How to Build a Tabletop Terrarium Garden: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Build a Tabletop Terrarium Garden

Create your own miniature ecosystem with this comprehensive guide to designing, building, and maintaining beautiful terrarium gardens.

What is a Terrarium?

A terrarium is a miniature garden enclosed in a glass container. It creates a unique microclimate where plants can thrive with minimal maintenance. Terrariums are perfect for small spaces and make excellent decorative pieces for your home or office.

Terrariums work by mimicking nature’s water cycle in a contained environment. Whether open or closed, they provide an elegant way to bring nature indoors.

Types of Terrariums

Closed Terrariums

Self-sustaining ecosystem with its own water cycle
Requires minimal watering (few times per year)
Ideal for tropical plants that love humidity
Needs indirect light

Best for: Ferns, mosses, fittonias, and other humidity-loving plants

Open Terrariums

Better air circulation with no lid
Requires regular watering (weekly or as needed)
Ideal for plants that prefer drier conditions
Can tolerate more direct light

Best for: Succulents, cacti, air plants, and other drought-tolerant plants

Materials You’ll Need

Container

Glass jar, bowl, or vase
Fish bowl or tank
Glass cloche or terrarium container
Choose clear glass with an opening large enough for your hand

Layering Materials

Small pebbles or gravel
Activated charcoal
Sphagnum moss
Potting soil (ideally terrarium or houseplant mix)

Tools & Decorations

Long tweezers or chopsticks
Small spoon or scoop
Spray bottle with water
Decorative items: Stones, figurines, driftwood

Best Plants for Terrariums

Choose plants that grow slowly and stay relatively small. Consider the light conditions and whether you’re building an open or closed terrarium.

Fittonia (Nerve Plant)

Perfect for closed terrariums, these colorful plants love humidity and indirect light.

Moss Varieties

Add texture and lush greenery. Excellent for creating a natural forest floor look.

Small Ferns

Button fern, maidenhair fern, and rabbit’s foot fern work well in closed terrariums.

Peperomia

Compact with attractive foliage, these adaptable plants work in both open and closed terrariums.

Small Succulents

Ideal for open terrariums. Choose compact varieties that won’t outgrow the space.

Air Plants (Tillandsia)

Perfect for open terrariums as they need good air circulation and occasional misting.

Pro Tip: Choose plants with similar care requirements for best results. Don’t mix humidity-loving plants with succulents!

Terrarium Layering Technique

Layer 1: Drainage (1-2 inches)

Small pebbles or gravel to collect excess water and prevent root rot.

Layer 2: Activated Charcoal (1/2 inch)

Filters water and prevents bacteria growth and odors.

Layer 3: Sphagnum Moss (1/2 inch)

Acts as a barrier to keep soil from falling into drainage layer.

Layer 4: Soil (2-3 inches)

Potting mix for houseplants or specialized terrarium soil.

Step-by-Step Building Process

Step 1: Prepare Your Container

Clean your glass container thoroughly with mild soap and water. Dry it completely to prevent water spots and ensure clarity.

Step 2: Add the Drainage Layer

Pour 1-2 inches of small pebbles or gravel into the bottom of your container. This forms the drainage layer that will collect excess water.

Step 3: Add Activated Charcoal

Sprinkle a thin layer (about ½ inch) of activated charcoal over the drainage layer. This helps filter the water and prevent bacterial growth and odors.

Step 4: Add Sphagnum Moss

Place a thin layer of sphagnum moss over the charcoal. This serves as a barrier to keep the soil from sifting down into the drainage layer.

Step 5: Add Potting Soil

Add 2-3 inches of potting soil on top of the moss layer. Use a well-draining mix suitable for indoor plants or a specialized terrarium soil mix.

Step 6: Prepare Your Plants

Remove plants from their nursery containers and gently shake off excess soil. Trim any damaged roots and leaves. If plants are too large, divide them to fit your terrarium.

Step 7: Create Planting Holes

Make small depressions in the soil for each plant. Use chopsticks or long tweezers to help position plants in hard-to-reach areas.

Step 8: Plant Your Greenery

Place taller plants toward the back or center, with smaller plants in front. Leave space between plants for growth and air circulation.

Step 9: Add Decorative Elements

Arrange decorative stones, driftwood, or figurines to create a pleasing landscape. This adds visual interest and creates microhabitats within your terrarium.

Step 10: Water and Close (if applicable)

Lightly mist the plants and soil with water. For closed terrariums, secure the lid after watering. For open terrariums, leave as is.

Terrarium Maintenance Tips

Closed Terrarium Care

Watering:
Only water a few times a year. If there’s no condensation visible on the glass, add a small amount of water.
Light:
Place in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can overheat the terrarium.
Temperature:
Keep between 15-24°C (60-75°F) for optimal growth.
Pruning:
Trim plants every few months to prevent overcrowding and maintain shape.

Open Terrarium Care

Watering:
Check soil weekly. Water when the top inch feels dry, using a spray bottle for even distribution.
Light:
Most open terrariums can handle brighter light, especially if they contain succulents or cacti.
Dust:
Gently dust leaves and glass surfaces periodically to maintain clarity and plant health.
Fertilizer:
Apply very diluted fertilizer 2-3 times per year (1/4 strength of regular houseplant fertilizer).

Signs Your Terrarium Needs Attention

Excessive Condensation:

If the glass is constantly foggy, open the lid to allow some moisture to escape.

Yellow or Brown Leaves:

Remove dead foliage promptly to prevent rot and fungal growth.

Mold Growth:

Remove affected areas, improve air circulation, and reduce watering frequency.

Leggy Growth:

Plants stretching toward light source may need more light or pruning.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem	Possible Cause	Solution
Foggy glass	Excess humidity	Remove lid temporarily to allow some moisture to evaporate
Plant rot	Overwatering or poor drainage	Remove affected plants, ensure drainage layer is sufficient
Mold or fungus	Stagnant air, high humidity	Remove affected areas, add more charcoal, improve ventilation
Plants turning yellow	Too much light or water issues	Move to appropriate light conditions, adjust watering
Plants growing too large	Natural growth or wrong plant selection	Trim regularly or replace with smaller species

Creative Terrarium Ideas

Woodland Theme

Create a miniature forest with moss, ferns, and small woodland figurines. Add tiny mushrooms and a pebble path.

Desert Oasis

Combine small succulents with colorful sand layers and decorative stones for a striking desert landscape.

Tropical Paradise

Fill with colorful tropical plants like fittonias, small calatheas, and peperomias for a lush jungle feel.

Fairy Garden

Add tiny fairy houses, miniature benches, and a small pond to create a whimsical fairy garden terrarium.

Japanese Zen

Create a miniature zen garden with small rocks, moss, and a tiny rake for making patterns in sand.

Holiday Theme

Design seasonal terrariums with holiday-themed decorations that can be changed throughout the year.

Final Thoughts

Creating a tabletop terrarium is a rewarding way to bring a piece of nature into your home or workspace. With minimal maintenance, these miniature gardens can thrive for years, providing beauty and a sense of tranquility.

“In a terrarium, you create a world of your own design – a miniature ecosystem that reflects your creativity while connecting you to the natural world. Happy Gardening….”