The technique of planting terrariums has been around for hundreds of years. In fact, terrariums enjoyed a resurgence in the 1970's. Now they're back in fashion again. With the variety of glass houses available, you can grow some great-looking gardens under glass.
First, you need to find a container for your terrarium. It can be a fishbowl, an aquarium or a conservatory--anything without drainage holes in the bottom of the container. To provide drainage, line the bottom of the glass container with a layer of pea gravel. Add a layer of charcoal (available from your local garden center) with the gravel. The charcoal acts as a filter, keeping the water clean and the plants healthy.
After adding charcoal, put in a layer of regular potting soil or soilless mixture. Just make sure it's sterilized. Add a layer that is 2-1/2 to 3 inches thick.
The next step is to add plant material. Select ones that thrive in moist or humid conditions. Some examples of ideal terrarium plants include ferns, baby tears and other tropical plants. Randomly place your plants within the terrarium. Don't worry a lot about it--just be creative and have fun. Then select a few trinkets to place in the aquarium and create a miniature landscape.
At this point, technically, you're done, but if you don't like the look of exposed soil, you can cover it up by adding a layer of bark chips, some additional pea gravel or moss. Add the lid to cover, and you're finished.
Caring for your terrarium is fairly simple. There are just a few tips to remember. Place your terrarium in indirect light. Make sure to water it every month or so, prune the plants on a regular basis and fertilize with a water-soluble fertilizer once a month. If you notice that the glass remains foggy, it means there's too much moisture inside. You'll want to lift the cover and let the plants air out just a bit.
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