Any advice on how to make a terriarium for a tabletop?

Question

I would like to make a terriarium to place on my kitchen table. It will get alot of light. Any suggestions on how to make a terriarium? What plants work best? Where can I get an interesting container or ideas for design?

Answer 1

what "plant freak" said... also, I add some horticulture charcoal to the gravel on the bottom, I'll use aquarium gravel rather than pea gravel, and if the light conditions are very high you may need to keep your terrarium uncovered... as for containers... i use old fish bowls purchased from local Goodwill, rumage sales, or other resale places.... large, decorative vases also work... my fav plants to add: peporomias, minature ferns, small palms, Fittonia (one of the best terrarium plants!)

Answer 2

Ah the 70's have come back! We used glass cannisters that can be found at Target for the kitchen. Use some small pea gravel at the bottom for drainage, a soil that contains extra vermiculite (found anywhere they sell a bag of soil) and make sure you buy plants that like a lot of moisture and won't get too tall. It looks great if you add a nice shell or pretty rock at the bottom. Don't overwater either! The plants will rot. Enjoy the process of creating something alive!

Answer 3

Sounds like fun. here are a few tips I learned with terrarium culture:
1. Put a reasonable (depends on size of container..1-3 ") layer of sterile pea gravel or lava rock in the bottom of the container before the soil...for drainage.

2. Use sterile (indoor) well draining potting soil to avoid white fly, aphids...and other pests.

3. Choose plants that stay small like miniature table ferns, climbing ficus, pepperomia...check out your local garden centre.

4. Make sure you combine plants that like the same conditions...ie don't put cacti with ferns.

5. Keep an eye out for pests, such as white fly and aphids (really small and able to multiply overnight)...'Sticky Sticks' by Safer's work well. Even with all the sterile media I use, I get pests no matter what.

Have fun!

Answer 4

Go to ebay and search terrarium. There are a lot of interesting containers there. Tropical carnivorous plants are well suited for a terrarium. Maybe a terrestrial Bladderwort and a Spoon Leaf Sundew. A Lance Leaf Sundew would make a good terrarium plant.

Answer 5

I belong to a gardening site called www.davesgardens.com and we think that Fittonia in several colors are the best plants for terraiums...they have them right now at Lowe's provided for us out of Florida....3.50 a 4" pot...what a deal...plus there are other tropical pretty foliage plants that work well.

Answer 6

Terrariums are great for the spirit. Here is a website you can visit for all the information you need.

http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1457.htm

Have Fun!!