Fill the glass jars’ bases with potting soil once they have been cleaned and dried. Succulents should be taken out of their plastic containers and placed in the glass jar. To prevent the succulent from moving around, fill the remaining space in the jar with potting soil.
Succulents in a glass container are they good?
It looks very wonderful to plant succulents in glass containers like mason jars and bowls. Additionally, they make lovely presents for almost every occasion.
Succulents may be placed in a glass terrarium.
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.
Size
Choose a pot that is just big enough for the plant to grow in, but not too big. The circumference of the appropriate pot is 5–10% greater than the size of the plant. Choose pots with a maximum excess space around the sides of an inch or two. The delicate roots will spread if the pot is too big before the plant has a chance to develop. There won’t be any room for the roots to spread in a pot that is too tiny.
Style
The ideal pot should not only complement your style and decor but also the physical properties of the plant. Tall pots look excellent with upright-growing succulents, like aloe. Low-growing cultivars, like Echeveria, look fantastic in little pots. Not to mention spillers with trailing growth tendencies like String of Pearls. Spillers in shallow pots or hanging plants look fantastic and grow well.
Material
There are many different types of materials for pots. The most prevalent materials are wood, terracotta, metal, ceramic, and resin. Terracotta or ceramic pots work best for succulent plants. Both of these materials allow for proper air and water circulation because they are both breathable. Just keep in mind that both ceramic and terracotta are weighty, especially after adding soil and plants.
Pick resin or plastic pots for larger plants, especially ones you plan to move around. Your back will thank you for using those lighter pots as you move or reposition plants.
Drainage
Before you plant and cultivate succulents, the most important thing to understand is that they don’t like a lot of water. Even before you develop a watering schedule, this is relevant. Without adequate drainage, water that accumulates at the bottom of a container without anywhere to go may cause root rot in your succulent.
The ideal pots for succulents, regardless of design, are planters with drainage holes in the bottom. Since many succulent planters lack drainage holes, you can use any of them as long as you keep in mind to water succulents sparingly and keep an eye on them frequently.
Can I use a Mason jar to store my succulent?
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 more 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)
Succulents can they survive in a confined jar?
The following also applies in this case: You can plant succulents in nearly any container you want. The mason jar works just as well for growing succulents as a planting bowl or a hanging glass ball. There is only one prerequisite: the glass must be able to be opened. Because of the excessive humidity inside, succulents in closed glass perish fast.
Succulents are consequently more suited to open containers with a top opening instead of a bottle garden, like semicircular glass bowls. The square terrarium’s succulents are also a stunning eye-catcher. However, it also applies in this case because for the succulents to flourish, it must be open upwards or at the very least have a hole for evaporation.
In a glass bowl, how do you water succulents?
In the normal course of things, I would advise against growing anything in a container without drainage. In most cases, drilling a hole in a container is simpler than dealing with the effects of improper drainage. However, because succulents need so little water, you can use a bowl as long as you use high-quality potting soil and don’t overwater the plants. Water stains on your table are also avoided by the lack of a drainage hole!
Some bowls without drainage holes do enable a modest degree of drainage since the bowl material is slightly porous, as the concrete bowl seen above. A small amount of water will pass through the walls of concrete, terra cotta, and unglazed pottery bowls. These are suitable options for succulent indoor gardening.
Because they are non-porous, glass and plastic bowls will prevent air or water from passing through the walls. Avoid overwatering your succulent glass bowl when learning how to plant succulents in glass containers! Health problems with succulent bowls are typically caused by overwatering rather than underwatering. Succulents have evolved to require very little water to survive!
Although there are many suggestions for growing succulents in glass in this article, Miniature Terrariums: Tiny Glass Container Gardens Using Easy-to-Grow Plants and Inexpensive Glassware is a great source for even more details. It is definitely worth reading.
Watering Succulent Glass Bowl Gardens
The simplest way to ruin your succulent terrarium is to overwater it. When watering the plant, keep in mind that you don’t have to completely wet the dirt in the bowl. Succulents are adept at locating and utilizing the meager amounts of water that are present in the soil near their roots. If your succulent appears unhappy and you’ve recently watered it, it’s probably drowning.
What steps can you take to prevent overwatering your succulent glass bowl? Once you’ve planted it, weigh the bowl to determine how heavy it is. A few days later, pick up the planted glass bowl of succulents to see if it has lost any weight. In contrast to times of high humidity, dry weather may cause it to dry out more quickly.
Wait until the potted glass bowl of succulents weighs considerably less than it did at first. After that, lightly water it. You don’t have to completely saturate the ground! Simply soak the dirt at the succulent’s base. The succulent will come across the liquid. Succulent plants require water and air for their roots to function properly.
Should I put succulents in an open terrarium or a closed one?
It’s wonderful to make terrariums, but your first thought presumably is, “Which plants should I chose for my terrarium?” The best plants for both open and closed terrariums will be discussed in this essay. Around 60 of the best plants for open and closed terrariums, including those that thrive in cramped conditions and can withstand high humidity and temperature swings, will be included on this list.
Air plants, or Tillandsia
Since they are epiphytes, air plants may survive without soil. For survival, these plants glue themselves to a host. Through their leaves, they take up water. For a number of reasons, air plants work best in open terrariums. One of them is that your air plant needs to be watered pretty frequently—about twice a week (apart from misting).
It is better to submerge air plants in water to water them, but this will be difficult in a confined terrarium. A few times a week removal of the plant will destroy the pattern. Because air plants don’t enjoy humidity or being wet, they are better suited for open terrariums. You must dry the plant after submerging it in water before putting it back in a terrarium.
You can utilize a variety of air plant species. The lengthy leaves that emerge from the core of air plants give them an incredibly gorgeous appearance. Top Tillandsia for terrariums include:
- Xerographic Tillandsia
- ionantha T.
- Houston
- Guatemala
- Tectorum
- Scaposa
- Aeranthos
- Stricta
- Peach, or capitata
- Caput-medusae
- Streptophylla
- Hondurensis
For your open terrariums, you can get a single air plant or a small collection similar to this. Here is a detailed guide to taking care of tillandsias.
Succulents
The best plants for open terrariums are succulents. To prevent overwatering succulents, be cautious when watering them. Succulents prefer drying out in between waterings and bright, indirect light. Ensure that the terrarium containing the succulents has an opening that is at least modest to medium in size. The following succulents make excellent terrarium plants:
- Jade tree (Crassula ovata). Deserts are where jade plants, which have heavy leaves, are found in nature. These plants require low humidity and strong light. Jade plants come in a variety of varieties; avoid picking any that can grow to be more than 4 feet tall! Select smaller varieties like “Mini Jade” or “Hobbit.” Jade plants require direct sunlight, good airflow, and rarely watering.
- Tiger Jaws, also known as Faucaria Tigrina, is a stunning plant with spiky leaves and star-shaped rosettes.
- Chickens and hens (Sempervivum). Chicks surround the main hen plant in these attractive succulent plants called “hens and chicks.” Hens and chicks can be used jointly or individually. They should only be planted in an open terrarium because higher humidity containers will cause them to decay.
- Aloe Vera, also known as the “medicine plant,” is a widely common plant with sharp leaves.
- the Chocolate Soldier, or Kalanchoe tomentosa
- Kalanchoe luciae, or the flapjack plant
- Ghost Plant, or Graptopetalum
- Alpine Aloe
- Haworthia, or the Zebra plant, has stunning leaves with striped surfaces.
- Sedum morganianum, often known as burro’s tail, has leaves that resemble beads.
- Gasteria
- Beautiful little round plants called lithops have a stone-like appearance. Read more here about Lithops care.
Cacti, or cactuses
Cacti need to be dry in order to look their best in terrariums. In closed terrariums with high humidity and poor airflow, these plants won’t survive. Make sure the container has a medium to large opening when making cactus terrariums. Because many cacti grow very enormous when they are fully mature, only choose little ones.
Baby tears, or Soleirolia soleirolii
a really lovely plant with leaves that have spots of various colors. These plants thrive in humid settings and adore dampness.
The adorable strawberry begonias are the ideal flowers for open terrariums. Be cautious because they require open terrariums with dry foliage. If not, the plant will begin to wilt.
Using croton plants, you may make incredible terrarium designs. You will need to prune these plants because they grow pretty tall. Make sure to grow them in terrariums with open doors. This plant will do well in Wardian case terrariums.
Best plants for closed terrariums (or better those with small openings):
It is always a good idea to have at least a little gap in the container, even though you can make a terrarium that is completely closed. Fully closed terrariums can fog up, make it difficult to care for plants, and yet result in rotting roots. Small, spherical glass spheres like this are the most common containers that produce lovely patterns.
There are many different types of bromeliad plants, and some of them enjoy warmth and humidity. The following are some of the top bromeliads for terrariums:
- Earth Star, or Cryptanthus It is the perfect plant for a sealed terrarium. They enjoy moisture, and
warmth. You can grow numerous varieties of Cryptanthus in a terrarium. Choose plants that don’t expand rapidly or get very large.
- Another lovely plant for a closed terrarium is neoregelia. Its lovely pink/violet blossom is of exceptional beauty.
- The magnificent Silver Vase plant, also known as Aechmea fasciata, has lovely flowers. This plant should be placed in a terrarium with a small to medium opening.
Long stems from this plant terminate in tiny, spherical, creamy-white blooms. They fit tall terrariums like Wardian enclosures and are ideal for humid conditions.
Popular and attractive plants like orchids work well in Wardian instances. Sphagnum moss must be present surrounding the roots of the plant.
The majority of carnivorous plants thrive in moist, nutrient-poor environments. For this reason, insect-eating plants capture them and consume them to obtain nutrition. These fascinating plants thrive in humid environments and intense direct sunlight.
Both open and closed terrariums are capable of supporting carnivorous plant growth. The only issue you might run into with carnivorous plants in tight terrariums is feeding them—they can have trouble collecting insects. You can either choose a terrarium with a tiny entrance or give your carnivorous plants their food by hand. Following are some of the top carnivorous plants for terrariums:
- Venus flytrap is a potential choice, but it will need to hibernate over the winter.
- The Tropical Pitcher Plants, often known as Nepenthes. Given that they grow very large, they might not be the greatest for small terrariums. Large terrariums can be used for planting plants, but the proper temperatures must be maintained. Nepenthes come in two varieties: Highlanders and Lowlanders. You may need to heat the terrarium during the day and chill it at night, depending on the type.
- Sarracenia, or American Pitcher Plants Since the majority of them grow huge and require winter dormancy, they are not the greatest plants for terrariums. However, you can choose Sarracenia for a terrarium, such as S. rubra or S. purpurea (purple pitcher plant). Select young plants, and make sure to give them a winter dormant period.
- Drosera, or sundews. For the winter dormancy, you must remove them, although they require bright light.
- Heliamphora, or Sun Pitchers. They enjoy high humidity, but they also require colder temperatures, as the nighttime temperature drops.
- Follicular Cephalotus Note that during the winter they require chilly temperatures.
- Pinguicula or butterworts
- Utricularia, or bladderworts
- Drosophyllum lusitanicum, also known as Dewy Pine, but only in an open terrarium. They require excellent ventilation and bright lighting.
The majority of ferns are quite hardy and can withstand high humidity. Ferns give any terrarium depth. The following ferns make excellent terrarium plants:
- Bird’s nest fern (Aspleniumnidus)
- Little Holly Fern
- Hemionitis arifolia, sometimes known as heart fern
Nerve plants prefer high humidity, therefore they will do best in a closed container or, preferable, one with a tiny aperture. You must routinely monitor the soil’s moisture because they dislike soggy dirt.
Mosses are a wonderful addition to terrariums that are closed. You can utilize a wide range of mosses, such as moss balls or Golden Club moss plants.
Pilea microphylla, often known as artillery ferns, are stunning plants that are simple to grow and maintain in terrariums. They enjoy moist environments and direct, bright light. Additionally, the seeds shoot out with a popping sound!
High humidity and indirect light are favorable to creeping fig. It is a fairly resilient plant, but because it grows so quickly, you will need to clip it frequently.
High relative humidity and direct light are favorable to pothos plants. Additionally, they enjoy warm temperatures of about 70 degrees, so in the winter, be sure to keep them away from windowsills that are too cold. However, you will also need to constantly clip its leaves, so think about getting a terrarium with a little hole.