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Choose a terrarium by its moisture and airflow: closed vessels suit mosses and small, humidity-loving foliage plants, while open vessels suit cacti and succulents. Use a clean, clear container, a restrained well-drained planting medium, bright indirect light, and sparing water; a container without drainage holes cannot shed excess water.
These 31 concepts are starting points, not tested recipes. Match the plants to the vessel’s conditions, leave room for growth and maintenance, and keep decorative accents secondary to plant care.
Choose a Vessel and Growing Conditions
A closed terrarium needs a sealable lid and is best for small, slow-growing plants that tolerate humidity. An open terrarium allows more airflow and is a better fit for plants that do not need a humid environment, especially succulents and cacti. Avoid placing either type in direct summer sun or near heat sources.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) recommends a terrarium about 30 cm (12 in) wide and tall as an optimum size; smaller containers limit plant choices. Wider openings make planting and ongoing care easier. Reuse a clear glass jar or other vessel after washing it thoroughly.
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- CREATE - Make your own unique terrariums from glass or containers you already have at home. This quick start kit includes a guide to help you get started and the materials needed to make healthy environments for small plants that you add yourself. Just add your own container and plants.
- VALUE - The Large Terrarium Kit includes a 4.5’’x 2.25’’ container of Moss (Reindeer Moss, Forest Moss & Lichen), 4.5’’x 5.75’’ Potting Soil Blended with Activated Charcoal, 4.5”x 2.25” Gardening Vermiculite, 4.5”x 1.75” Pea Pebbles & River Stones, 1 oz fl Plant Food, Bamboo Tongs, Natural Hair Brush, (3) Miniature Dinos, Succulent Care Guide, Build & Care Guide, and Cute Farms Sticker. Save when compared to buying individual materials.
- PREMIUM INGREDIENTS - The included Moss mix is preserved, and it will keep looking fresh without any maintenance for a long time. The beautiful bright moss colors are the perfect finishing touch to any terrarium. The Blended Potting Soil increases drainage abilities while allowing airflow, and it's a perfect mix of nutrients. Charcoal is added for its natural ability to retain nutrients. Our Fine Grade Horticultural Vermiculite soil amendment provides the right amount of water drainage.
- UNIQUE GIFT IDEA - Do you know someone who loves plants? Our Large Terrarium Kit is a perfect idea for all nature lovers. Perfect for kids, adults, family projects, team events, or as a gift idea. Whether you’re looking for a housewarming gift or just want to bring extra greenery into your home, a terrarium is an ideal present.
- USA MADE - Our terrarium kits are made and packed in the USA to ensure quality. If you don’t absolutely love our Terrarium Starter Kit we’ll refund your entire purchase amount within 30 days. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.
For a closed build, RHS describes washed gravel for drainage, enough compost for the rootballs, and peat-free multipurpose compost mixed with horticultural grit at about 4:1. Iowa State University Extension describes another approach using gravel, pebbles or perlite, a thin charcoal layer, and light, well-drained potting soil. Treat these as separate source-specific recipes, not layers that every terrarium must have.
Water sparingly because excess water stays in a vessel without drainage holes. In a closed terrarium, water cycles from soil to plants, into the air through transpiration, then condenses on the glass and returns to the soil. Iowa State University Extension notes that plants in a properly balanced closed system can go months without watering. RHS recommends bright indirect light for at least six hours a day.
31 Terrarium Ideas
1. Closed Moss Jar
Use a clean, clear jar with a sealable lid for a miniature moss landscape. Keep the medium lightly moist and place the jar in bright indirect light, away from direct summer sun.
2. Miniature Fern Woodland
Make a small, closed woodland with moss and compact ferns. Choose a vessel with enough room for the plants and an opening that lets you reach in to trim them.
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3. Nerve-Plant Color Study
Use a nerve plant, also called fittonia, as the color focus among small foliage plants. Check the plant’s mature size and give it conditions suited to its moisture needs.
4. Moss-Covered Forest Floor
Let moss form the ground cover beneath a small fern or other compact foliage plant. Keep decorative stones sparse so they do not crowd the planting area.
5. Small-Foliage Jungle
Combine a few small, slow-growing foliage plants in a closed vessel. Keep the design simple enough that leaves can be removed and plants pruned as they grow.
6. Button-Fern Feature
Make a miniature fern the focal point, with moss around its base. Vermont Extension includes button fern among miniature fern options; match the vessel and moisture to the plant’s needs.
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- COMPLETE DIY PLANTING KIT – NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED — Everything you need to pot any plant or build a self-sustaining glass ecosystem. Just follow the included step-by-step instructions — simple, intuitive, and suitable for all skill levels.
- ALL MATERIALS INCLUDED – JUST BRING YOUR CONTAINER — Kit contains: potting soil, decorative stones, sphagnum moss, activated charcoal, bamboo tweezers, bamboo spoon, and instructions — perfectly dosed for a single project. No waste, no leftovers. (Container & plant not included)
- WORKS WITH ANY PLANT OR CONTAINER — Perfect for terrariums, succulents, cacti, Fittonia, bonsai, moss or any indoor plant. Use a glass jar, vase, bowl or pot — layer the materials your way and create something unique.
- SELF-SUSTAINING OR OPEN PLANTING – YOUR CHOICE — Seal your container for a low-maintenance closed ecosystem with its own water cycle, or use it open for succulents and cacti. One kit, endless possibilities — perfect for beginners and busy plant lovers.
- BEAUTIFUL INDOOR DECORATION & PERFECT GIFT — A stylish addition to any home, living room, or office desk. Makes a unique and creative gift for plant lovers, nature enthusiasts, and kids of all ages.
7. Maidenhair-Fern Detail
Use a maidenhair fern as a delicate woodland accent. Plan to monitor its moisture and trim it if it begins to outgrow the miniature landscape.
8. Open Succulent Landscape
Arrange cacti or succulents in an open-topped vessel with airflow. Use a well-drained medium and water sparingly; do not treat the arrangement like a humid, closed moss garden.
9. Cactus and Stone Study
Keep the planting open and use a few stones as a visual accent around cacti. Make sure decorative material does not crowd the plants or obstruct access for care.
10. Compact Snake-Plant Specimen
Try a compact snake-plant cultivar as a single specimen in a vessel that allows room for growth. RHS lists a compact cultivar among its suggestions, but not every cultivar fits every container.
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Use a compact ti-plant cultivar as a foliage feature. Check its eventual size before choosing a vessel, and do not assume every cultivar will remain miniature.
12. Reused Pickle Jar Garden
Wash and reuse a clear pickle jar for a small closed planting. A wide opening makes arranging plants and cleaning easier than a narrow-neck container.
13. Storage-Jar Woodland
Turn a clean clear storage jar into a moss-and-foliage scene. If using it as a closed terrarium, ensure it has a lid that can seal.
14. Wide-Opening Beginner Garden
Choose a wide-opening vessel for easier planting and maintenance. Add a small number of compatible plants rather than filling the container tightly.
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- All-in-one Diy Terrarium Starter Kit: Get the core materials, tools and step-by-step guide needed to start your terrarium project in one box. Includes potting soil, pumice, zeolite, green moss, sphagnum moss, decorative stone, mesh and care tools. Designed for approximately 5–7 inch terrarium jars or containers, depending on container shape and layer thickness. Plants and glass container are not included.
- Beginner-friendly, Layer-by-layer Guide: New to terrariums? Follow the included guide to arrange the drainage substrate, mesh, potting mix, moss and decorative materials step by step. Each layer has a clear purpose, helping first-time builders create an organized terrarium setup with less guesswork.
- Purposeful Materials For Each Layer: Pumice and zeolite create the lower substrate layer, mesh helps separate the potting mix above it, while moss and decorative stone add natural texture and finishing detail. Adjust the amount of each material based on the size, shape and desired layer thickness of your container.
- Made Primarily For Open Terrariums: Designed primarily for open terrarium projects such as succulent, air plant and miniature garden displays. Choose plants with similar light and moisture needs and follow the included care guide for watering. Different plants may require different materials and care routines, so adjust your setup to match the plants you choose.
- A Relaxing & Creative Diy Project: Turn an empty glass container into your own miniature landscape and customize the layers, plants and decorative finish to match your style. The hands-on building experience makes this DIY succulent terrarium kit a relaxing activity for beginners, nature lovers, families and friends, and a thoughtful DIY gift for special occasions.
15. Miniature Jungle in Glass
Combine moss with small, slow-growing foliage plants for a closed jungle look. Keep the composition low enough to inspect and prune through the opening.
16. Fern-and-Moss Pairing
Use a small fern and moss as the entire planting scheme. This restrained pairing leaves space for the plants to grow and makes dead leaves easier to spot.
17. Nerve Plant and Moss
Pair a nerve plant with moss in a humidity-tolerant closed design. Monitor the plant’s growth and trim it before it crowds the glass.
18. Pebble-Accented Woodland
Add a few pebbles to a moss and foliage planting as a subtle landscape detail. Keep the nonliving accents secondary to plant room and access.
19. Shell-Accented Open Garden
Use a shell or two as decoration in an open arrangement with plants suited to lower humidity. Keep the vessel open and the growing medium well drained.
20. Small-Figure Landscape
Add a small figure to a miniature landscape only where it does not crowd the plants. Iowa State University Extension and other extension guidance list small figures as possible accents.
21. Stone-Ridge Scene
Build a simple visual ridge with stones in an open or closed design, depending on the plants chosen. Secure the layout and preserve room for roots and foliage.
22. Moss as the Main Feature
Let moss be the star of a closed terrarium rather than treating it only as ground cover. Keep the arrangement accessible so you can remove debris and adjust moisture.
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- COMPLETE DIY TERRARIUM KIT – NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED — Everything you need to build your own self-sustaining glass ecosystem, all in one box. Just follow the included step-by-step instructions — simple, intuitive, and suitable for all skill levels.
- BEAUTIFUL INDOOR DECORATION & PERFECT GIFT — A stylish accent piece for your home, living room, or office desk. Makes a unique and creative gift for plant lovers, nature enthusiasts, and kids of all ages.
- ALL MATERIALS INCLUDED – NOTHING TO BUY SEPARATELY — Kit contains: glass jar with cork lid (34 fl oz / 1L), coconut soil, decorative stones, sphagnum moss, activated charcoal, bamboo tweezers, bamboo spoon, and cultivation instructions — all pre-measured to fit the included jar perfectly. (Plant not included)
- FULLY CUSTOMIZABLE – CREATE YOUR OWN ECOSYSTEM — Choose the plant you love and design your own unique miniature garden. Best suited for: Fittonia, mini Fern, Tillandsia (air plant), or Moss. Layer the materials your way and make it truly yours.
- SELF-SUSTAINING CLOSED ECOSYSTEM — Once sealed, the terrarium creates its own water cycle through condensation and evaporation, requiring minimal watering. A living decoration that takes care of itself — perfect for beginners and busy plant lovers.
23. Compact Foliage Specimen
Choose one small, slow-growing foliage plant for a simple single-specimen display. Select the vessel only after checking the plant’s mature size and growing conditions.
24. Miniature Bottle Garden
Use a clear bottle-shaped vessel for a small closed garden if its opening still allows planting and maintenance. Narrow-neck designs may require improvised long-handled tools.
25. Open Succulent Grouping
Arrange a few compatible succulents in an open container with space between them. Place the vessel in bright indirect light and avoid excess water.
26. Cactus and Succulent Contrast
Create a dry-looking landscape with cacti and succulents in an open vessel. Choose plants with compatible care needs rather than mixing them solely for appearance.
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Use a gentle change in planting height to suggest foreground and background. Keep soil, stones, and plants arranged so the planting remains accessible.
28. Clear Jar Planting Trio
Set up several small clear jars, each with a simple planting suited to its own conditions. Reused jars are a practical option; wash them before use and give each design suitable access.
29. Seasonal Woodland Display
Use moss and small foliage plants to create a woodland scene that can be trimmed as it matures. Remove dead leaves promptly to reduce mould risk.
30. Minimalist Open Specimen
Display one cactus or succulent in an open vessel for a spare, sculptural look. Keep it in bright indirect light and water sparingly.
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31. Mixed-Scale Glass Garden
Group vessels of different shapes, using closed designs for humidity-loving plants and open ones for succulents or cacti. Keep the conditions distinct rather than combining incompatible plants under one lid.
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- Wash the clear container and choose an open or closed design based on the plants’ moisture needs.
- Add a restrained drainage layer and a suitable, well-drained planting medium. Follow one appropriate construction approach rather than assuming every optional layer is required.
- Arrange plants with room for growth, then add only a few decorative accents if desired.
- Place the terrarium in bright indirect light, away from direct summer sun and heat sources.
- Water sparingly. In a closed terrarium, watch condensation: RHS says no condensation may signal a need for water, while persistently excessive condensation is a reason to briefly open the lid, as Vermont Extension advises.
- Remove dead leaves promptly and trim or remove plants that outgrow the miniature landscape.
For narrow openings, RHS suggests improvised tools such as chopsticks, a spoon tied to a cane, or barbecue tongs; Vermont Extension also lists long-handled spoons, dowels, chopsticks, and tongs. Purchased tools are optional.
Terrariums are miniature displays, not necessarily permanent homes for plants. Mississippi State University Extension Service says a terrarium typically has a display life of no more than one or two years as plants mature and may outgrow it; actual results depend on the plants and conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What plants can I put in a closed terrarium?
Choose small, slow-growing plants that tolerate humidity, such as mosses, miniature ferns, and small foliage plants. Match the selection to the space and conditions in the vessel.
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Can I put succulents in a closed terrarium?
Closed terrariums retain humidity, while succulents and cacti are better suited to open vessels with airflow. Keep those plant groups separate from a humid closed design.
How do I make a terrarium at home?
Wash a clear container, decide whether it will be open or closed, add a restrained drainage layer and suitable well-drained medium, then arrange compatible plants with room to grow. Place it in bright indirect light and water sparingly.
How much light does a terrarium need?
The Royal Horticultural Society recommends at least six hours of bright, indirect light a day. Keep terrariums out of direct summer sun and away from heat sources.
How often should I water a closed terrarium?
Water sparingly and use condensation as a cue rather than following a fixed schedule. RHS says a closed or narrow-neck vessel usually needs only small waterings a few times a year; a properly balanced closed system may go months without watering, according to Iowa State University Extension.
How do I prevent mould in a terrarium?
Remove dead leaves promptly, avoid excess water, and briefly open a closed vessel if condensation remains excessive. Trim plants that crowd the miniature landscape.
How long does a terrarium last?
It depends on plant growth and care. Mississippi State University Extension Service gives a typical display life of no more than one or two years as plants mature and may outgrow the space; this is a general expectation, not a guarantee.
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