After several years of activity and experience, we realized that certain elements were no longer mandatory, here is an update concerning the elements and steps to compose your own terrarium DIY. And it’s quite simple to make! You can buy our DIY kit here

The equipment necessary to compose a terrarium

• Glass jar with cork, glass or wooden lid

• Pot La Green Touch

• Pozzolan

• Sphagnum

• mini plants

• Foam Ball

• Decorative pebbles

• Some homemade tools: A soup spoon, chopsticks, a pair of scissors, a brush or our tools here

1. The choice of the glass jar

The jar used should not be chosen at random, it must be adapted to the plants you select. If you use a jar that is too narrow, your plants will not be able to flourish in it or you risk repotting them a few months later in a larger jar. The glass must be completely transparent and slightly thick in order to let the light pass through. On the other hand, the opening must be wide enough for handling, when installing the plants and then for maintenance. If it is a jar found in your attic, remember to rinse it well and clean it with a clean cloth.

Discover a selection of our jars here

2. Steps to follow

The basement: Drainage

The drainage system is very important for all plants, but even more so for a terrarium, because, with no water evacuation possible, drainage becomes fundamental. It thus prevents the roots from being in direct contact with the water.

To do this, it is best to use pozzolan (volcanic rock), but if you have gravel or small clay balls at home it's possible too. Spread this drainage layer evenly approximately 1 and a half cm in height.

The soil: Substrate

Before adding the potting soil, you will integrate the sphagnum moss, which will absorb maximum humidity (up to 8 times its volume!). Sphagnum moss also helps prevent the development of bacteria thanks to its very high acidity level.
You can then incorporate the potting soil using a funnel or a small shovel. You will stop when your jar is 1/3 full.

Choice of plants to compose your terrarium

Before integrating your plants, imagine your miniature landscape from the outside, integrating although a terrarium must be admired from the front and not seen from above. You should therefore ideally combine 1 tall plant and 1 or 2 small plants depending on the size of your jar.
Consult our top 10 plants to use in terrarium here.

You can also create a small hill, with for example 2-3 cm of earth at the front and 4-5 cm at the back.

Dig using a tablespoon where you want to plant your plants.

Scrape the root ball of your first small plant, paying attention to the roots so as to remove a good part of its substrate, moisten it if the roots are too dry then plant it in your terrarium. Be careful, the leaves of the plant must not touch the wall of the jar. Repeat the operation for all your plants.

Also add a ball moss which will not only bring a hilly side to your indoor garden, but above all will allow  to check the humidity rate of terrarium. As soon as the moss turns yellow, it will be time to water it.

Finally, finish with a decorative touch by integrating a few small pebbles or pebbles that you have previously cleaned.

And there you have it, your terrarium moist is ready :)

Note: Although the terrarium is almost self-sufficient and requires very little maintenance, the few small actions to be carried out afterwards are very important, so don't forget to follow our practical guide here.