How to make a miniature garden terrarium

Mini-landscapes in glass jars are called terrariums.
Not only are they easy to make and care for, they make fabulous gifts or brighten up a room at home. We'll show you how to make your own in this simple step-by-step guide.

Suitable for ages: 4 years and up, adults
Time required: 30 mins
Difficulty: 2 out of 5

 

Terrariums are great fun to make with children, especially when it comes to designing your landscape with plants and rocks.

Let’s get started…

What You'll Need:

• Large glass jar
• Soil
• Propagating sand
• Sphagnum moss (from any garden centre)
• Charcoal pieces (either aquarium charcoal or from a nursery)
• Small pebbles
• Plants – you can use succulents or moss (you can find moss growing in the cracks of paths and walls)
• Rocks and pebbles to decorate with
• White sand to decorate with
• A spoon
• A few bowls to mix things in

Step 1.
Choose a glass vessel for your terrarium. Make sure your glass jar is nice and clean.

Step 2.
Place a layer of pebbles in the bottom of the jar – about 1.5 cm deep. (The pebbles will act as drainage in your terrarium).

Step 3.
Soak some sphagnum moss in water to rehydrate it. 

Step 4.
Squeeze excess water from the sphagnum moss.
Place a thin layer of sphagnum moss on top of the pebbles. (This acts as a filtration system in your terrarium).

 

Step 5.
Make your soil mix: two handfuls of soil, one handful of propagating sand and one tablespoon of charcoal. Add about a cup of water and mix.
(The charcoal helps to keep your soil fresh, and the sand helps your plants grow).

 

Step 6.
Squeeze excess water from the soil and create a thin layer of soil (about 2 cm) on top of the sphagnum moss in your terrarium.

Then place soil layer onto pebbles in the jar.

Step 7.
Plant your plants or moss, and place large decorative rocks into the soil. 

Step 8.
Decorate your terrarium with pebbles, rocks and sand to finish your terrarium.

Quick Tips:

• If you've made a moss terrarium, pop a lid on your jar to keep the moisture in. This way any moisture that evaporates will condensate and keep the moss watered.
• With succulent terrariums, when your plants looks a little thirsty, pour a spoon of water at the base of your plant – this might only be once a month.

We’d love to see your terrarium creations! 
Please send us photos either by email to: web@sea.museum or tag us on Instagram - just tag the photo with our username @sea.museum

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