How to Make Easy Terrariums to Give as Gifts

Terrariums are easy and inexpensive to assemble and make unique and memorable gifts. Choose hardy, moisture loving plants for the terrarium and the gift will be enjoyed for years to come. You don't have to have a green thumb to put one of these little plant habitats together. Find interesting and inexpensive glass containers with open tops at antique shops or thrift stores to use as planters. Create the terrarium, add a pretty bow around the container, and have a gift for almost any occasion. Read on to learn how to make easy terrariums to give as gifts.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Interesting or unusual glass containers
• Small pebbles
• Sphagnum moss (found dried at most plant nursuries)
• Potting soil
• Plants
• Interesting rocks or pebbles
• Wired decorator ribbon

1. Put a 1 to 2 inch layer of aquarium gravel or pebbles in the bottom of your container.

2. Put a layer of Sphagnum moss on top of the gravel in the terrarium.

3. Pour potting soil over the moss. Add enough soil to hold your chosen plant and give it plenty of room for root growth.

4. Plant your chosen plant or plants in the terrarium. Pat the soil firmly around the plant and water until the soil is moist. Add interesting rocks, broken pottery, pebbles, bits of colored glass or shells around the plant to add interest to the terrarium.

5. Use beautiful wired ribbon to tie a bow around the terrarium. If desired, attach a small card to the gift with plant names and their care instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• Terrariums are moist environments. Choose plants that like moisture and humidity. Ask for advice on plant selection at greenhouses or nurseries.
• Keep the soil moist, but not overly moist. It is better to under-water than over-water.