My first terrarium was an elaborate landscape, with little figurines holding hands on a park bench among the mossy plants. This is how I learned you can’t stick any old plants in some dirt in a jar and hope for the best.
Photography by John Merkl for Gardenista.
Need to Know: There are two kinds of terrariums, open-sided containers and closed vessels.
Step 1: Spread a 1/2- to 1-inch layer of pebbles in the base of the container for drainage.
Step 3: Add a 1- to 2-inch deep layer of potting soil. Step 4: Before planting, arrange plants–miniature ferns are a good choice in a closed environment–in the container with enough space to grow.
Optional: Spray mist on plant leaves.
Step 6: Close container and place terrarium in a well-lit spot–but out of direct sunlight, because the glass will intensify the sun’s rays.