How to Grow a Cactus in a Terrarium
Every plant enthusiast has at one point wanted to move a bit of the outdoors inside. Whether your plant preference leans toward foliage plants, exotic plants, carnivorous plants or even cacti, you can grow them in a tightly controlled environment using a terrarium. By strict definition, a terrarium is a closed container, but many open-topped terrariums are in vogue today. These are the terrariums best suited to growing one or more cacti. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Open-topped clear container, sized appropriately
- Pebbles
- Activated charcoal
- Sphagnum Moss
- Sterilized potting soil
- Sterilized sand
- Cactus
- Cool white florescent lighting
- Hygrometer, optional
Instructions
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Place a layer of pebbles at least 1/2-inch deep on the bottom of the terrarium. Layer activated charcoal in a second layer 1/2-inch deep above the pebbles. Top these layers with sphagnum moss to prevent the soil layer from penetrating this drainage layer.
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Mix one part potting soil to one part sand. Measure the depth of the cactus's root ball and fill the terrarium at least 1/2-inch higher than this figure. Plant the cactus so the terrarium's soil is even with the crown of the plant.
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Water the terrarium until it is just moist. Grab a small handful of the moistened soil and squeeze it, if it still falls apart, you've watered it enough. Place a hygrometer in one corner of the container and check it regularly -- proper humidity for cacti is between 10 and 30 percent. Withhold water until the humidity inside the terrarium is extremely low, only water a very little bit at a time. Hang the cool florescent light just above the terrarium and leave it on for at least 12 hours each day.
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Tips & Warnings
In some areas, it may be difficult to maintain low enough humidity inside a glass container. If this is the case, move your cactus to a dish or risk killing it.
