DIY Medium Open and Closed Terrarium Kit

Product Information

Getting the perfect setup may take a few tries to get right. If you see too much condensation building up on the inside and not clearing, simply remove the lid for an hour. You may also find your terrarium getting misty, but this soon clears. How come? This one-of-a-kind kit involves chia seeds, which will sprout just a few days after planting. This kids’ terrarium is so cute and magical! (Image Credit: SugarBlushStudio on Etsy).

Yes, worms can serve in a closed terrarium with the correct setup, these can be used in terrariums built from local habitats.The Drainage Layer – A foundational structure and reservoir for excess water to drain into. Sometimes, it includes an activated charcoal layer and mesh barrier. We’ve used leca in this drainage layer, it’s our go-to material.

Below is my completed terrarium. I added a small buddha which totally changes it from ‘plants in a jar’, to a scene. Clear glass container– Pretty much any closed container of uniform shape and reasonable size can work. Bigger isn’t necessarily better, but it’s certainly easier to work with. The plants will need at least 2 hours per day of sunlight, but you don’t need to add direct sunlight. My plants are thriving in a north-facing window. The glassware even has an inbuilt LED light, so you can keep your terrarium in a darker area where plants typically need grow lights. 3 | Best Mini/ Mossarium Kit Alternatively, EK Terrariums also has plenty of ready-made mossariums if you fancy skipping the DIY element altogether. 4 | Best Terrarium Kit for Older KidsEnlisting the help of beneficial terrarium bugs and microfauna (bacteria and bugs, in short) completes that final all-important nutrient cycle. Finally, for healthy plant growth (but not too much growth), I prefer to add organic matter to my substrate in the form of earthworm castings. Failing that, a diluted organic water-soluble fertilizer can be sprayed periodically. Terrarium lighting is another big one to consider. You’ll need to provide consistent, even light that satisfies the needs of your tropical understory plants but doesn’t burn them. They’re typically quite delicate, after all. Personal Touches– Once the ecosystem is in place, it’s time to create your final scene and add any last highlights. Natural or otherwise (dinosaur figurines count as natural, right?)

After all, even containers with large openings like fish tanks/fish bowls can make stunning terrariums. Once your closed glass terrarium is set up, it could last years without being opened; the one below was created in the 60s by David Latimer and was last opened in 1972!Water the terrarium by gently spraying down the sides of the jar and letting it naturally run into the soil. After all, pretty much any tropical plant can thrive in a tropical terrarium. It’s finding small terrarium plants that’ll fit in the container, have the same light requirements (and look good together) – that’s the real challenge. Isopods like woodlice and worms can thrive in a closed terrarium. They will become part of the ecosystem producing waste that will get broken down to feed the plants. Recommended add-on: a set of terrarium tools (tweezers, scissors, fork and shovel). Buy as a set and save 10%.