Dirty Buttons

Terrarium Station

by Lord Whimsy

How is a plant lover to stay sane during the cooler months? Terrarium gardens!

Terrarium gardens are self-contained, miniature worlds. The most appealing feature to most people is that they require very little attention once they’re set up. They’re a great solution for people who have very little time to maintain plants.

First we must select a glass container with a lid, which can take just about any form: aquariums, bottles or brandy snifters. It can be something as grand as a Victorian Wardian case or as modest as a cookie jar from Target. I’ve found some unusual glass containers at Marshalls and Pier 1, which are always putting such items on clearance—but of course thrift stores are also a great resource for interesting glass. If you want something very special, look into glass artist Andy Paiko’s grand apothecary vitrines at andypaikoglass.com or Paula Hayes’ retro-futuristic biomorphic terrarium blobs at paulahayes.com.

We must first clean the container very thoroughly with hot soapy water to be sure that very little bacteria or fungi spores remain.

Next we place an inch-thick layer of small pebbles in the bottom of the terrarium: this will provide proper water drainage for your plants. To keep the soil above from settling down among the stones, place a bit of cheesecloth or a coffee filter over the stones.

Place a thin layer of activated charcoal (available at most pet stores) over the cheesecloth/coffee filter. This will help absorb any toxins that build up in the soil from decomposing matter.

Next use a paper funnel to pour in two or three inches of sterilized potting soil mix. Note that all of the aforementioned layers should only take up about a fourth of the container’s height.

Now the fun part: selecting your plants. Be mindful that the plants you place into a terrarium together must like a similar environment. Garden centers start stocking more houseplants this time of year, so it’s a good time to look around. The most commonly used plants tend to be non-flowering, slow-growing tropicals or ferns known for their foliage. Swedish ivy, maidenhair fern, wintergreen, club moss, African violet, polka dot plant and their ilk are all common terrarium plants.

Trim off any dead growth before you plant—it’s a dinner bell for fungi. Use a wooden spoon or small stick to gently place the plants in a suitable composition. Water the terrarium by pouring along the sides. Too much moisture on their foliage can cause problems. If the plants you’ve selected like humid environments, use a lid to trap moisture. This is a great way to maintain humidity-loving plants that would otherwise perish in dry winter air. Be sure to open the lid on occasion to allow for evaporation and air movement. When no condensation is seen on the glass is usually the time to water—but sparingly.

Don’t use fertilizer or your plants will quickly outgrow your environment.

Better to keep them tidy in your own little world, my darlings.