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How To Make A Terrarium

As a bunch of you saw on Facebook and Instagram, we went on a giant lumber run, which means there’s a whole lotta building that’s about to commence in the nursery. But first we have to paint the walls and ceiling, so we hope to knock that out today and tomorrow (and have an update for you guys on Monday). Three cheers for finally saying goodbye to those door-overspray marks on the wall!

Nursery

And while we get our paint on, I thought I’d share a nice and easy “anyone-can-do-it” project (involving living things, ahh!). Most importantly: there’s a tiny deer living in a tiny glass house in our house.

Terrarium2

And the good news is that he can’t die… but the plants nearby most definitely can.

Terrarium1

So this is going to be one of those experiments to see if low maintenance plants really exist. Because we all know I don’t exactly have a green thumb. Remember when I begged you to help me keep my cacti alive? Well the good news is that they’re all still alive and kicking, over two months later.

Wanna know how I’m keeping them alive? By completely ignoring them. 100%. I’ve only watered them once. In TWO MONTHS! Everyone told me just to give them a drop when the soil feels really dry, so I have truly taken that to heart. And they love me for it. Well, at least they don’t hate me (and aren’t dying in protest). Some of you even noticed them still alive and kicking in last week’s chair post. Werk, little cacti. Werk.

Gold Clara Close

So now that I’ve had a decent amount of success with that completely no-maintenance planting experience, as you can imagine I practically think I’m a top level botanist. Just kidding, I still have pretty much zero plant confidence (see those succulents on the shelf in the background of this pic? They’re fake from HomeGoods). But it did inspire me to try one more “it theoretically should take care of itself” situation on for size. Namely, a terrarium.

It all started when I found this awesome glass container at a lighting shop a few weeks back (The Decorating Outlet here in Richmond). The cool thing is that they usually sell this as a light fixture like this, but this one wasn’t drilled to accommodate a light for some reason, so it was marked down to $16. It just sort of whispered “Fill me with a few green things and a tiny plastic deer. You know you want to.” So I thought, OK, let’s see if this black thumb of mine can create (and hopefully maintain) a terrarium. Like without any actual maintenance.

Terrarium3

Here’s how I made it.

Step 1. Cut a hole in a box. Just kidding. The first step was actually finding a glass container that I liked (you could also try a big glass container like this or an apothecary jar like this). UPDATE: Shades of Light actually sells this exact piece as a terrarium now!

Step 2. I googled around and read about 20 terrarium tutorials. There were a lot of different methods, but the ones with charcoal – like this one – seemed the most self-stable (meaning you didn’t have to open them and water them, because the charcoal theoretically should make them into their own little self-sustainable ecosystem).

Step 3. I wrote out a list of supplies I would need: gravel, charcoal, potting soil, and some small plants. I ducked out into the garage to get some bagged potting soil, and just stole some gravel from our driveway to fulfill that requirement. Then I went to Home Depot and grabbed two small succulent containers for around $5 and looked for charcoal (some plant stores sell it) but no dice. So I hit up a local greenhouse (Great Big Greenhouse here in Richmond) and got a tiny bag of charcoal for $1.

Terrarium Materials

Step 4. I added about an inch of gravel to the bottom of the container.

Rocks Step

Step 5. I added about an inch of charcoal on top of my gravel layer.

Charcoal Step

Step 6. I added 2-3 inches of potting soil on top of the charcoal layer.

Dirt Step

Step 7. In went my plants into the potting soil…

Planting Step

Step 8. And then just for fun, I grabbed Bambi’s nephew Bob and stuck him in there.

Terrarium2

Step 9. I gently misted the plants with water (ok, I dunked my hand in a bowl of it and splashed the inside of the terrarium a few times) and then I sealed everything up and called it good.

Terrarium Done Hero

So far it has been over a week and my little guys have been troopers. No drooping (they actually look a little happier than they were in their plastic Home Depot containers) but not a whole lot of action either (there hasn’t been a ton of Titanic-esque glass-fogging or anything like that). The jury is still out on whether this will end up being a cold and lonely tomb for them to leave this world, or a happy little place for them to hang out. I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime I’d love any and all terrarium tips since you guys did me right with those cacti.

Update: Hilariously enough, thanks to my Instagram feed I learned that Michael over at Inspired by Charm made a similar terrarium from a RedEnvelope kit for $79 yesterday! So you can check his out as a ready-to-assemble alternative. Also, his photos are amazing, and his dome is blinged out in gold. Me-ow.

Comments

  2. Chelsea says

    So cute! I love the little deer. I might have to attempt one of these. I had a jade plant for almost a year before I killed it, longest life I’ve ever given a plant!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha! I promise we’ll share the details with photos as soon as we can (descriptions of paint colors without pictures are like a cookbook with no food photos). Haven’t even cracked the can yet, so I hope we like it…

      xo
      s

  6. Lauryn says

    Love the container you found. Just a thought, you could try painting the deer gold or bright color for a fun pop of color – know how much you love a ceramic animal! :)

    I made a mini terrarium (for the first time) over the weekend as well – definitely a week for terrariums! Mine is here: http://instagram.com/p/jZwcQDv–w/
    (they are being used as place cards/favors for a wedding)

    Can’t wait to see the nursery evolve!

    Reply

    • Lauryn says

      PS: I also discovered you can get colored aquarium pebbles from a pet supply store to use for the terrarium to have fun with color, and they are cheap!

    • Lauryn says

      Wow, thank you!!

      @Amanda – I used liquid gold leaf and a small paintbrush to paint gild each leaf (small jar found at Michaels craft store). The container is from CB2 and it sits on a bed of shimmer white aquarium rocks from the pet store. You can spray paint it too if you are doing a lot of them, but I liked the look of liquid gold more.

      I talked to a florist today and he said that gilded succulents will actually live and grow like that, I was worried it might kill it!

  9. Anne @ Planting Sequoias says

    I just found a little treasure chest at a thrift store that’s the same style as your terrarium (soldered, or something?) that I totally want to plant a terrarium in! I’m nervous, though, since the last two terrariums I planted BOMBED. But that was almost a year ago, and I’ve matured since then, right?…

    Reply

    • Cara says

      Try the charcoal (available at any good aquarium store) and don’t open it up unless it becomes very apparent you need to water it. Oh, and make sure its in the right light for your plants, though succulents are very forgiving. If you hit the right balance, it will be a self-sustaining Eco system and you won’t water it ever. You can do it!

  10. shelikestotravel says

    Here’s my advice for plants enclosed in a terrarium… Don’t water. The enclosure keeps the air humid and with your plants that should be enough water to keep them going. You may evem want to open the container door from time to time.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We can’t wait to share the paint color details with photos as soon as we can (descriptions of paint without pictures = blah). Haven’t even cracked the can yet, so I hope we like it!

      xo
      s

  12. Lisa says

    Love this! I’ve killed too many plants to count, yes, even a succulent. But maybe I’ll give it a go one more time. Nothing like splashes of greenery throughout the house! :)) SO excited about the nursery!

    Reply

  13. natasha says

    Love Terrariums. Just a tip–I can’t really tell if you have a closed or open terrarium cause of the glass (it looks closed?) but succulents don’t have a high humidity tolerance – most succulents or desert plants aren’t good choices for closed terrariums. So if you want to keep it alive, i would open it up!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Natasha! There are little cracks around the whole thing (I think light bulbs need to have a bit of ventilation too) so I think that might be why it doesn’t steam up and get super foggy in there. Will open it up for good measure when I remember, too!

      xo
      s

    • LeAnna says

      Also, succulents like light so keep them near a bright window, otherwise they will get quite “leggy” trying to reach for more sunlight.
      The terrarium is so fun, I love anything that makes me feel like I am peering into a miniature little world!

  16. Jessica @ GG&G says

    Between “Step 1” and “Titanic-esque fog”: BAHAHAHAHAHA so funny. Cute terrarium! My succulents aren’t thriving, but they’re in planters, not a terrarium…maybe it’s time to try one! :) Good luck with the nursery!

    Reply

  17. betty says

    I bought that light fixture at decorating outlet a few months ago! I went in last week and they had 2 more, with lights, tho! love that fixture!! i’d love to attempt to do this.. I kill cacti tho.. so i’m afraid.

    Reply

  18. Sara says

    Please tell me that Clara said “Oh dear, can he breathe?” when she saw Bob in the terrarium. I LOVE that container. I may have to order the Red Envelope kit….Great job!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha! That’s John’s idea of a joke. Clara was talking about how deer eat apples and worms eat apples and were there any apples or worms we could add. It was hilarious!

      xo
      s

  20. tess says

    yougrowgirl website had a good post about jade plants recently, succulents tend to rot from the inside out if over watered, so if they start to look droopy, try starting a new plant from a leaf cutting, good luck, very cute project

    Reply

  21. heather says

    i love this! i’ve been considering a terrarium for almost a year but have been afraid to pull the trigger bc of my black thumb. i’ve even killed bamboo! i wanted to have one in my bathroom but no natural light and the humidity i think would make it a bad idea, right? anyone know if there’s anything i can put in a non windowed bathroom?

    Reply

    • Logan says

      Heather – Try a snake plant/mother-in-law’s tongue. (Don’t you love the name!) I teach Kindergarten in a class room with no windows, and mine has survived from August-now, looking exactly the same as the day I brought it in. The kiddos remind me to water it a few times a month.

    • Jenna says

      I’ve had bamboo in our windowless bathroom for 3 years now and it’s doing great. I got two of the shoots from Ikea, put pebbles in the container, filled it with water, and good to go! Good luck!

    • heather says

      thanks for the tips everyone! i’m going to check those out! (though not the bamboo since i have a bad history with it and i’m not a huge fan of the look). i’ve been wanting something green in there forever!

  22. cheri s in iowa says

    In reference to the lumber, have you checked out the Kreg Shelf Pin Jig? One found it’s way into my 14% off Menards bag last night. Can’t decide what to do first!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw thanks Virginia! We also post on Young House Life as well as on Instagram and Facebook, so those are other ways to keep up with us. It can be fun to surf around Forums too, just to read what other people are up to in their own homes :)

      xo
      s

    • Sandra T says

      I agree that I still miss your ‘ole 2 posts a day, too! Although I completely understand why you can’t do them anymore. Real life comes first! Let’s face it, you guys spoiled us, and we didn’t even know it. :)

  24. Alli says

    I have been dying to make a terrarium for our house. I am really itching to have some greenery, but with two cats, that’s a no go for any exposed leaves. My husband bought me flowers a few years ago and one of our cats ended up playing with them and getting pollen all over his paws. I freaked out when I got home because our black and white cat had yellow paws! It took me a few minutes (when I found leaves all over the counter) to realize what happened. I think enclosed and on a shelf may be the way to go for us!

    Reply

  25. Nancy says

    It’s so funny how things go in cycles. These were really popular when I was a kid. Takes me back down memory lane… Yeah, I’m officially old now.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh man, you had a cool childhood. Chia Pets were cool when I was a kid. And Tamagachis. My mom had a pet rock though, and I always thought that was amazing.

      xo
      s

  26. Kaesey says

    Cute! I think I’d add that the right light makes a big difference. We have a large terrarium that I just moved to a sunnier window and my plants are thrilled. Oh, and not having them next to a radiator helps…. (doh).

    Ok, can I share something? I finally got my hall lighting up! Woo! It only took a (cough) few months. I thought of you guys as I finished up the job, too. (You know, as in, “How do they do this every week? And do their arms hurt after spending an hour with a screwdriver held up over their heads too?”) Still needs art and rugs, but there is light!

    http://kaesey.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/fresh-start/

    Reply

  27. Hannah says

    I was going along, merrily reading this tutorial when “Step 1. Cut a hole in a box,” happened. I spit water out all over my keyboard. Thanks for that :)

    Reply

  28. Lydia K says

    I have a little window sill gang of succulents – and I’m having so/so luck with them. One of them (I think it’s this kind: https://www.simplysucculents.com/online-store/products/676) has done really well, I’ve had it for nearly two years, and it just wants a good 1/4 cup water about once a month. Its size is nice, too – it gets bigger but not taller. I am afraid it’s going to crack its own pot soon, I need to replant it.

    Then I got cocky. I tried some different types that all started out cute and short in their little ceramic Lowes containers – but then they’ve gotten tall and one is so tall it won’t stand on its own, I have to lean it against the window. They also don’t seem to need the same care as my long-lived first one, which is annoying.

    The bad news is, I think I recognize one of the unruly ones in your arrangement – the one front and center in the last image :/ I hope you have better luck – but be ware that a couple of them might outgrow that container fast. Good luck!!!

    Reply

  29. Hillary says

    Just a question… I’ve noticed that you’ve dropped down to one post every day. Will this be a permanent schedule or just until the showhouse is done? I remember seeing something about reduced volume due to the showhouse but I was just wondering if you plan to make this a permanent change a la your goal of better work/life balance?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We’re not really sure about this since when the showhouse opens we’ll have a two-week old baby (so one job might be replaced with another one – haha!). We’re just planning to play it by ear and see how it goes (depends on what kind of baby we get, how book #2 stuff is going, etc). Will keep you guys posted though!

      xo
      s

    • schmei says

      I know you’ve been downplaying it, Sherry, but I just want to note that I am 100% impressed that you’re doing anything, let alone posting every weekday AND doing your zillion other projects, while you’re rocking a season pass on the Baby-Growing Barf Barge. One post a day is A-OK. (Hey, that kind of rhymes… it could be a motto or something)

  30. Hannah K. says

    When I first read the title and saw a picture of the nursery, my mind went crazy with ideas that y’all were planning some type of caving dwelling around the crib or bubble baby inclosure… I’m happy Bob and not Barnacle was whose breathing you were referring to.

    Reply

  31. cheri s in iowa says

    In reference to the lumber, have you checked out the Kreg Shelf Pin Jig? One found it’s way into my 14% off Menards bag last night! Trying to decide what to try first, as soon as I’m finished whispering sweet nothings to it.

    Reply

  32. Sarah J. says

    so cute! but i hate to say, be prepared if it fails. :( succulents are hot and dry lovers, and terrariums keep the moisture in. bad combo. those little buddies need a lot more air circulation then they are going to get in there. however, if they don’t make it, maybe try some baby ferns or begonias. they love terrariums!

    Reply

    • Jessica says

      I was going to add the same comment regarding the type of plants used. I’ve been making terrariums since I was a kid. I’ve gotten more sophisticated in building them after purchasing a book from Twig Terrariums. Most of the terrariums I make these days include different varieties of moss, a tiny fern, and a tiny animal (of corse!). You can collect these from your own backyard. Just be careful not to take all of the moss from a particular area (don’t want to disrupt the entire ecosystem).

  33. Tania @ Run To Radiance says

    I killed cactus :( and succulents :( and my tomato vine. :( I thought those were all impossible to kill! Lol. Black thumb for sure. Maybe I should give this a try- i got this super cute tabletop greenhouse from Ikea last night- I almost bought the plastic plants and I thought “NO! I can DO this plant thing”.

    I’m scarrrredddd. :P

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, sorry Alison! We’ve learned that it’s really hard to convey a paint color in words (what’s that about pictures being worth 10,000 of them?) and after all the work of painting, it’s sort of a yawn to reveal it on Monday if we chatted all about it before we even cracked the can open :)

      xo
      s

  36. Donna says

    It just sort of whispered “Fill me with a few green things and a tiny plastic deer. You know you want to.”

    So cute. Thanks for the happy laugh this morning! :)

    P.S. Uh, I am an older reader, so I am not getting the “Cut a hole in the box” reference. Would someone kindly clue me in?

    Reply

  37. Barbara says

    I just have to tell you that I reached a state of analysis paralysis with kitchen colors, so I just decided to go with yours. Thanks for that! Hee. They look great.

    Reply

  39. ~Maria~ says

    I’ve made plenty of these (although none had a container as pretty as yours) both with lids and w/out. They all looked nice for a few weeks then started to die even with misting and watering. I’ve used containers with lids, and w/out, direct and indirect sunlight. What’s the secret to their success? PS: I went to a nursey and told them exactly what I was doing and they picked out the appropriate plants.

    Reply

  43. Madeline K. says

    I wasn’t sure about the terrarium craze when it started but my mom got really into it. She made an awesome one for me for Christmas that looks like a scene out of Jurassic Park (I am kind of obsessed with dinosaurs. Totally normal for a 28 year old, right?)

    So I love the little deer you put in yours, it makes it more fun than just moss and rocks!

    Reply

  44. Jamie P-M says

    I am obsessed with succulents and cacti! You should try a jade. They take about as much effort as a cactus. I bought a small one from Ikea in a pot about 4 inches in diameter and 6 inches tall and it was grown to about 6 times the size! It takes almost no effort to keep it alive- just water it once or twice a month and don’t put it outside in direct sunlight.

    Reply

  45. Katie B. says

    I like to ignore plants, too. My husband’s grandmother was at our house over the weekend and noticed I had dead leaves on my peace lily. She berated me for not taking care of them… I explained to her that I like to let my plants get to near-death and then magically restore them to life by watering them and trimming off dead parts! She proceeded to clean out the dead leaves for me… haha! But, that doesn’t always work with succulents. I actually OVER-watered the few we had a couple of years ago by doing the ignore them thing. Turns out they really don’t need that much water after all…

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      You’re hilarious. I love the “near-death and then magically restoring them to life” thing. A friend of mine is famous for buying half-dead plants at nurseries on clearance and then bringing them back from the brink.

      xo
      s

  46. Rita says

    I love this project. I need to go to Goodwill, find a container, and do something similar. And I have been thinking about the charcoal issue.Since it’s the filtering kind, I thought that I could just use the charcoal that comes in a Brita filter after I am done using the filter. That way, I recyle the thing, and I can put the plastic container of the filter in a recycling bin.

    Looking forward to seeing how it will progress and good luck with the new baby!

    Reply

  47. Kate S. says

    I’ve had little terrariums with succulents (open top) for a few years and all I’ve learned is that they do much better in a sunny spot. My favorite spot to put them results in them becoming leggy and ‘stretching’ for the sun, then dying. Honestly, though, replacing them every 3-4 months at only $2.50 each for three just didn’t bother me! I moved them to a sunny kitchen window and haven’t replaced them in over a year now.

    Reply

  48. Micalla says

    My secret to succulents never dying is buying (high end – real looking) succulents (Hobby Lobby has a great selection!) and burying them under moss in a terrarium! I can handle THAT kind of plant care ;)

    Reply

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