Eight Terrarium Tips For Beginners

Starting a terrarium is an exciting project, but it can be a lot of work to set up and maintain. That’s because a lot can go wrong, but only if you don’t prepare properly. Luckily, we assembled a list of eight essential terrarium tips for beginners.

First and foremost, your terrarium will only thrive if you establish a healthy, robust substrate. Nutrient availability is the most important part of a healthy substrate, which is why coco coir and peat moss are essential. It’s also important to pick low-maintenance plants that do well in a damp environment.

Otherwise, you must constantly remove the lid to let moisture escape. Follow along as we highlight eight essential tips to ensure your new terrarium thrives.

How To Make And Maintain A Terrarium

1. Pick A Container

If you’re new to terrariums, choosing the right type may seem difficult. Luckily, there are only two kinds to choose from: open and closed. Each have benefits, but the best option for you depends on your goals. For example, an open terrarium is a great if you want to use drought-tolerant plants. A closed terrarium is better for plants that need as much moisture as possible.

Water doesn’t evaporate nearly as quickly in a closed terrarium, which makes it perfect for moss. An open terrarium requires more maintenance because it gets dirty faster than a closed one. You may want to consider a closed terrarium if you have a cat, as they can easily access them. Once you pick a terrarium container, you can move on to the next step.

2. Establish A Strong Base And Substrate

A terrarium can only succeed if you create a strong, versatile substrate. This will allow healthy growth and drainage, both of which are vital to a terrarium’s microclimate. First, you need a good drainage layer such as expanded clay, gravel, or lava rock. Lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) is the best option, and you can easily find it online.

For the substrate, many people use a mixture of coco coir, orchid bark, and peat moss. It helps to mix in worm castings to introduce key nutrients such as nitrogen and potassium. Think of the substrate as an anchoring medium that supports roots and provides nutrients. Without it, the plants will struggle to grow, and the terrarium won’t reach its full potential.

3. Introduce Plants

Now you can introduce plants to your terrarium. The ideal picks will depend on your taste and which type of terrarium you have. For example, many people put air plants, cacti, and succulents in an open terrariums. They’re perfect for this type of container because it doesn't retain too much moisture. A closed terrarium is much better for moisture-loving plants, such as orchids and nerve plants.

Many people also use various mosses, which do best in a closed terrarium. Moss helps naturally regulate the humidity in a terrarium, which is useful if you have orchids and ferns in the container. Sheet moss, cushion moss, Spanish moss, and Java moss are especially great in a closed terrarium.

4. Maintain Moisture

Keeping things moist is the name of the game in a terrarium. Naturally, the ideal amount of moisture for you will depend on the type of plants you have. You don’t want an open terrarium to get too damp if it has cacti and succulents in it. On the flip side, a closed terrarium retains moisture well, but you can harm the plants if you fail to supplement it as needed. Check the soil to see if you need to spritz the tank.

You don’t need to use more than a spray bottle in most cases, or else you may contribute to the growth of mold and mildew. More importantly, you can easily smother your plants’ roots if they are overwatered. Terrarium soil looks dark when wet, so only water it when it’s lighter. You can always add more moisture, but you can’t easily remove it.

5. Clean The Glass

While moisture is normal for terrariums, it's important to prevent mold growth. Otherwise, mold and algae will run rampant throughout your terrarium. Once a month, thoroughly wipe the glass with a lint-free microfiber cloth or paper towel. Carefully remove dirt, dust, and debris that may contribute to mold and algae.

You only need to wet the cloth, as using harsh chemicals is not a good idea. Doing so can damage plants, taint the substrate, and harm your terrarium pets. You may want to clean the glass more often if you keep small pets in your terrarium, such as lizards and snakes. Naturally, cleaning a closed terrarium takes a bit more work.

6. Prune Plants And Manage Dead Growth

Just like any garden, you must prune the plants in your terrarium to promote healthy growth. Regularly remove dead and fallen leaves that litter the floor in your terrarium. Doing so can ensure its energy is directed toward healthy growth. Pruning is also about aesthetics, as you want your terrarium to look as good as possible. That said, you must be careful not to remove too much plant matter, or you may harm the plant. You can accidentally kill it by removing more than 25% of the foliage.

7. Experiment With Lighting

Many people use indirect natural light for their terrariums, and that’s quite effective. However, it helps to experiment with lighting to see what works best for your terrarium and the plants inside of it. It’s important to pay attention to how the sunlight enters your home. For example, some windows may have bright, undisturbed, direct light for hours. That may be too much for your terrarium, which is bad news for the plants.

Conversely, many people put their terrarium near north or east-facing windows with indirect light. This will support the plants without overwhelming and burning them. You must remember that terrariums are made from glass, so it can get hot quickly. Experiemnt with your terrarium’s position until you find the perfect natural lighting setup.

8. Air it Out

Air exchange is important for a terrarium, but many people neglect it. Ideally, open the lid for a few minutes when you water droplets on the glass. This will help promote healthy air exchange, which is great for your plants. It will also help prevent mold and mildew from growing in your terrarium. This isn’t a real issue with open terrariums, but it’s essential with a closed one.

Granted, you can’t easily air out your terrarium if you have certain pets, like a lizard and snakes. In that case, you can install a mesh barrier to promote airflow without your pets escaping. You can also temporarily place a strip of cheesecloth on top of the terrarium after removing the lid.

What To Do If You Find Mold In Your Terrarium

Remove the lid of the terrarium for a few hours to air it out if you find mold. Wear a respirator and gloves, and manually wipe away the mold. If you’re not comfortable with that, you can put springtails in your terrarium to get rid of the mold.

Springtails are some of the most beneficial insects, and they eat mold and other unwanted materials. This is a safe option, as they won’t release airborne spores like you would by wiping mold off the glass. Using springtails to remove mold from your terrarium is entertaining to watch with rewarding results.

Summing It Up

Create a substrate using coco coir, orchid bark, LECA, and peat moss to promote healthy growth in your terrarium. Pick plants and mosses that suit your aesthetic and the type of terrarium you have. Only water when the substrate is dry, or else you will increase the risk of mold, mildew, and algae growth.

Related Guides:

• How To Create A Self-Sustaining Terrarium
• How To Get Rid Of Gnats In Your Terrarium