easy terrariums.

a few months ago, sam & i went to his camp up in marienville, pa. there are lots of trees surrounding the camp, and everything seems to be damp there most of the time. it's the perfect place for moss to grow, and there is moss covering the ground in most places. i really love looking at moss -  it's so small & cute, and there are so many different varieties, each one unique & beautiful. almost everytime i was outside, i would end up crouching down & discovering a new kind of moss.

a little glass candle jar & candle saucer.

when i was about to leave, i knew i wanted to take some with me, but wasn't sure what exactly i would do with it. i found an old mason jar & started picking little clumps of all my favorite kinds. it pulls up really easy, roots & all. i filled the entire jar up with clumps of moss, and it looked so pretty. that's when i decided i would try my luck at making a terrarium!

now, i am by no means an expert at this, so these "tips" are really just what i have tried & found to work for me. i am actually thinking about taking a class on terrarium making, because i think it could be a life long hobby. i did do a little research, but i kind of just pieced mine together with the materials i had around my house. here's a little summary of how to make one for yourself.

SUPPLIES.

mason jar from sam's paps, and thrifted glass jar. 

glass container - if you are using moss, or small tropical plants that need to be kept moist at all times, you need to have a container with a lid, or keep them misted EVERY day. it's a pretty big commitment, and i know i get super sad when one of my plants dies - i feel like i let it down. that's why the lid makes it so much easier.

plants - moss, small tropical plants, or succulents work best. you can find succulents & some tropical plants at lowes or most greenhouses. mosses can be bought online, at specialty gardening stores, or found outside.

small stones - i found mine in my back yard. just be sure to wash them - don't want any lil bugs in there.

soil - the better quality soil, the happier your plants will be. i'm cheap, so i just used topsoil.

misting bottle - optional, but really helpful.

the first part of a successful terrarium is a way for the soil to drain. one of the most common reason house plants die is over-watering. when the soil can't drain, the roots begin to rot. it's best to always make sure your container has a way to drain. since terrarium containers don't have a drainage system, you have to create your own. there are more steps you can take to make a better system (sand, charcoal, terrarium stones), but these items can be expensive, and i have found small pebbles work fine. so, layer the bottom of your container with smallish size stones. try to cover the entire bottom. if you want your stones to be visible (terrariums look really cool when you can see all of the layers), put 2 or 3 layers, or carefully place some pretty stones along the sides. 

once you have your rocks in place, it's time to add some dirt. as i said before, it's best to use better quality soil, but any bagged soil is fine. the amount of dirt you need will depend on the size of your container & the type of plants you are using. moss needs very little soil, or none at all. succulents & tropical plants usually come potted, so you'll need soil at least deep enough to cover their root system, plus a little more underneath so they have some room to spread out & grow.

now you're all ready to add some life to the terrarium! if you have plants you found in the woods or in your yard, it's a good idea to "quarantine" them for about a month. it is especially important to do this with found moss. bugs can lay their microscopic eggs deep within the moss, and you would never know. if you are using a lidded container, you would be able to stop the hatched bugs from taking over your home, but if you are using one without a lid, you could come home to a gross little surprise one day when they decide to hatch. either way, it's easier to keep your moss or plant in a sealed jar & be safe rather than sorry. 

if you are using a container you can't reach your hand down into, you'll need to find a way to move your plants around. for my mason jar terrarium, i used a wooden spoon handle to push down the soil & make a spot for my plant, which is a mini fern. then i carefully added some soil to cover it's roots and keep it in place. if you are using moss, do some research about your type of moss. some like to grow on rocks or on angles, so you may need to place some items on top of your soil to keep your moss happy. 

now that your plants are in their new home, you just have to know where in your home to place them. alot of "terrarium" plants need to be kept warm and moist. the closed containers make it quite easy to maintain a warm temperature, and hold water a lot longer, so they don't need as much care. succulents like to have their soil completely dried out before watering. i keep mine in indirect but bright natural light. anywhere in my room that gets light from the window, but isn't super close seems to be a good spot for them. these are fun little projects to try, especially if you can find all or most of the items needed in your home. i would recommend trying a "home made" one before spending money on somewhat expensive terrarium plants until you get a feel for how to maintain them. but overall, it's a really fun & simple hobby. so, if you see a cheap little lidded container or a cute patch of moss, try making your own!