Terrariums are a beautiful addition to the home, but you’ll need to maintain them if you want to keep them looking lovely and healthy. Shannon Robinson from De Vine Terrariums shares tips on how to look after a closed and open terrarium…
Terrarium plants require high light but no direct sunlight.
Preserving a closed terrarium
1. The plants in a closed terrarium require high light but no direct sunlight.
2. Check the terrarium frequently for the appearance of condensation on the glass. If large water drops appear on the glass, the container should be left open for a while, until excess moisture evaporates. In some cases, it may be necessary to keep the lid slightly open to allow fresh air circulation.
However, keep in mind that a balanced terrarium should have a certain amount of moisture on the glass.
3. A completely enclosed terrarium requires little or no watering but when in doubt, always water less. If you can see water within the pebbles at the bottom, there is way too much water.
Be careful that the plants do not become too dry because they will wilt.
4. When you do add water, do so in small amounts at a time, since there is no place for the surplus water to run off. It’s best to water with a syringe, small dropper or misting spray bottle. If you do mist, then leave the container open until the leaves have dried.
5. If the leaves show signs of rotting, leave the container open.
6. Only water with bottled or distilled water, or tap water that has been left out for 24 hours to allow the chlorine to evaporate.
7. Generally, terrariums should not need fertilising but if the plants start to appear malnourished, you may feed them using a weak mixture (1/4 strength) of an all purpose house plant food.
When water is needed, it should only be added in small doses with a syringe, small dropper or misting spray.
8. Occasionally it may become necessary to prune or to replace a dead plant.
Managing open terrariums
1. The plants in your terrarium require high light but should never be exposed to direct sunlight.
2. Open terrariums may have to be watered on a weekly or alternate week basis (more often for completely open terrariums or dish gardens).
3. When water is needed, it should only be added in small doses with a syringe, small dropper or misting spray.
4. Open terrariums should also, only be watered with bottled or distilled water, or tap water that has been left out for 24 hours to allow the chlorine to evaporate.
5. Use a weak mixture of all purpose house plant food to fertilise your bottled garden.
6. Open terrariums may need to be pruned occasionally as well.
Although confined plants, both enclosed and open, tend to grow slowly, any plant that has outgrown its environment should be replaced.
Diseased plants should be removed immediately and if any mildew or mould develops remove the object and rinse before replacing.
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