We’ve seen terrarium tutorials everywhere, from lifestyle magazines to home-improvement sites, so we wanted to try a simple glass terrarium of our own. Traditional terrariums often involve multiple layers—pebbles for drainage, activated charcoal for freshness, moss and soil—but we opted for a much simpler approach that’s been thriving for over a month. We waited a while before sharing the process to be sure the plant stayed healthy, and happily our small feathery fern is doing great in its little glass enclosure in the guest bedroom.
Most terrarium guides recommend layers of soil, moss and pebbles and sometimes materials like distilled water or activated charcoal. We created a cozy indoor greenhouse for a single fern using only two inexpensive items: a dinner plate as a base and an $11 glass hurricane from Ikea as the cover.
We chose a small potted “Fluffy Ruffle Fern” from Home Depot, a plant that prefers a moist environment—ideal candidates for this kind of setup include ferns, orchids or even a Venus flytrap. Place the pot on the dinner plate, then flip the hurricane upside down and lower it over the plant to form an enclosed microclimate. Make sure to pick a plant small enough to fit comfortably under the glass without its leaves pressed against the lid; a little room for air circulation helps avoid crowding and stress.
Because the glass traps moisture, the terrarium stays humid and needs very little additional watering. We do remove the glass occasionally if it becomes overly fogged or damp to give the plant some fresh air. Even plants that enjoy terrarium conditions can benefit from brief breaks; lifting the cover for a few minutes once a week prevents the environment from becoming excessively soggy.
Here’s a top view of our fern—looking content and well-suited to its little home.
Other glass containers work equally well for terrariums. Apothecary jars, oversized glass jugs or any clear vessel with room for a plant can create an attractive miniature garden. Whether you prefer the full layered method with charcoal and drainage or a minimalist plate-and-hurricane approach, terrariums are a fun way to bring a bit of green indoors. Do you have a terrarium at home, or are you tempted to make one? We’d love to hear what type of setup you enjoy.
Interested in more terrarium information? There are many helpful how-to videos and guides available for those who want to explore the full range of terrarium styles and techniques.