Not Your Grandma's Terrarium

Terrariums are one of the must haves in today's hippest living rooms.  They're all over design magazines, blogs and the chicest of home stores.  Great to know, right?!  So next time just pick one up....the issue is they carry a HUGE price tag, anywhere from $90 to $200!  So, here's my guide to making your own for just a fraction of the cost but with a full return on coolness.

MATERIALS

Glass container

Gravel, pebbles or rocks

Horticultural charcoal

Moss

Plants

Accessories

Your container choice is very important.  You want a vessel that has clean lines and a contemporary shape to make your terrarium of this century.  Try unusual shapes or something that is unexpected.

STEPS

Start with a layer of your pebbles or gravel.  This will allow a place for the water to gather away from the plants roots.  There are many different choices when it comes to this layer.  I liked using white rocks on some for a very mid-century look and larger river rocks for others.

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Now, for the cool white rock terrarium above, I just stopped there.  I sloped the rocks at a rakish angle and just added three air plants - simple, clean and modern.  But, I digress....

Next, add a layer of the moss.  This will keep your materials from falling down into your rock layer and adds a nice band of green.

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On top of that add a layer of charcoal.  This will help to keep the air in the terrarium clean as well as cut down on bacteria.

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The final layer is your soil.  Make sure your soil matches what your going to plant, cactus medium, orchid mix, or regular potting soil.

Now, get to planting!  You do want to make sure you are using plants that will thrive indoors.  Group your plants by water needs per terrarium - that is don't put high water plants in the same terrarium with low water pants.  Also, you want a variety of textures, leaf types, and growth habits.

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I find that a table or tea spoon is quite helpful during planting as a mini-trowel.  Also a chopstick or skewer is great to help adjust things slightly and poke them into place

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And, finally, add any little accents for detail.  Crushed rock makes a nice patch, also, I have a soft spot for mini-statuary.

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Now, keep and eye on your new mini-eden.  Most terrariums fall prey to too much water - so be stingy until you know who much your plants are going to want.  Keep any dead leaves cleared out and every now and then go in an snip off any wayward branches.

Now, you are officially hip.