A succulent terrarium can be a striking home-decor feature, but it should be designed for the plants’ needs: choose an open glass vessel, use fast-draining succulent mix, and avoid standing water. For dependable drainage, plant in small pots with drainage holes and set them inside the display vessel; a gravel layer in a sealed container does not do the same job.
Choose an open vessel for succulents
An open bowl or wide-mouth glass vessel gives succulents more airflow and makes arranging and caring for them easier. Open terrariums suit succulents and other dry-loving plants; closed containers retain humidity and are generally better suited to tropical plants, according to UF/IFAS Extension.
Succulents generally need a way for excess water to escape. Iowa State University Extension cautions that a layer of coarse gravel under the soil does not replace a drainage hole. If the uninterrupted glass look matters more than planting directly into the vessel, use it as an outer display for removable nursery pots with drainage holes. Water those pots separately, let them drain, then return them to the display.
Pick plants that belong together
Choose compact plants with similar light and moisture needs, and check their mature size before buying. Iowa State recommends matching terrarium plants by soil-moisture and light requirements. For a balanced composition, combine forms rather than crowding in many plants:
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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.
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- Upright: a small focal plant that gives the arrangement height.
- Intermediate: a lower, spreading form to fill space around the focal plant.
- Trailing: a compact plant that can soften the edge of the bowl, if the vessel has room.
Keep the number of plants in proportion to the container so each has space. Oregon State Extension horticulturist Brooke Edmunds advises: “You don’t want plants to grow too big and out of the terrarium too fast, so get very small ones and don’t fertilize too much.” Her guidance appears in Oregon State’s terrarium advice.
Use fast-draining mix and optional accents
Use cactus and succulent potting mix, or another medium intended to drain quickly. The UC Agriculture and Natural Resources terrarium handout includes cactus mix among its materials, and Iowa State also recommends commercial cactus and succulent mixes for indoor growers.
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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.
River rocks or a small garden ornament can finish the design, but they are styling choices—not drainage or plant-care necessities. Do not rely on gravel at the bottom to make a vessel without an outlet suitable for succulents.
Assemble the display
- Clean the glass. Start with a clean, dry vessel with a wide opening.
- Add a modest amount of mix. Use enough to position the plants, while keeping their crowns above the soil rather than burying them.
- Arrange before filling in. Set the upright plant first, then place lower or trailing forms around it. Leave visible space between plants and room for access.
- Settle the plants gently. Add mix around their roots without packing it tightly against the crowns.
- Add optional decoration. Place stones or a small ornament where it does not crowd the plants.
If using removable inner pots, keep each plant in its own draining pot and arrange the pots inside the glass vessel. The outer vessel can create a unified display without trapping runoff around the roots.
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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.
Water sparingly and watch the mix
Water only when the mix has dried sufficiently for the plants and conditions; do not leave water pooled in the vessel or inner display. The UC ANR handout gives watering every 2–3 weeks as its instruction, but that is not a universal schedule. The interval varies with the vessel, mix, light, temperature, and how quickly the soil dries. If the setup has no drainage outlet, take removable pots out to water and let them drain fully before returning them.
Quick Recap
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- COMPLETE DIY TERRARIUM KIT — Create your own miniature botanical display with a coordinated set of materials and tools in one kit. The glass globe, live moss, layering materials, decorative pieces and mini tools give you the essentials to build and personalize your terrarium from the ground up
- REAL LIVE MOSS INCLUDED — Unlike kits built only around decorative or artificial materials, this terrarium set includes real live moss to bring natural texture and color into your finished arrangement. Follow the included care guidance to help the moss recover after shipping and maintain it as part of your terrarium.
- LAYER, BUILD & PERSONALIZE — Arrange the included substrates, sand, gravel, moss and decorative accents to create depth, texture and your own miniature landscape. Mini tools help with placing and adjusting smaller details, making the building process part of the experience rather than simply displaying a finished product.
- GLASS GLOBE DISPLAY — The clear glass globe keeps the miniature arrangement visible from multiple angles, while the coordinated wood base and metal frame create a finished display for desks, shelves, tables and other indoor spaces. The compact design turns the completed terrarium into part of your decor.
- STAND OR HANG — Display the finished terrarium on its wood base or use the included hanging rope for another presentation option. The flexible format makes it easy to incorporate the finished piece into a desk, shelf, tabletop or other indoor display area.
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- Premium Terrarium Supplies, MADE IN THE USA, Our starter kits Have The Key Ingredients to get you going.
- Soil - Our bioactive soil is THE BEST. MADE IN USA. IT’s full of composted pine bark. This is the cadillac of plant food. Full of bioactive life. This helps soil and roots remain healthy. Imported Soils are STERILIZED. Perfect Succulent Soil.PH balanced.
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- Great for adult terrariums, or snail terrariums. Our soils have no additives. Just full of hearty natural ingredients.
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Open bowl or closed glass look?
| Design choice | What it offers | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Open bowl, planted with drainage | Airflow and easier access for arranging and care. | Choose a fast-draining mix and a container with drainage holes for conventional succulent care. |
| Closed vessel | A contained glass display that retains humidity. | Humidity makes it a less suitable environment for succulents; closed terrariums are better suited to tropical plants. |
| Glass outer vessel with removable inner pots | A continuous glass display while preserving the ability to remove and drain plants. | Take pots out for watering and drainage so runoff does not remain in the outer vessel. |
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