Terrariums

[PeaceLoveAndCandy]

Hello. I have been given a couple of lovely empty terrariums and I was wondering where to get the 'ingredients' online, as in the soil, moss, plant, etc that's needed? Can anyone help with this? Cheers.

Northampton reptile centre.

It's just for a cactus or a succulent, not a reptile!

Please don’t plant cacti or succulents in a terrarium, they are plants of arid places, and don’t do well in enclosed containers. They require full sun generally, and air movement, and usually rot in terrariums. There are plenty of sub tropical plants that like humidity and do really well in terrariums, and your local garden centre should stock something suitable.

I have been growing cacti and succulents for over 40 years, and have many hundreds - all kept in greenhouses.

Amazon do kits with everything you need, and you can order with or without plants.

Oh, and yes, I would agree with NanTheWiser. I didn't know this at the time, but ours did not do well. I will do ferns next time, I think.

NanTheWiser I had no idea! What's the best plant to grow in a terrarium that I can get online, as obviously going to a garden centre won't be an option for quite some time yet?

@PeaceLoveAndCandy, I’m not sure what you’ll find on line, but off the top of my head a few suggestions - Fittonia, Peperomia, Pilea, small growing foliage Begonias, and Selaginella (fairy moss). Depending on whether the terrarium is open or closed at the top, it’s necessary to get the balance of humidity right - not too wet or dry. Some plants will get too large, and others might not thrive, so it’s all a bit experimental!

Many years ago, I repurposed an old fish tank for keeping humidity-loving plants (with a glass lid and lights in the hood) but it did need regular maintenance in keeping the glass clean of algae, and pruning the more rampant plants.

It would need good light, but not placed in direct sun, or the plants will cook!

if you go onto Youtube and search on making a terrarium there are lots of videos showing you the best plants for it, what soil to buy etc. (you can buy cuttings of lots of plants that you might want from etsy or ebay)

The r/terrariums group on reddit should give you lots of inspiration too.

There are online nurseries which specialise in plants for terraniums.

I've been daydreaming about having one for a while but I think my 2 and 4 year olds would turn it into a nightmare rather quickly