Terrariums are easy to make and low-maintenance, and can last a long time with minimal water.
IF YOU love plants but have very little space in your garden, why not create your own mini world full of greens and colours in a terrarium?
Do-It-Yourself terrariums — a pretty glass container or jar for your plants — are a trend now and favoured by a new generation of indoor gardening enthusiasts.
Terrariums are easy to make and low-maintenance, and can last a long time with minimal water, especially if they consist cacti and succulents.
Succulent plants have plump, fleshy leaves that store water. They are great entry-level plants for those looking for low-maintenance greenery. Their wide variety of shapes, colours and sizes make them excellent for terrariums.
Cacti has hairs, hooks, spikes and spines, and some bloom beautifully, which can be rewarding. Like succulents, cacti require very little water, just enough that they won’t shrivel.
You can assemble terrariums of various shapes and sizes and put them anywhere in your home, be it on your work/study desk, dining table, in the kitchen, bathroom or living room. In fact you can place terrariums just about anywhere and they will make the place look good.
If you are worried about spending a lot of money on terrariums, just scrounge around your house for empty jars, bowls, containers or whatever interesting glass containers you have to get started.
Next, you will need pebbles, rocks or little stones. You may be able to find them outdoors, except for pebbles, which you may need to buy.
Other items that you will need are activated charcoal, potting soil appropriate for your plants, moss (although this is optional) and most importantly, the plants. You can get a few varieties, or just one particular plant but in various species like succulents and cacti. Generally, look for small plants that can fit inside jars or bowls and won’t grow too tall. Remember, terrariums are supposed to have small plants that stay small.
The rocks are used as a false drainage layer while the activated charcoal helps keep the terrarium healthy by reducing bacteria, fungi and odors. The moss is a form of decoration for your terrarium but it helps to also soak up and retain water.
DO IT YOURSELF
Once you have everything in place, fill the bottom of the container with either rocks, stones or pebbles. The depth of the rocks or stones totally depends on the size of your container.
Next, add the activated charcoal, just enough to cover the stones. Following this add soil. Be sure to add enough soil so the plant roots will have plenty of room to move about and grow.
Add the plant in the middle of the soil. Dig a deep hole than place the plant in it. Add more soil around the base of the plant.
Finally, add a blanket of dried or living moss scattering it all around the plant.
If you like, add little figurines or old toys to make it lively and lovely.
Water the terrarium but don’t over soak it. And remember, don’t place in direct sunlight.
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