How to Create a Cool Woodland Terarium

A terrarium is an ideal way to recreate an environment in your home.

A terrarium is an ideal way to bring a section of the environment into your home---terrariums are viewable terrestrial ecosystems created in a small space, such as an aquarium, for land creatures. Terrariums can also be a stepping stone for kids who want pets or fish, but may not be ready to care for an animal that requires more attention. Cool woodland terrariums are easy to build, require little maintenance and can be easily adapted or enhanced with small animals after they have been built.

Things You'll Need

• Glass aquarium
• Cover
• Rocks
• Dirt
• Cheesecloth
• Small plants

Instructions

1. Cover the bottom of your aquarium with small, clean rocks to a depth of about 1 inch. Cover the rocks with cheesecloth. This will help drain the soil and prevent it from becoming too moist, as well as providing additional structure for the roots of the plants.

2. Cover the cheesecloth with 2 to 3 inches of dirt or potting soil, preferably commercially purchased, as yard dirt tends to clump together and will not spread as uniformly.

3. Arrange your plants and flowers inside the terrarium so that they are all easily visible. Place larger, taller plants in the back of your terrarium so that they do not block the view of the smaller plants. Poke the roots down deep into the dirt so that they can easily stay upright.

4. Add larger stones or pieces of wood for additional landscaping. Sprinkle the interior of the terrarium with water until the surface is slightly damp. Cover the terrarium and place it in an area of partial sunlight.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose plants that will not quickly outgrow your terrarium. Smaller plants and slow growing plants are excellent.

• You will not need to add water very often, but when you do just sprinkle lightly inside.

• If the glass of the terrarium fogs up, remove the lid for a day or two, then add the lid again.

• You can use other containers as terrariums such as large glass jars, coffee cans or boxes.

• If you wish to add small animals to your terrarium, they will need a screened opening in the lid for oxygen and some source of food, water and shelter. A pile of dead leaves and wood in the corner of the terrarium is often helpful.

• Never soak the soil in your terrarium completely, as this can lead to mold growth and disease for your plants and require you to clean the terrarium more frequently.

References

• Creating a Terrarium: Minnesota DNR
• Terrarium of Woodland Creatures for Experiementation or Pleasure
• Ask Extention Database: NDSU Service