Ta da! After months of coveting others’ creations and searching for the right vessel, I finally made my own terrarium. The photos are kind of bad due to the reflection, unfortunately, but you get the idea.
I started with a layer of charcoal, which prevents mold from growing, added soil-less potting mix, then followed with the plants: a plumosa (asparagus fern), lipstick plant and Irish moss. I added the “lawn fawn”, a perfectly-kitschy little deer, just for fun, but you could easily skip it for a more sophisticated look.
Did I mention that I can’t fit my hand in the top, so this was all done with my husband’s barbecue tongs?
You like? I think it’s fab. (As an aside, there was a lot of grumbling last year about houseplant hatred; could terrariums turn it around for the piteous old houseplant?)
Wanna try it? Here’s a good article on the how-to of building a terrarium.
I loved this post.. It reminds me of the plants my mother had.. She had her own bowl terrariams, little eco systems.. They lasted for years.. I think she still may have one.
WANT! very nice… i have been thinking of doing a terrarium too, so maybe you’ve finally gotten me off my butt. i dig the deer.
Thanks! I do encourage you to start your own. I procrastinated forEVER thinking it was going to be a complicated project, but it only took me a few minutes to put it together once I acquired the plants and supplies.
That is so cute! And so contained… I love it! Maybe I should make one, at least it wouldn’t make a mess all over my apartment.
LOVE love love your terrarium! I’ve been wanting to make one, but then I get sleepy and… well, you know. You’ve totally inspired me to fight through the fog and make one already!
And I agree with bright – I dig the deer. Would you mind if I bite your style and put my ceramic love dogs in mine? I will, of course, give you inspirational credit!
Thanks, Jess and Germi!
Jessica – I think it would be perfect for an apartment. And if you get a container with a lid, it basically waters itself – the moisture recirculates! How awesome is that?
Germi – I DO know. Napping is my favourite and least-favourite thing simultaneously. Go for it! But I do have to ask, what’s a “love dog”???
I’m ***totally*** going to do one of these this fall. A friend just brought me a table top cactus garden from the Grand Canyon and I figure I have until fall or so when I’ll have killed it and can move on to the terrarium.
What is it with growing plants indoors for me? Outside in the garden? No problem. But inside? Instant death.
Love the deer, btw.
It never entered my mind that no one would know what I meant by ‘love dogs’! It’s this cold I have … my brain isn’t working correctly.
My husband gave me a ceramic statue of 2 dalmations with entwined necks, kissing… they are very cartoony and cute and I’ve always called them ‘love dogs’. They will look perfectly cozy, making out in a terrarium!
Thanks for the great blogging, Andrea!
Sassy – I hear you. I suck at indoor plants, too. And don’t you find that, as a gardener, you’re expected to know heaps about indoor plants? We need to start an awareness campaign. Something along the lines of, “Need houseplant advice? Don’t ask a gardener!”
Germi – Ahh. Thanks for that. I thought I had missed some major cultural reference! Dogs making out in a terrarium, though. Nice! I want photos when you’re done.
Love it! I just purchased some Irish moss this weekend at Springfest in NJ and have been wondering what to do with it. Thiis is perfect, thanks for sharing!
PinkVelvetBird