Every once in a while you come to a point where you want to do something to spruce up your apartment. The first thing you probably think of is adding a splash of color by repainting the walls and rearranging the furniture in your living room. Then you would most likely add some decorations all over the apartment such as rugs and multicolored throw pillows and hang up wall ornaments like wallpaper and tapestries. Whatever you decide to do is considered a portrayal of your personality and a reflection of your interests and passions.

However, one decor idea that most homeowners forget to add is greenery. Plants make you feel closer to the outside world providing you with a sense of relaxation and peacefulness that only nature brings. One small piece of greenery that can definitely freshen up your apartment is the terrarium. So, if you are new to all this, here is everything you need to know on how to make a terrarium to liven up your apartment using nothing but your time and creativity.

What is a terrarium?

Before we go further, we must explain what terrariums are. Actually, they are defined as miniature gardens which are housed in small, transparent containers like bottles and jars. In earlier days, this small piece of greenery came about from a botany accident in Victorian London where it became a new trend that exists to this day. In fact, they were first called Wardian cases after the famous botanist who is considered responsible for their occurrence. Terrariums come in all shapes and sizes which are basically dictated by the plants you want to grow in them. There are two types, mainly open and closed terrariums. The open terrariums are perfect for plants that don’t require much moisture, while the closed ones are in fact miniaturized ecosystems that provide all necessities to grow plants. Now that you know the basic information about terrariums, let’s take a look at everything you need to create your beautiful piece of greenery.

The supplies you need

You may be surprised, but making a terrarium takes less than an hour with just a few materials. The most important supplies you need are stones or pebbles, activated charcoal, potting soil, a glass vessel, gardening tools, and most importantly, your plants. Since this is considered a DIY project, it doesn’t need to be expensive. Your glass vessels come in all kinds of shapes and sizes which you can find at discount stores and flea markets. However, when you are buying them, make sure that they are transparent. The stones and pebbles serve as the base and assist in water drainage. The activated charcoal is used for keeping the water fresh and preventing bacterial growth. For your potting soil, there are many mixes you can choose from that will work perfectly. Lastly, the plants will be usually small houseplants that also don’t cost much. There are many plants that look perfect in these containers such as echeveria, ferns, and moss among others. Just keep in mind that you need to keep them healthy by mimicking their natural environment so they will thrive.

Step-by-step guidance

Once you have gathered all your supplies, the next step is assembling them. As mentioned earlier, making your terrarium doesn’t take very long, so here is a five-step guide you can follow to design your perfect miniature garden.

Step 1: Choose your glass container. Make sure it is clean and that it has a big enough opening so you can easily put your hand in to lay out the pebbles and stones.

Step 2: Add a layer of the activated charcoal. You don’t need much of this, so about ½ inch will do to cover the rocks.

Step 3: Add enough soil so the plant roots will have plenty of space to fit and grow. Also, make sure you go for a depth that is a bit greater than the height of the plant.

Step 4: No matter what plant you have chosen, start by planting the largest one first. Make a hole in the soil so the plant’s roots can fit. Finally, nestle the plant into the soil.

Step 5: Add some extra pebbles and stones to complement the look of the terrarium. This is the step where you can play with the arrangement of the rocks and create many different looks for your greenery.

Taking care of your terrarium

Once you have created your terrarium, you must take proper care of it. Bringing in sunlight on the glass container and watering it are two essential things you need to do so your terrarium can thrive. Make sure you also check the soil to see if it is dry. You will usually need to check it every couple of weeks to see if it needs more water. If you have a closed container, take the top off every once in a while to air it out. Pull off any yellowing or damaged leaves and prune the plants if they grow too much.

Benefits of making a terrarium

Besides looking beautiful, there are other benefits of making terrariums. First off, they require minimal space making them a versatile option for all homes. They are perfect if you want a garden in your home, but you lack the outdoor space. They are also easy to look after, so you don’t have to worry about them when you are away on a holiday. Terrariums also serve as a decorative item which you can place in any room of your home. Since there are endless ways to arrange them, you have the opportunity to show your creativity. And finally, if you ever run out of ideas as a gift for Mother’s days or birthdays, giving someone a terrarium will certainly do the trick.

Final thoughts

Painting the walls and rearranging the furniture aren’t the only ways to give your home a fresh, new look. Adding small pieces of greenery like terrariums will certainly work perfectly in any room. As you can see, making a terrarium is an easy task which requires little work. All you need to do is gather all the necessary supplies and unleash your creativity. There are plenty of arrangements you can do to create a beautiful terrarium to liven up your apartment. So, if you are up for an easy DIY project, use this guide to help you make the perfect miniature garden for your home.