terrarium because you only have to water dry terrariums once or twice a month! Each watering should be just enough water to saturate the soil around each plant. Unlike moisture loving terrariums, dry terrariums should not be humid, should never be closed and should not have condensation forming on the inside of the container. Place them in a bright sunny spot, where it gets a few hours of direct sun. Keep an eye that the plants are not getting too hot and frying as the glass amplifies the sun. As with any plant you have, move it around in your house until it finds that sweet spot.
Tips
We suggest using a spray bottle set to the "stream" setting and aiming the spray to the base of each plant on all sides without getting water on the foliage. Succulents and Cacti especially do not like water sitting on their foliage.
Having a large opening in your container, your "terrarium" is actually basically a planter. We still like to call it a terrarium because the plants are thriving below the opening or top of the container. Because of such great air circulation, there is not much need for activated charcoal, but I like to put some in anyways just in case. Never hurts to filter out the toxins.
If you have any more questions about terrariums- feel free to email us [email protected]. And be sure to ask about our Terrarium Making Classes!
Troubleshooting
If your plants are turning black and mushy, you are overwatering. If your plants are elongating or taking on a weird shape, they are not getting enough sun. And if they are getting dry and crispy in the edges of the leaves, they are not getting enough water.
Care
Because of the nature of a terrarium not having a drainage hole at the bottom, it is especially important not to over water these types of plants. Someone who forgets to water plants would love this terrarium because you only have to water dry terrariums once or twice a month! Each watering should be just enough water to saturate the soil around each plant. Unlike moisture loving terrariums, dry terrariums should not be humid, should never be closed and should not have condensation forming on the inside of the container. Place them in a bright sunny spot, where it gets a few hours of direct sun. Keep an eye that the plants are not getting too hot and frying as the glass amplifies the sun. As with any plant you have, move it around in your house until it finds that sweet spot.
Tips
We suggest using a spray bottle set to the "stream" setting and aiming the spray to the base of each plant on all sides without getting water on the foliage. Succulents and Cacti especially do not like water sitting on their foliage.
Having a large opening in your container, your "terrarium" is actually basically a planter. We still like to call it a terrarium because the plants are thriving below the opening or top of the container. Because of such great air circulation, there is not much need for activated charcoal, but I like to put some in anyways just in case. Never hurts to filter out the toxins.
If you have any more questions about terrariums- feel free to email us [email protected]. And be sure to ask about our Terrarium Making Classes!
Troubleshooting
If your plants are turning black and mushy, you are overwatering. If your plants are elongating or taking on a weird shape, they are not getting enough sun. And if they are getting dry and crispy in the edges of the leaves, they are not getting enough water.