Can You Put Succulents In A Terrarium – A Pro’S Guide To Avoiding Rot
Have you ever scrolled through Pinterest and stopped dead in your tracks at a photo of a gorgeous, miniature desert landscape captured perfectly under glass? It’s a stunning look, and it’s easy to think, “I want that!” But maybe you’ve tried it before, only to end up with a sad, soggy collection of mushy plants a few weeks later.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common heartbreaks in the plant world. The truth is, while it looks simple, creating a successful succulent terrarium requires a bit of know-how that often gets left out of those pretty pictures.
I promise this guide will change that. We’re going to pull back the curtain and give you the expert advice you need. You’ll learn exactly how to can you put succulents in a terrarium and keep it thriving for years to come.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk through why this project can be tricky, how to build the perfect foundation from the ground up, which plants to choose, and the long-term care secrets that make all the difference. Let’s build you a terrarium that doesn’t just survive, but truly shines.
The Big Question: Why Succulents in Terrariums Can Be Tricky
Before we start building, let’s get one crucial thing straight. The answer to “can you put succulents in a terrarium” is a resounding yes, but with a giant asterisk. It all comes down to understanding what a succulent needs versus what a traditional terrarium provides.
Succulents are desert plants. They’ve evolved to thrive in dry, arid environments with sandy, gritty soil and lots of airflow. They store water in their fleshy leaves, which means they are extremely sensitive to sitting in wet soil.
A traditional terrarium, especially a closed one with a lid, is designed to be a high-humidity, self-watering ecosystem. It’s perfect for ferns and mosses, but for a succulent, it’s a death sentence. The trapped moisture and lack of air circulation create the perfect storm for the number one succulent killer: root rot.
So, what’s the secret? Simple. You must use an open container. An open-top terrarium allows moisture to escape and provides the crucial airflow your succulents need to breathe. Think of it less as a humid jungle in a bottle and more as a beautiful, open-air miniature garden.
Your Can You Put Succulents in a Terrarium Guide to Success: The Foundation
A thriving succulent terrarium is like a well-built house—it all starts with a solid foundation. Getting the container and the layers right is 90% of the battle. This is one of those can you put succulents in a terrarium best practices that you absolutely cannot skip.
Choosing the Perfect Open Container
Your first step is to find a vessel. The key here is airflow and access. You’re looking for something made of clear glass so you can admire your work and monitor the soil layers.
Excellent choices include:
- Glass fishbowls or bubble bowls
- Wide-mouthed vases or jars
- Shallow glass dishes or trifle bowls
- Geometric glass planters designed with large openings
Ideally, a container with a drainage hole is best, but that would make it a planter, not a terrarium! We can replicate the effect of drainage with careful layering, which is our next step.
The All-Important Drainage Layers
Since your glass bowl won’t have a drainage hole, you need to create an area where excess water can go without waterlogging the soil. This “false bottom” is non-negotiable for preventing root rot.
- The Drainage Layer: Start with a 1-2 inch layer of gravel, pebbles, lava rocks, or even decorative glass beads at the very bottom. This creates empty space for water to collect away from the roots.
- The Filtration Layer: Add a thin layer of activated charcoal on top of the rocks. This is a pro tip! Charcoal helps filter the water, absorb impurities, and prevent nasty odors and bacterial growth in your terrarium. It keeps the environment fresh.
- The Barrier Layer: Place a piece of mesh, screen, or even a coffee filter on top of the charcoal. This simple barrier prevents your soil from mixing down into the drainage layers, which would defeat the whole purpose.
Crafting the Perfect Succulent Soil Mix
Please, do not use standard potting soil from the bag. It’s designed to retain moisture, which is exactly what we don’t want. You need a fast-draining, gritty mix that mimics a succulent’s natural habitat.
You can buy a pre-made cactus and succulent mix, which works great. Or, for a more eco-friendly can you put succulents in a terrarium approach, you can easily make your own!
Simple DIY Succulent Soil Recipe:
- 2 parts potting soil
- 1 part perlite or pumice (for aeration)
- 1 part coarse sand (not play sand, which is too fine)
Mix these together thoroughly. The final texture should feel light and gritty, not heavy and dense. This is the perfect home for your succulent roots.
How to Plant Your Succulents: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Now for the fun part! With your foundation in place, it’s time to bring your miniature landscape to life. This is the “how to” portion of our can you put succulents in a terrarium guide.
- Add Your Soil: Pour your succulent soil mix over the barrier layer. Add enough so that your plants will have plenty of room for their roots, typically 2-4 inches depending on the size of your container and plants.
- Plan Your Design: Before you start digging, arrange your succulents on top of the soil to see how they look. Think about varying heights, textures, and colors. A good design principle is to use a “thriller” (a taller, eye-catching plant), “fillers” (medium-sized plants), and “spillers” (plants that trail over the edge).
- Time to Plant: Gently remove your succulents from their nursery pots and loosen the root balls. Dig a small hole for each plant, place it inside, and gently backfill with soil, patting it down to secure the plant. Use a small brush to sweep any stray soil off the leaves.
- Add a Top Dressing: This is the finishing touch! Add a thin layer of decorative sand, fine gravel, or small pebbles on top of the soil. This not only looks beautiful but also helps keep the succulent leaves from touching moist soil, further preventing rot.
A quick tip: After planting, wait a few days before watering. This allows any damaged roots to heal and callous over, reducing the risk of rot right from the start.
The Best Succulents for Your Terrarium Adventure
Not all succulents are created equal when it comes to terrarium life. You’ll want to choose varieties that are small, slow-growing, and have similar light and water needs. Mixing a sun-loving Echeveria with a shade-tolerant Haworthia can lead to one of them being unhappy.
Here are some of the best choices for beginners:
- Haworthia (Zebra Plant): These are superstars for terrariums. They are small, slow-growing, and tolerate slightly lower light conditions than many other succulents.
- Gasteria (Ox Tongue): Similar to Haworthias, they are tough, have interesting textures, and don’t need direct, blasting sun.
- Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks): These form beautiful, tight rosettes and produce little “chicks” that will fill in the space over time.
- Small Echeverias: Look for smaller varieties. Their classic rosette shape is a terrarium staple, but be sure they get enough light to prevent stretching.
- Crassula (Jade Plant): Choose dwarf varieties. Their tree-like structure can add wonderful height and interest.
- Sedum (Stonecrop): Many sedums, like ‘Burro’s Tail’, can act as beautiful “spillers” that trail over the side of the container.
Common Problems with Can You Put Succulents in a Terrarium (And How to Fix Them!)
Even with the best setup, you might run into a hiccup or two. Don’t worry! Here are some common problems with can you put succulents in a terrarium and how to solve them like a pro.
Help! My Succulents are Stretching (Etiolation)
If your plants are getting tall and “leggy” with lots of space between the leaves, they are stretching for light. This is called etiolation.
The Fix: Move your terrarium to a spot with more bright, indirect sunlight, like a south-facing window. You can’t reverse the stretching, but you can prevent it from getting worse. For a stretched plant, you can snip off the top, let it callous for a few days, and replant it.
The Dreaded Mushy Leaves: Root Rot
If you see yellowing, translucent, or mushy leaves at the base of your plant, you’re likely dealing with root rot from overwatering.
The Fix: Stop watering immediately! Allow the soil to dry out completely. If it’s a severe case, you may need to gently remove the plant, trim away any black, mushy roots, let it dry out for a day or two, and then repot in fresh, dry soil.
Pests in a Small Space
The most common pests are mealybugs (they look like tiny white cotton fluff) and fungus gnats (annoying little flies buzzing around the soil).
The Fix: For mealybugs, dip a cotton swab in 70% isopropyl alcohol and touch each bug to eliminate it. For fungus gnats, let the soil dry out completely between waterings and use yellow sticky traps to catch the adults.
Your Sustainable Can You Put Succulents in a Terrarium Care Guide
Building the terrarium is just the beginning. Proper long-term care is what ensures your creation becomes a lasting piece of living art. This can you put succulents in a terrarium care guide focuses on a sustainable, low-maintenance approach.
The Golden Rule of Watering
The number one rule is: when in doubt, don’t water. Succulents would much rather be too dry than too wet. Check the soil by sticking a wooden skewer or chopstick deep into the soil. If it comes out with any moisture or dark soil on it, wait longer.
When you do water (perhaps every 3-6 weeks, depending on your home’s climate), do so thoroughly. Use a small watering can or a squirt bottle with a narrow tip to direct water at the soil level, avoiding the leaves. Water until you see a small amount collect in the drainage layer, and then stop.
Let There Be Light!
Your terrarium needs at least six hours of bright, indirect light per day. Direct, scorching sun can burn the leaves through the glass, so a spot near a bright window but out of the direct sunbeams is perfect. Remember to rotate your terrarium every week or so to ensure all plants get even light exposure.
Pruning and Maintenance
Gently pull off any dead, dried-up leaves from the bottom of your plants. This keeps the terrarium looking tidy and prevents decay, which can attract pests. If a plant gets too big, don’t be afraid to prune it back or remove it and replace it with a smaller one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Succulent Terrariums
Do I need a lid for my succulent terrarium?
Absolutely not! A lid is the fastest way to create a humid, stagnant environment that will lead to rot. Always keep your succulent terrarium open to the air.
Can I use sand from the beach?
It’s best to avoid it. Beach sand contains salt and potentially harmful microorganisms that can damage your plants. Always use sterile horticultural sand from a garden center.
How often should I fertilize my terrarium?
Very rarely. Terrariums are a closed system, and fertilizer salts can build up. If you feel you must, use a heavily diluted cactus fertilizer once a year during the spring or summer growing season.
What’s the biggest mistake people make?
The two biggest mistakes are using a sealed container and overwatering. If you choose an open container and master the “less is more” watering technique, you’ve already won most of the battle.
Go Forth and Create!
So, can you put succulents in a terrarium? Yes, you absolutely can, and now you have the knowledge to do it right. You understand the importance of an open container, the critical role of proper layering, and the secrets to watering and light.
You’re no longer just guessing; you’re equipped with a professional-level understanding of what these beautiful plants need to thrive in a glass environment. This isn’t just a craft project; it’s a tiny ecosystem that you get to design and nurture.
So go ahead, gather your materials, and build that stunning mini-desert you’ve been dreaming of. Trust your instincts, have fun with it, and enjoy the process. You’ve got this!
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