Because of their modest size, lovely variations, and very simple maintenance, succulents are excellent terrarium plants. This article will teach you how to construct a succulent terrarium and will provide you with a step-by-step list of the materials you’ll need.
Generally speaking, the processes required to create a succulent terrarium are as follows:
- Select a terrarium vessel.
- sanitize the container
- Select and apply the bottom drainage layer.
- Add a filter to help with separation
- Apply a coat of charcoal
- Succulent soil mixture should be added before plants.
- Decorations
How well do succulents fare in terrariums?
For succulents, the planting media is essential. Succulents are ideal for terrariums because of their sluggish growth, but if the proper medium isn’t used, the condensation that could form could harm the tiny plants. Fill the container’s bottom with small rocks or gravel. An inch or so of charcoal is placed on top of this layer. This removes any pollutants and odors that may be present in the water. Sphagnum moss should next be added, followed by lightly wet cactus soil.
In the cactus mix, put the little plants, and then compact the dirt around them. To dig the holes and fill them in around the plants, a dowel or stick is useful. Plants should be placed at least an inch (2.5 cm) apart to allow for proper airflow. For the first several weeks, plants may require a Popsicle stick or small stake to hold them erect.
The really enjoyable part now is designing the terrarium. Add some seashells if you want a beach theme, or place some pebbles to go with the succulents if you want a desert theme. There are countless products that can be used to improve the terrarium’s natural appearance. Some growers even include porcelain figurines to heighten the whimsical atmosphere. Just make sure everything you put in the terrarium has been well cleaned to prevent introducing disease.
How are succulent terrariums layered?
Make sure your chosen container is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to start. Fill the bottom of the container with two inches of gravel or sand. In order to prevent water from becoming stagnant and accumulating around the roots of your plants, this creates moisture drainage. Add one inch of cactus soil on top of this layer.
Place each tiny succulent in the ground. A pair of chopsticks is an excellent tool for placing your plants firmly if you have tiny ones. Once you’ve positioned them where you desire, you may add a few decorative elements to cover any empty spaces.
What does a terrarium of succulents require?
In general, high light and low moisture settings are ideal for succulent growth. Succulents cannot flourish in a closed terrarium because the environment is too damp. Succulents can be created and placed in an unfenced, open-dish garden to address this problem. A huge jar will be overly humid, so keep that in mind. Air must be allowed to move about succulents since airflow is crucial.
Do terrariums require activated charcoal?
A terrarium can and will run successfully without a coating of charcoal. The important query is whether a covering of charcoal has a long-term beneficial impact on terrarium health.
Sadly, there isn’t any hard research demonstrating how well charcoal filters out harmful contaminants from a terrarium.
It makes sense in theory, and there is anecdotal evidence from seasoned terrarium builders that suggests it’s a useful addition, but like many terrarium-building decisions, it comes down to personal preference and trial and error.
Personally, I find that I utilize it less and less. I opted not to use charcoal in the project for my Essential Guide to Tropical Terrariums and instead used springtails to keep my terrarium clean. It’s still my healthiest, to be honest.
However, if you do decide to utilize it, adding a charcoal layer to your terrarium is a simple modification that I’ve found to have no significant drawbacks.
Charcoal can still be used as a drainage component when creating terrariums with a false bottom. So it won’t be much of a hindrance to your plants if it’s placed between your drainage rocks and your substrate.
Try adding extra terrarium moss instead of charcoal if you’re not keen on that. In any case, moss naturally filters water and is capable of removing contaminants like arsenic.
Succulents — can they survive in a contained terrarium?
If the idea of going faux makes you sick to your stomach (Trust us, we get it! ), you may still arrange live succulents in a closed terrarium while keeping a few key considerations in mind.
When putting genuine succulents in a closed terrarium, airflow is your best friend. In fact, the dome of our Glass Cloche has air holes that will keep your enclosed terrarium from becoming overly humid. And if your closed terrarium does become a little humid, you can easily remove the lid for a few days to allow the environment to dry out before replacing it.
Here are a few other suggestions to keep your enclosed terrarium airy:
- To help the soil stay dry, place drainage stones at the bottom of your terrarium.
- The leaves of your succulents should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Choose a bright area with filtered sunlight as an alternative.
- Your succulents won’t become soggy with a light weekly irrigation.
Can succulents be grown in just rocks?
It should be obvious that succulents will thrive when planted in rocks given these circumstances. They drain very well and do not retain water, which eliminates the possibility of root rot. This does not include another component of soil, though, since all plants need nutrients.
Although succulents are not particularly hungry plants, they do need certain nutrients to grow. Other micronutrients like zinc or iron are needed in smaller levels, whereas macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are essential. The plant won’t grow at all or last very long without these nutrients.
By their very nature, rocks don’t release nutrients quickly enough to keep the plants alive. They are composed of minerals, but since they decompose so slowly over time, they are not appropriate for growing on their own. Additionally, they often don’t retain enough moisture, allowing the roots to quickly dry out after draining practically instantly.
Sadly, this means that succulents cannot thrive permanently without soil in rocks. If not given regular care, they may survive for several weeks or even months on the nutrients found in the stems and leaves.
How frequently should I water my terrarium of succulents?
Understanding how to water succulents is only the first step in caring for them. Here are our 4 best suggestions for developing the ideal succulent watering routine, plus a bonus:
1. Succulent planter containers
Although they thrive in terrariums with drainage holes, succulents can also be kept in non-drainage-holed pots. To allow the water to flow away from your plant in a terrarium without drainage holes, place a substantial layer of stones at the bottom of the container. Beautiful hydrostones are available that enhance your terrarium’s appearance while yet being very practical. It’s crucial to avoid letting water collect at the base of your plant, as this will damage the roots.
2. Ideal Succulent Soil
Your plants’ life depends on you picking the correct soil for them. Succulents require soil that drains properly. Because of its density, regular potting soil is NOT the best option for your succulents. To allow extra water to drain away from your plant, you must cover your stones with a soil that is grittier than usual. If you’re unsure of which soil to purchase for your succulents, we offer the ideal terrarium soil for you.
3. The area
You might need to water your succulents more frequently or less frequently depending on where you live. As a general guideline, you should water your plants every three to four days if they are in the proper mixture of grit and sunlight. You may need to modify how frequently you water your plants if you reside in a very dry or possibly a really humid region. The quantity of sunshine your plants receive and whether they are indoor or outdoor plants both influence how often you should water them. You must test several strategies to see what works best for you and your plants. What works for one person might not work for another. It is more likely for succulents to perish from overwatering than from underwatering, so be sure to experiment first with less water.
4. Succulent Watering Techniques
Many people make the incorrect suggestion that you should water their succulents using a spray bottle. Your plants will take moisture from the air if you live in a humid area, therefore you must moisten the soil to provide water for the roots as well. Spray bottles can be helpful for providing extra moisture in particularly large terrariums and arid areas, but a little mist does not encourage good root growth. The easiest way to water your succulents is using a little watering can because it directs the water where you want it to go and won’t leave water stains all over your transparent terrarium. Bao Vo provides some amazing suggestions for you if you’re looking for some watering can substitutes. These are great methods for watering more difficult-to-reach hanging terrariums and smaller terrariums.
TOP TIP FOR WATERING YOUR SUCCULENTS:
Here is a simple tip if you’re still unclear about how to water succulents. The best way to water succulents is to thoroughly moisten the soil, then let the plants absorb all the moisture they require, letting any extra water drain away from the roots. Before rewatering, let the soil entirely dry up; this may take a while depending on your region and container, as noted above. Try watering a little bit each day if your terrarium contains stones instead of drainage holes to prevent overwatering. Keep in mind that succulents require less water than other plants.
Do succulents fit in Mason jars?
This detailed tutorial will show you how to use succulent plants and a mason jar to make a quick and simple hostess present to bring to your next gathering.
I quickly discovered that Southern California is the pinnacle of entertainment as a result of growing up in the luminous and sunny city of Los Angeles. The ideal elixir for pleasant celebrations with no formal occasion other than the official change in season is created by longer days and balmy, breezy nights. In Southern California, activities like nighttime dinners on patios lighted up brilliantly, pool parties, and my personal favorite, breakfast, can be enjoyed all year long.
I try to bring a hostess gift as frequently as I can because there are so many celebrations going on. A bottle of Ros or a lovely bunch of in-season flowers—my personal favorite being peonies—is typically involved.
I like to see those two choices as my simple alternatives. However, I really appreciate the consideration that went into creating a special present for the host or hostess.
Simple and stylish
Mason jar terrariums are wonderful presents. For colorful and unusual succulent plants, mason jars make the ideal planters. There are countless varieties, gem hues, and sizes available for these drought-tolerant beauties. Succulents require almost no maintenance and are simple to take care of (with a few exclusions).
I just went to my neighborhood hardware store to look for a couple succulents. I could stare at the various succulents for hours. I finally chose a couple to bring home and put in my mason jar terrarium after an uncomfortably lengthy period of time and a cart-full of plants had passed.
Mason jars of all sizes and shapes are always readily available in my kitchen, which makes it very simple and practical for me to make this activity. I can construct a small succulent terrarium in under 30 minutes with a few extra materials.
Here are the materials you will need to make your own:
- Jar, Mason (I used a half pint mason jar and a pint and a half mason jar for this particular project but you can use any size you choose)
- (Cactus Mix) Soil
- Any hardware shop or garden center should carry this.)
- Succulents (in any style, size, or color). I suggest selecting a few different sizes. Choose a variety that will stand out and serve as the main attraction. Then choose a few more compact succulents in various colours to provide texture and build the arrangement around the focal focus.) If you have any succulent cuttings, this is an excellent project for you!
- Moss
- sandstone or tiny pebbles
- gift tags, baker’s twine, etc (Optional)
Where to begin?
You most likely have a few glass containers lying around your home, from enormous pasta containers to vintage jam jars.
Choose any container that allows you to reach a plant once it is inside with ease.
Cacti and succulents do better in open terrariums. Make sure the lid is tightly closed. Humid environments are ideal for tropical plants like mosses or air plants.
You’ll also need:
- Small pebbles or stones: Gather some gravel from your front yard for the foundation to aid in drainage.
- Potting soil is essential. You only need around a handful of dirt, and most soils will work nicely for this.
- Although it might not be in every shed, activated charcoal is simple to locate. This will keep the water in your terrarium fresh and prevent the growth of bacteria.
- a variety of little implements, including pencils, chopsticks, tiny trowels, and long spoons
- Anything you like for decoration to make it absolutely unique. Moss creates a vibrant foundation, or little objects can add life to it.
- Plants, naturally
Pick the right plant
Choose the ideal leafy plant from a variety of cacti, succulents, and succulents depending on whether your ecology is open (dry) or closed (humid).
Here are a few ideas, although there are a lot more available:
- in the air (Tillandsia stricta)
- Nerve root (Fittonia)
- Mountain spikemoss (Selaginella apoda)
- The polka-dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachy)
- Pleasant woodruff (Galium odoratum)
- planetary bromeliad (Cyrpthanthus)
- Square plant (Tradescantia zebrina)
- Chickens and hens (Echeverias)
Why not use your imagination to create a collection of “sceneries,” ranging from a fairy tale woods to a dry desert landscape?
Setting up your terrarium
If you’re constructing this in your living room, cover your work surface since things can get messy.
- Stack the stones to a depth of around 2-3 centimeters in your dry, clean container.
- Best practice: To add variety to your design, turn the container on its side so that the lid points outward rather than upward.
- Add the charcoal next. It merely has to be dispersed widely. (You can add sphagnum moss after this if you have any.)
- Add the potting soil in layers. Make sure there is enough so the roots of the plant can rest comfortably and deeply.
- Start with the largest plant you have.
- Make a hole for the plant using your tiny trowel or long-handled spoon.
- Plant should be placed into soil gently. The earth surrounding it can be flattened and filled in with an instrument resembling a pencil.
- Don’t squeeze your plant up against the glass; give it some room to flourish.
- Continue including the remainder of your plants if you have more.
- If you want to hide the soil, add more stones or perhaps some moss or sand.
- Make any last-minute adjustments.
- Do not close the lid!
Want some moss? Here’s a pro tip. Rake over your garden using a soil rake or a spring tine rake. You can use any moss that grows in the shaded areas into your sculpture.
- Pick a location with lots of natural light (but not in direct sunlight)
- Every two weeks, or whenever the soil seems dry to the touch, mist your terrarium with water.
- Pay attention to it. Condensation can develop within these miniature greenhouses even when they are shut. A small amount is acceptable, but if the glass becomes cloudy, you may have watered it too much.