Aside from having regular plants indoors, another creative way to bring a touch of nature indoors is with a terrarium; a miniature environment contained in small glass jars. The exciting thing about terrariums is that they are creative and fun projects to make with family and friends. Hence in this article, we will guide you through how to make your beautiful terrarium with small glass containers at home, which you can use to decorate and liven up your workspace or home.
What Is a Terrarium?
A terrarium is a small or miniature garden enclosed in a transparent glass jar. This miniature garden consists of soil, pebbles, plants, small animals and decorative elements, which can be either artificial or real. Terrariums are used as decorative jars to add a touch of nature to a home or office. They also require little or no maintenance, which makes it perfect for those with busy schedules.
Closed or Open Terrarium: Which Should You Choose?
Before you start, decide whether your terrarium will be closed (with a lid) or open. This affects which plants and layers you need.
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Closed terrarium |
Open terrarium |
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Best for |
Moss, ferns, fittonia, moisture-loving plants, or artificial displays |
Succulents, cacti, air plants, artificial displays |
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Jar type |
Glass jar with a lid |
Glass jar with no lid, or lid left off |
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Watering |
Rarely, the jar recycles its own moisture |
More often, as moisture escapes |
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Risk |
Mould or condensation if overwatered |
Drying out if under-watered |
If you're using artificial plants, either style works, since drainage and moisture aren't a concern. Our glass jars with lids are a good fit for both open and closed, live-plant terrariums.
The Materials You Need
- Your chosen small glass jar
- Artificial terrarium plants
- Sand
- Small pebbles or gravel
- Artificial moss
- Tweezer
- Decorations: small figurines, crystals, bark pieces, etc (optional)
6 Steps to Make a Beautiful Terrarium
1. Get Your Glass Jar Ready
Select your desired small glass container from a variety of available sizes and designs that complement your preference. Ensure it is clean and dry before using it. Our available collection includes bottle and jars wholesale and retail in different sizes and designs from square jars to low-profile jars to suit your terrarium need.
2. Add a Layer of Sand
Get fine-grained sand and create a thin lay by pouring the sand into the bottom of the small glass jar. This is very important to ensure accurate drainage for water if you are using a life plant.
3. Place Your Pebbles
After adding a layer of sand depending on your aesthetic preference, add a layer of pebbles; either plain or decorative ones. For live plants, it is necessary because it further enhances drainage, after which a layer of sand is added again (not applicable to artificial plants).
4. Place Your Artificial Moss
On top of your pebbles add a layer of your moss using a tweezer, to serve as the base of your plant. Depending on your choice, you can cover the entire pebbles with the moss or creatively add it to only the base of your plant. Just be creative. For live plants, the moss helps to retain moisture in the terrarium.
5. Add Your Artificial Plant
Having selected your preferred plant, use a tweezer to place and position the plant within the environment. You can use different variety of small plants but ensure they are visually appealing and not congested in the decorative jar.
6. Decorate Your Terrarium
This is optional. If you wish to add some decorative features, you can consider adding colourful stones, figurines, bark pieces or even crystals. Focus on only making it more visually appealing compared to just adding stuff in there.
Are you considering embarking on a terrarium-making project? Let’s help you. We have a vast number of bottle and jars wholesale and retail options you can pick from. Start by exploring.
Best Plants For A UK Terrarium
If you're using live plants, choose ones suited to the humid, low-light conditions inside a jar. Good options for a UK terrarium include:
● Moss (British woodland moss works well in closed terrariums)
● Ferns, such as maidenhair or button fern
● Fittonia (nerve plant)
● Peperomia
● Small ivy cuttings
Avoid succulents and cacti in a closed jar; they're prone to rot in the humidity, and do better in an open jar or beside a bright windowsill instead.
How to Care for Your Terrarium
● Watering: Closed terrariums need very little water; check every few weeks and only add a small amount if the soil looks dry. Open terrariums and artificial displays need occasional light misting or none at all.
● Light: Keep your terrarium in bright, indirect light. Direct sun through glass can scorch live plants and overheat the jar.
● Condensation: A little misting on the glass in a closed terrarium is normal. If it's constantly dripping, take the lid off for a day to let it dry out.
● Mould: If you see white or green mould on the soil, remove the lid for a few days and cut back on watering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Jar Terrariums Need Charcoal?
For terrariums made with artificial plants, it is not necessary. But for live plants it is optional. Activated charcoal can absorb impurities and odours which keeps your glass jar's terrarium fresh. The charcoal is often placed between the pebbles and sand.
Can a Terrarium Survive Without Sunlight?
Artificial terrariums don’t need sunlight. However, living plants can thrive in indirect sunlight or low light to maintain freshness.
Should Terrariums Be Open or Closed?
Being closed or open depends on whether it’s artificial plants or living plants. A closed terrarium can go for fake plants but if it’s a living plant, consider leaving it open. Our collection of small glass jars includes both bottle and jars wholesale and retail with lids and without lids.
How often do I need to water a terrarium?
A closed terrarium with live plants may only need watering every few weeks, since the moisture recycles inside the jar. Open terrariums dry out faster and need checking more often. Artificial terrariums don't need watering at all.
Why does my terrarium have mould?
Mould usually means too much moisture. Take the lid off for a few days to let it dry out, and water more sparingly going forward.
What plants are best for a small terrarium?
For open terrariums, succulents, cacti, and air plants are excellent choices. For closed terrariums, ferns, moss, and small tropical plants like pilea or fittonia work well.