Terrarium Designs are like miniature ecosystems, allowing you to bring nature indoors. You can cultivate moss, tropical orchids, or carnivorous plants within those tiny glass walls.
The key is to find plants with similar light and moisture needs and to keep the terrarium from overheating. Ms. Colletti adds a layer of construction paper between applications of stone, sand, and soil.
Terrariums allow you to design an entire miniature landscape. The plants you use determine the overall feel of the landscape, and your choice of materials helps you achieve a specific look. A few common terrarium designs include forest, desert and tropical themes.
Closed terrariums are sealed glass containers or jars that create an ecosystem for moisture and humidity-loving plants to thrive in. They can be small or large, but their transparent walls allow light and heat to enter, which promotes plant growth. The walls also facilitate a water cycle as evaporating moisture passes through the glass, back into the soil and plants, and then evaporates again, continuing the process.
A layer of chunky drainage material is usually added to the bottom of closed terrariums, which can be anything from pea gravel and river rocks to decorative pebbles. This creates a reservoir that holds water that drains from the soil (protecting the roots from soggy soil) and then slowly recirculates to perpetuate the water cycle. A layer of charcoal is often added to this drainage layer to prevent fungus and bacteria from growing.
Mosses are popular for terrarium landscapes because they add texture and color. They are available in a variety of forms and colors, from sheet moss to reindeer moss to sphagnum moss. Moss can be used to cover the whole terrarium floor or can be incorporated into pathways and other landscape elements.
Decorative materials like sticks, bark, wood, stone and seedpods can be used to create natural-looking accents or to suggest a certain environment. Sticks and stones are particularly useful for creating cliffs, rock ledges or dry streambeds in a terrarium. Rocks and sand are great for creating undulations to represent hills or mountains.
The container you choose for your terrarium will also influence its style. For example, you can use upcycled glass jars for a rustic feel or go with a sleek, geometric glass terrarium to suit a modern aesthetic.
You can even make a terrarium that reflects the natural landscape of your home by choosing plants with contrasting leaf colors and textures. For a jungle-like theme, try using ferns and begonias in your terrarium or opt for brightly-colored nerve plant varieties (scientifically known as Fittonia) that have contrasting veining on their leaves for an almost luminescent effect.
Plants
Choosing what plants to put in your terrarium is an important part of designing it. Using plants that thrive in closed environments is essential, but it’s also fun to get creative and choose ones with interesting colors or textures.
A terrarium can be like a little landscape in a glass jar, and the plants are what really make it come to life. Choose a few types of green plants to create depth and add visual interest. Ferns are ideal because they come in different heights and shades of green, and mosses are perfect for creating lush layers of texture.
Many plants that grow well in terrariums have vibrant leaf colors, and they look even more eye-catching when grouped together. Use these colorful plants to emphasize the natural beauty of your terrarium, and experiment with mixing shapes and heights of plants to find a composition that works for you.
For an exotic feel, try a rainforest theme with tropical plants like ferns and begonias. You can also use a combination of cacti and succulents to create an earthy desert look for your terrarium. These plants require lower maintenance and can thrive in small closed spaces.
The substrate, or base layer, of your terrarium is another important element in its design. Start with a deep layer of stones and charcoal, and then spread a thick layer of potting soil over the top. Spread a layer of sheet moss over the potting soil to prevent it from mixing with the charcoal and stones.
Once you’ve added the potting soil, the substrate, and plants, you can begin to build your design. The substrate can be slopped at the back and center to give the terrarium a more dynamic feel, and you can use rocks or hardscape objects to anchor different points of interest in your composition.
The more you layer your terrarium, the more it will look like a tiny, living ecosystem. Use the rule of thirds to help you compose your composition and line up key elements, and don’t forget to add a touch of color with a decorative stone or marble.
Containers
The containers used in terrarium designs range from small glass jars and canning jars to fish bowls, aquariums and even large antique milk bottles. The most important thing is that the container is clear to allow for proper light. Using a container that is tinted or cloudy will restrict light and can damage the plants inside. When selecting a container, choose one that is large enough to hold the entire terrarium and its contents.
A layer of gravel or sand should be placed in the bottom of the container to help with drainage and prevent fungus growth. Then a half-inch layer of activated charcoal should be added. This will help to keep the soil fresh and healthy, as well as help reduce the smell of the terrarium.
The next step is to add a thin layer of light, humus-soil potting mix. A layer of moss can be used as a filler and to provide a soft, green backdrop for the plants. Finally, the chosen plants can be planted into the potting mix. When planting, gently press the roots into the potting mix, but do not oversaturate it.
It is possible to use almost any type of plant in a terrarium, but some types are more suited for specific themes than others. Fairy garden terrariums, for example, are designed to look like an enchanted forest filled with cute little details. These can include miniature houses, bridges and figurines of fairy and elf-like creatures.
Some other popular terrarium design themes are rainforest, moss landscapes and desert oasis. For a rainforest theme, you could incorporate ferns, ficus trees and other tropical-looking plants. Moss landscapes can be created using a variety of plants, including bromeliads, ferns and succulents.
A terrarium design can be a wonderful way to show off your creativity. By using a creative theme, you can create a mini-world that reflects your interests and personality. By experimenting with different combinations of plants, you can find the perfect arrangement to suit your home. Then, sit back and enjoy your creation!
Accessories
Decorative terrarium accessories are a great way to enhance the appearance of a home terrarium. These accessories can include things such as a rock or wood stand to raise the terrarium off of the ground, and sand or gravel to add color and texture to the display. Other options include decorative stone pieces and whimsical fairy lights. Terrarium decorations are available in a wide variety of themes to suit personal taste. Popular themes for terrariums include Pokemon, Disney, rainforest, moss landscapes and desert oasis.
Some artists specialize in creating terrariums to order for clients, and these can be a fantastic addition to any living space. Mossopia, for example, creates terrariums and mossariums that are exclusively made of moss-even the smallest pieces are used in the creations. These small gardens can be shaped into different structures, or they can be painted to look like certain scenes, such as autumn trees or a forest floor.
Other accessories include a reptile ledge that creates an elevated perch in terrariums, and a natural bush that can be placed in a terrarium to provide hiding places or shelters for reptiles. A terrarium sand scooper makes cleaning the substrate in a terrarium easy, and a specialized screen cover helps protect pets from accidental escapes. There are also replacement plants, extra tillandsias and artistic critters that can be added to terrarium designs for an extra boost of visual interest.