DIY – How to make your own terrarium in 5 easy steps

Terrariums are an easy way to bring a little green into your home. They are used as decorative pieces and come in all shapes and sizes. As well as being relatively low maintainence they are really easy to make. Here’s how to make your own terrarium.

What you’ll need

– A glass jar or pot to house your plants

– Potting soil

– Activated charcoal (about a tablespoon)

– Sand

– Gravel or small stones or pebbles

– Terrarium plants such as succulents or air plants

– Decoration pieces such as moss, pebbles, shells, figurines (optional)

There are a variety of glass containers you can use. My favourite type is a geometric shape like this one. Buy it here – Geometric Glass Terrarium*

Here are some alternatives I’ve found at different price points

Corner Cube Terrarium £12.99*

Octagon Shape Terrarium £18.99*

Dodecahedron Design Terrarium £34.00 *

How to make a terrarium

Measurements vary depending on size of container.

Step 1 – To start, mix the charcoal into the sand. Then add about a 1 inch thick layer at the bottom of your terrarium.

Step 2 – Next add a layer of small stones or pebbles on top of the sand, again about 1 inch thick.

This will help with drainage and ensure that excess water doesn’t stay in the soil and cause root rot.

Step – 3 The next stage is to add about a 2 inch layer of potting soil on top of the stones.

Step – 4 You can add your plants. Make a hole in the soil big enough for the plants roots, pop it in, then cover back around with the soil.

Think about where you want to place the plants. It’s usually best to put the biggest plant in first and usually near the back. Make sure the plants aren’t touching each other or the sides of container.

Step 5 – You can now dress your terrarium. Creating a mini landscape. You can place pebbles on top, moss, mini figurines or shells. Play around and create a look you love.

You can use tools such as spoons, tweezers, chopsticks to help you place items if you have a narrow or small container.

Lightly spray the soil with water. It should be damp but not wet. Do this every 1-2 weeks or once the soil looks like it has dried out. Display your terrarium in a room that is bright but that receives indirect sunlight.

If you are doing a closed terrarium you will need a little more charcoal and you will hardly need to water it.

More examples

Upcycled empty candle jars

Read MAKE YOUR OWN BULLET JOURNAL FOR UNDER £5