A terrarium is a “mini-greenhouse”, which contains plants in a confined environment. This allows you to keep specialist plants indoors all year round. They provide an autonomous system. They are ideal for people who neglect their plants as they are best when left for months on their own.

The fundamental process on which the whole terrarium works is evaporation. Water is added to the soil and then the plants take it in, and then it passes out of the plants. The water evaporates and the process starts again.

Because the terrarium has to be in indirect sunlight, it could be placed in direct sunlight if the container is tinted glass. If you do place it in direct sunlight, install a small thermometer inside to ensure the temperature doesn’t get too high. A good glass container is ideal, although plastic could also be used.

Because of the fact that it is a closed environment, smaller plants are better suited to the cramped space inside the container. Cacti can be grown inside, although these don’t really need a contained eco-system to survive. Ferns are excellent for this, but make sure any plant you use isn’t diseased, as bringing a disease into the terrarium could be fatal for all your plants. If you want the best effect, using tropical plants are brilliant, as 7you can create a “jungle in a jar”!

In the bottom of the place 3 centimetres of pea gravel. On top of that add 1 centimetre of charcoal shavings, and then fill the rest with a well-draining, neutral pH soil. Plant the roots shallowly in the soil, and then fill in the hole.

Then you will need to add water. Add a small amount at a time to prevent over watering, as this could kill the plants in such a contained environment. Prune the plants regularly and remove any diseased or dead plants. Leave and enjoy!