How to Create Your First Terrarium

A Short Guide to Building Miniature Enclosed Ecosystems

A peak inside some of my terrariums.

I have always been fascinated by small ecosystems. There is something strangely satisfying about taking a glass container, adding a few plants, some moss and soil, then watching the whole thing slowly develop into its own little world.

Terrariums are also surprisingly easy to build. You do not need expensive equipment, rare plants or much experience with gardening. In fact, one of the things I like most about them is how much room there is for experimentation. Every terrarium I build ends up looking and behaving slightly differently.

In this article, I will walk you through how I build my enclosed terrariums, from preparing the soil to choosing the plants and finally putting everything together.

What is a Terrarium

My biggest terrarium so far.

A terrarium is essentially a miniature garden built inside a glass container. They can be completely open, partially enclosed, or, my personal favourite, almost completely sealed.

Closed terrariums are particularly interesting because they behave like tiny ecosystems. Plants…