How to Build an Open-Bottle Terrarium

If you’ve been wanting to add an interesting decoration to your workspace or home, a terrarium is a fantastic option! Bringing the beautiful sights and feeling of being outside to the indoors, these glass enclosures are sure to liven up your space.

A terrarium is a semi enclosed glass container that creates a warm humid microclimate. Foliage plants are best for these containers, so selecting ones that showcase a variety of leaf shapes and colors is the way to go. Pick one large feature plant that will stand out from the rest, taking care not to overcrowd the bottle so that they all have room to grow.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

PLANTS:

A selection of humidity loving foliage plants including one larger focal plant such as small ferns and succulents
Decorative moss
Suggested plants include:
Friendship plant
Easy Indian Holly fern
Eatermelon peperomia
Starfish flower cactus
Nerve plant
Baby tears plant
Golden Club Moss
Spiderwort
Air plant
African violet
Strawberry begonia

A wide-open top heavy glass bottle or jar
Fine-grade gravel
Activated charcoal
Multi-purpose potting soil
Decorative Pebbles which is optional
Dibble
Small watering can with a rose attachment

STEP 1

Firstly, you’ll want to ensure your terrarium has drainage for your plants. To do this, pour a layer of gravel approximately 1 inch deep into the base of the bottle. Next, mix in a few spoonfuls of activated charcoal to prevent the growth of fungi.

STEP 2

Second, add an even layer of potting soil approximately 2 to 4 inches deep over the gravel charcoal mixture. Using the tips of your fingers, make a hole in the soil the same size as the focal plant’s root ball.

STEP 3

To add the focal plant, gently remove it from its pot and loosen the roots by shaking off the soil. This encourages healthy growth for the plant! Then you can gently place the plant in it’s designated hole and form the potting soil around the plant’s base with your fingers or a dibble. Repeat this step for the rest of your chosen plants.

STEP 4

Here is where you can get even more creative! If you prefer, cover the surface of the potting soil with decorative mosses and pebbles. Lastly, carefully wipe the inside of the bottle clean with a paper towel or cloth.

HOW TO MAINTAIN

WATERING:

To ensure your plants are getting enough water, use a small watering can fitted with a rose attachment. The grouped plants and semi enclosed space create a humid environment that traps moisture, so make sure not to over water! A good rule of thumb is to water the plants when the potting soil is dried out.

MAINTENANCE AND CARE:

As far as location, it is best to place the terrarium in a bright spot, but out of direct sunlight. Too much sun exposure may scorch the leaves through the glass.