DIY Medium Open and Closed Terrarium Kit

Product Information

This gorgeous moss terrarium kit by EK Terrariumsis about as cute as it gets – measuring up to only 3.4 inches tall. This kit makes a great gift. (Image Credit: EKTerrariums). Our closed terrarium kits contain all the tools, soil, gravel, stones and charcoal you need. Suitable plants are also available as an option. The Drainage Layer – A foundational structure and reservoir for excess water to drain into. Sometimes, it includes an activated charcoal layer and mesh barrier. We’ve used leca in this drainage layer, it’s our go-to material.

The plants in a closed terrarium also produce oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis; this is why many closed terrariums can also support small insects and isopods. This process is reversed at nighttime, allowing plants to get CO2 for photosynthesis; the plants can also absorb carbon from the soil as old leaves and organic matter decay. What You Will Need to Build a Closed Terrarium If they are not separated, soil can enter the base of the jar and sit in water, making it putrid and rotten – this would affect the whole ecosystem. Yes, you can create a more elaborate setup with lights, this will also give you more options for plants.Of course, being a closed terrarium means you need to be able to seal it (the clue is in the name). Our closed terrariums are self-sufficient and maintenance free. When you have created your plant terrarium, the micro-ecosystem will maintain itself, so you generally do not have to add water. Just relax and watch your mini garden terrarium change, grow and evolve over time. When it comes to getting lids for open containers, I find getting acrylic disks cut to size is the best option. There are plenty of companies online that can cut something to a precise dimension for a reasonable cost. An acrylic lid looks just like glass and it’s much cheaper and lighter. Want to add more greenery to your room, office, or home without simply buying another houseplant? Consider creating your own terrarium. Yes, worms can serve in a closed terrarium with the correct setup, these can be used in terrariums built from local habitats.

Whichever style you opt for, terrariums are a lovely way to refresh and brighten your home and add decoration with beautiful plants which can thrive indefinitely. Just bear in mind that the best terrarium plants are small and slow-growing. Below, we’ve searched high and low for the best terrarium kits – both open and closed – to create your own mini garden indoors. We happen to think they make fabulous gifts, too… Okay, the first step to a harmonious closed terrarium ecosystem is choosing your plants that’ll thrive in the moist environment and humid air. So we’ve got that covered. Now we’re onto the more nuanced things to consider.

Top 5 Terrarium Kits

For a natural light source, you’ll want your terrarium to be in a bright spot that’s out of direct sunlight. Keep an eye out for anyterrarium kits with Venus Flytraps. They’repossible to create (sort of), but certainly not for the faint-hearted terrarium builder. They’ll need very particular care requirements and an open container. There are much more suitable carnivorous plants for closed terrariums, but if you want to attempt it, see our Venus Flytrap terrarium guide. Small house plants work best, but make sure you buy miniature versions e.g. Polka dot plants, Peperomia Miniature, Miniature English ivy It comes in several container sizes, and you even have the option to grab the kit without the glassware (or the plants) if you already have some options to hand. So it’s great for adapting to your needs. A terrarium is an enclosed glass or plastic container that is used to grow plants," says Lisa Steinkopf, who runs the blog The Houseplant Guru.

Fear not; all of these can be sourced easily online, from local stores, or even fashioned yourself (when it comes to tools). As we’ve touched on earlier, bright indirect light is the name of the game in closed terrarium care. Plenty of energy and none of the risk of scorching. I have watched many videos on youtube of people experimenting with different setups. The best channel, Serpadesign, recommends using a ‘false bottom’. Often called a riparian layer, the false bottom is the key to building your water cycle. The false bottom consists of a layer of stones separated by a mesh barrier that divides it from the substrate.How come? This one-of-a-kind kit involves chia seeds, which will sprout just a few days after planting. This kids’ terrarium is so cute and magical! (Image Credit: SugarBlushStudio on Etsy). It’s not aimed at kids per se, but with quality materials, it’s a nice option for an older child wanting to get to grips with terrarium layers. A closed terrarium is a complete mini-ecosystem in a bottle or jar (usually a glass storage jar). Closed terrariums can be entirely self-sufficient if set up correctly; some have not been opened for decades and are still thriving today. Unlike the majority of kids’ kits available, which are decorative open terrarium builds, this kit has luscious live moss, which is appropriate for a closed container. And it’s reasonably priced, too!