DIY Desk Terrarium
A desktop terrarium makes a pleasant addition to any office. Terrariums are small landscapes within a glass container. They take little care because they are sealed and produce their own water that gathers on the side of the container and trickles down to the soil. Care includes making sure the terrarium stays moist and pruning plants once in awhile to keep them small and contained. Fluorescent lights often produce enough light for a low-light terrarium, which will grow well in an office. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Clear glass container with lid
- Gravel
- Activated charcoal
- Sphagnum moss
- Water
- Potting soil
- Plastic spoon
- Spray bottle
Instructions
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1
Cover the bottom of a clean glass container with 1 to 3 inches gravel. Gravel allows excess water to drain.
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2
Add 1/2 inch activated charcoal. This keeps water and air clean inside the terrarium, preventing harmful bacteria.
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3
Add a thin layer of sphagnum moss to stop soil from sinking down into the drainage area.
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4
Dampen soil mix lightly with water to make it moist but not soggy.
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5
Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of potting soil consisting of peat moss, vermiculite and perlite. A small container, like a candy jar will take less soil than a large brandy snifter or fish bowl with large bottoms that hold more volume.
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6
Dig a hole in the soil with a plastic spoon that is large enough to bury most of the plant roots. Set the plants in and fill in with more soil, packing it into the soil. Do not crowd plants as they will grow larger with time, and do not let them touch the glass of the container.
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7
Use a spray bottle filled with water to mist the surface of the soil. Cover the container with a lid or piece of glass or hard plastic to seal it.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a large jar with lid, fish bowl, brandy snifter or tall candy jar. Aquariums are usually too large to set on a desk top.
Use long bamboo skewers to dig holes and move plants in containers that have long, thin necks.
Use a funnel made of paper to install drainage materials and soil.
Add wood pieces, stones or ceramic statues to liven up the landscape.
Fertilizer is not necessary because plants need to stay small to fit in the terrarium.
Use low-light plants in the terrarium if it will not be near a window. Include Chinese evergreen, Irish moss, spider plant, Swedish ivy, small ferns and ground cedar.
If condensation on the side of the container gets dense enough to obliterate a view of the plants, remove the lid for a few hours.
A layer containing too much soil tends to make the terrarium wet and muddy.
Prune back any damaged or yellowing leaves before placing plants inside the terrarium.
If there is no condensation on the sides of the glass, remove the lid and spray the soil. This helps to avoid rot and death by no water.
