What Do You Need To Make A Terrarium – Your Complete Guide

Written ByHoward Parker

Love the challenge and beauty of creating a balanced underwater world in your aquarium? Ever find yourself staring at your aquascape, thinking about how you could bring that same magic to dry land? If you’re nodding along, then you’re in the right place.

Creating a terrarium can feel like a whole new world, but I promise you it’s not as daunting as it seems. In fact, many of the principles you’ve mastered as an aquarist—balancing an ecosystem, understanding light, and careful maintenance—apply directly here. This comprehensive what do you need to make a terrarium guide will walk you through every single item and step, ensuring your first foray into terrestrial mini-worlds is a stunning success.

We’ll cover everything from choosing the perfect container and layering your substrate like a pro, to selecting the right plants and keeping your new ecosystem thriving for years to come. Let’s get our hands dirty!

The Foundation: Choosing the Perfect Container

Just like picking the right tank, your container is the single most important decision. It dictates the type of environment you can create and the plants that will thrive inside. Your main choice is between an open or a closed system.

Open Terrariums: For the Sun and Arid Lovers

Think of an open terrarium as a home for plants that don’t enjoy sitting in a humid environment. Glass bowls, vases with wide openings, or any container without a lid are perfect for this.

These are ideal for succulents and cacti that need plenty of air circulation to prevent rot. They are generally lower maintenance when it comes to mold and fungus but may require more frequent watering than their closed counterparts.

Closed Terrariums: A Self-Sustaining Rainforest in a Jar

This is where the real magic happens! A closed terrarium with a lid creates its own water cycle. Moisture evaporates from the plants and soil, condenses on the glass, and “rains” back down, watering the system. It’s a tiny, self-contained biosphere.

These are perfect for tropical, humidity-loving plants like ferns, mosses, and nerve plants. They require very little watering once established, making them a fantastic, low-maintenance option. The key is finding a truly clear glass container with a snug-fitting lid. Old cookie jars, cloches, or large glass bottles work beautifully.

What Do You Need to Make a Terrarium? The 4 Essential Layers

Okay, friend, this is the most critical part. Just like an aquarium needs a good substrate, a terrarium’s success hinges on its layers. Getting this right prevents the number one terrarium killer: root rot. Here’s exactly how to what do you need to make a terrarium, from the bottom up.

  1. The Drainage Layer (False Bottom). This is your safety net. It’s a reservoir at the bottom where excess water can collect, keeping it away from plant roots. Without this, your soil would become a swamp.
    • Materials: Small pebbles, LECA (lightweight expanded clay aggregate), or gravel. Aim for a layer that’s about 1-2 inches deep, depending on your container size.
  2. The Separation Layer. This is a simple but vital barrier. It’s a thin screen that sits on top of your drainage layer to prevent your soil from mixing into the water reservoir.
    • Materials: A piece of window screen, weed barrier fabric cut to size, or a thin layer of sphagnum moss works perfectly.
  3. The Activated Charcoal Layer. Here’s a pro tip many beginners miss! A thin layer of activated charcoal (the same kind you might use in your aquarium filter) acts as a natural filter for your terrarium’s ecosystem.
    • Purpose: It purifies the water, fights off bacterial growth, and eliminates any potential odors, keeping your mini-world fresh and clean. This is especially important for closed terrariums.
  4. The Substrate Layer. This is the soil where your plants will live. Don’t just grab dirt from your garden! You need a specific mix tailored to your plants.
    • For Closed Terrariums (Tropicals): Use a peat-based potting mix. I like to create my own by mixing potting soil, sphagnum moss, and a bit of perlite for aeration.
    • For Open Terrariums (Succulents): Use a fast-draining cactus or succulent mix. You can buy this pre-made or mix potting soil with sand and perlite.

Bringing It to Life: Selecting the Right Plants

Choosing plants is the most exciting part! The golden rule is to select plants that share the same light, water, and humidity requirements. Don’t try to house a desert cactus next to a rainforest fern—it’s a recipe for disaster.

Best Plants for Closed Terrariums (High Humidity)

These little guys love a moist, enclosed environment. Don’t worry—these are perfect for beginners!

  • Nerve Plant (Fittonia): Known for its striking veined leaves, it stays small and loves humidity.
  • Mosses: Cushion moss or sheet moss creates a lush, green carpet.
  • Maidenhair Fern: Delicate and beautiful, it thrives in the consistent moisture of a closed system.
  • Baby Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii): A fast-growing ground cover that fills in beautifully.

Best Plants for Open Terrariums (Low Humidity)

These plants need good airflow and prefer to dry out between waterings.

  • Succulents: Echeveria, Haworthia, and Gasteria come in incredible shapes and colors.
  • Cacti: Small varieties are perfect, but be careful with the spines during planting!
  • Air Plants (Tillandsia): These don’t even need soil! You can simply place them on a piece of wood or a rock inside your open terrarium.

The Fun Part: Assembly and “Terra-scaping”

Think of this as aquascaping, but with soil instead of water. The principles of creating depth, texture, and a focal point are exactly the same. Following these what do you need to make a terrarium best practices will ensure a beautiful result.

First, gather your tools. Long tweezers, a small scoop or spoon, a paintbrush for dusting off leaves, and a spray bottle will be your best friends.

  1. Clean Your Canvas: Wash and thoroughly dry your glass container. Any lingering bacteria can cause problems later.
  2. Build Your Foundation: Carefully add your layers in order: drainage, separator, charcoal, and finally, a generous layer of substrate. Shape the substrate to create hills and valleys for visual interest.
  3. Place Your Plants: Start with your largest “focal point” plant. Gently remove it from its nursery pot, tease the roots, and use your tools to nestle it into the substrate. Arrange the smaller plants around it.
  4. Add the Hardscape: Now add your decorative elements. Interesting rocks, small pieces of driftwood, or even tiny figurines can bring your world to life.
  5. The First Watering: Give your terrarium a light watering. For a closed system, you want the soil to be moist but not soggy. For an open system, water the base of each succulent. Use the paintbrush to clean any soil off the glass or leaves.

Long-Term Success: Your Terrarium Care Guide

You’ve built it, and it looks amazing! Now what? The good news is that a well-built terrarium is incredibly low-maintenance. This is the simple what do you need to make a terrarium care guide to keep it thriving.

Lighting: Finding the Sweet Spot

Most terrarium plants need bright, indirect light. A spot near a window but out of the direct sun’s rays is perfect. Direct sun can scorch the leaves and overheat a closed terrarium, turning it into a tiny oven.

Watering: Less Is More

This is where most people go wrong. A closed terrarium may only need watering every few months, or even less! Look for condensation: a little fog on the glass is good, but if it’s constantly covered in large water droplets, you need to air it out by removing the lid for a few hours. For open terrariums, water only when the soil is completely dry.

Pruning and Maintenance

Trim back any plants that are getting too large or pressing against the glass. Remove any yellowed or dead leaves immediately to prevent decay and mold. Every few months, give the inside of the glass a wipe-down with a clean cloth to keep the view crystal clear.

Building a Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Terrarium

One of the best benefits of what do you need to make a terrarium is how eco-friendly it can be. You’re creating a miniature, self-sustaining world, and you can do it with a minimal environmental footprint.

Consider using recycled materials for your container—an old pickle jar or a beautiful glass bottle can be given a new life. When gathering natural elements like moss or stones, do so responsibly from your own property or purchase them from sustainable suppliers. Creating a sustainable what do you need to make a terrarium project is not only rewarding but also a beautiful statement about conservation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Making a Terrarium

Why is there mold in my terrarium and how do I fix it?

Mold is usually a sign of two things: too much moisture and not enough air circulation. This is one of the most common problems with what do you need to make a terrarium. First, remove the lid to let it dry out for a day or two. You can spot-treat the mold with a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide. To prevent it, consider adding springtails—tiny insects that act as a cleanup crew by eating mold and decay.

How often do I need to water my closed terrarium?

It depends, but the answer is very rarely! A well-balanced closed terrarium can go for months without water. Your best indicator is the soil and condensation. If the soil looks dry and there’s no condensation on the glass for a few days, it’s time to add a small amount of water with a spray bottle.

Can I put insects or animals in my terrarium?

Yes, but that transitions your terrarium into a vivarium or a bioactive setup. Small insects like springtails and isopods are excellent additions as a “cleanup crew.” For larger animals like frogs or geckos, you need a much larger, specialized setup designed for their specific needs, which goes beyond a simple plant terrarium.

Your Miniature World Awaits

There you have it—everything you need to know to create a stunning terrarium. From the essential layers and perfect plants to long-term care, you’re now equipped with the knowledge to build a thriving miniature ecosystem.

It’s a project that combines the science of biology with the art of design, just like our beloved aquariums. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with it. You have the knowledge, so go get your hands dirty and create your own little green world!

Howard Parker
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