How to Make a terrarium

How To Make A Terrarium

Here are some great projects on making your own terrarium in a variety of different styles from a dish terrarium to a soda bottle terrarium or animal terrarium.

What is A Terrarium? A terrarium is a miniature landscape with living plants and even sometimes small animals like lizards or turtles. (But not usually people like terrarium man!)

materials for making a terrarium

The fool proof Guide to making a beautiful terrarium in 1 hour

The Fool proof guide to making a beautiful terrarium in one hour! And that includes a trip to the local nursery or Home Improvement Store

The Best Books On amazon.com

Terrarium Craft: Create 50 Magical, Miniature Worlds

Container Gardening For Dummies

Book: The New Terrarium: Creating Beautiful Displays for Plants and Nature

Amazon.com Gift Ideas in Books: Crafts & Hobbies

New: My Terrarium Making ebook

I spent eight days writing this 40 page ebook and made three terrariums specifically for it. it is my ebook: The Secret art of terrarium making: Revealed! $5.95 by paypal. Read more about it here

My latest Terrarium Making Videos
You can watch a video on how to make both of these terrariums right here on my website.

Make the Jug Terrarium	Make the Box Terrarium including how to make the box

Make an Assassin's Creed Terrarium
Here is a wonderful terrarium in a fish bowl that has a theme from a video game.

Make an Assassin's Creed Terrarium

Charlee's Terrariums
Here are a few terrariums made by Charlee including some wonderful air plant terrariums. Check them out here.

The Cookie Jar Terrarium
A terrarium can be easy and fun just like this one inside a cookie jar. See a bigger picture and hear how Shirley made this terrarium: The cookie Jar terrarium

Make a Hobbit Terrarium
FThis is a fun little terrarium with Bag End of the Shire. I even have a tutorial on how to make the little hobbit hole. Make a Hobbit Terrarium

Roberta's themed terrariums
FSome Containers from Ikea, a few materials and some neat little accents and you have a great looking terrarium. Check out the pictures here. (They include a jeep in rough terrain terrarium)

Make a Light Bulb Terrarium
Fun little project inside a household lightbulb. I show you how to open up the bulb and we use some amazing little lichen inside including pixie cups.

Make a light bulb terrarium

Make a Christmas Terrarium
Adorable little terrarium. There is a little house in there and through the window you can see a christmas tree. Fun and great little terrarium. Make a Christmas Terrarium

Tiny Glass Bottle Terrariums
Here are some tiny little terrariums made in tiny jars. They can even be hung on a necklace. Tutorial right here: Make tiny glass bottle terrariums

The "Brave" Terrarium
This cloche terrarium depicts a scene from the movie "Brave". Fun little terrarium and it even has a series of blue lights that are the wisps. The Brave Terrarium

Small Terrariums make great wedding giveaways
Here is a look at some great little terrariums that were given away at a wedding. Its a unique and wonderful idea. The wedding terrariums

A mason jar terrarium with mushrooms and fungi
Here is a gorgeous terrarium inside a blue lid mason jar. It has some wondeful splashes of mushroom and fungi color. Bigger pics here.

Moss Terrariums!

Moss terrariums are wonderful in their simplicity and beauty. And you can often make one without spending a penny. Just collect up the moss from the outdoors. Add some small accents and they become a beautiful little world. I have some pictures here and a link to my tutorial on making them. Moss terrariums.

If you never made a terrarium this is a great place to start because it is easy and attractive.

The Necklace Terrarium!

Here is a fun little project submitted by a web visitor. It uses tiny little bottles for charms or apothecary. Fun little project and you can wear it as a necklace. Amazon sells all kinds of these little bottles. They are a lot of fun. This particular bottle comes with the cork and eye screw. Make a Necklace Terrarium

The Big Screen TV Terrarium!

How's this for a terrarium project! You know those big screen tv's that really don't see much use any more? Flat screens have replaced them. But you can still use one in another way - a terrarium! Great way to recycle something like this. This project was made by a web visitor and I have lots of pics and information about how he did this project. Gotta check this out!! The Big screen Terrarium

Michelle's Terrariums and Vivariums

Michelle has sent in a bunch of pictures of her terrariums and Vivariums. These include vivariums for geckos and frogs. Some fun stuff and some wonderful terrariums. You can check it all out right here She also gives us some great tips on making vivariums and shows us the materials to use.

Ali's Terrariums

Ali is a terraruim maker at a garden center and he sent in some pics of a couple of terrariums that he has made. You can check them out here: Ali's terrariums

Make an Air Plant Terrarium

Want an easy to maintain yet attractive terrarium? Or maybe you are new to terrariums and want to start out with something simple? An Air Plant terrarium is all of these things. Attractive and easy to care for. Check out more here.

A Cloche Terrarium

Cloche and Bell Jar Terrariums have become very popular, and for good reason. They are beautiful and easy to care for. Here are some pictures of a cloche terrarium submitted by a web visitor. I also have a nice selection of Cloches and Bell Jars for you to check out.

The Enormous Fantasy Terrarium

Step into a magnificent Fantasy Terrarium World. This is a massive six foot terrarium and you have just got to check it out! The Big Fantasy Terrarium

The Lost Terrarium
This terrarium has a figure from the TV Show "Lost" in it. Its a great idea and you can make themed terrarium for just about anything. Learn more here

Simplicity and beauty in a terrarium
A simple and elegant terrarium is a great way for you to start out. You can keep it simple, choose a nice container and a few plants ... and end up with something beautiful. That's what Maya did with her first terrarium. See more pics of this terrarium and read how she made it. The simple and beautiful terrarium

Making a frog terrarium
This is a professionally made frog terrarium and it gives you some great tips on how to make one. How to form the landscape, what materials to use and more. The 80 gallon Frog terrarium with landscape and fogger

Making a more artistic terrrarium
Terrariums used to be all about creating a small eco-system. This has changed in the past couple of years. Terrariums are now works of living art unto themselves. I have some tips for making a terrarium that is more artistic: Making an artistic terrarium

Get terrarium started with just a mason jar
Here you can see a couple of pictures submitted by a web visitor. They are of a creative little mason jar terrarium. This also shows the wide variety of plants you can use including moss and mushrooms. Mason Jar terrarium

Using old Jars and containers for a terrarium
You might be surprised at some of the wonderful containers you have lying around the house. You might want to consider making a terrarium out of them! Here are a bunch of pictures of old jars, jugs and containers that have been made into terrariums It's a great way to recycle an old container and get something beautiful out of it!

A pair of Frog Terrariums/vivariums
A couple of terrific projects submitted by a web visitor. Here are two frog terrariums complete with all kinds of fun stuff to keep frogs happy. Pattilynn's frog terrariums

Terrariums as a Classrooom Project
Terrariums make a wonderful classroom project for a variety of reasons including stewardship, eco-systems and more. Here are some pictures submitted by a 7th grade science teacher. Classroom terrariums

The Professional Vivarium!
Have you ever seen a terrarium or vivarium at a museum or Exotic Animal Museum? Want to know how they are made? Here is information and a series of pictures submitted by the Curator of an exotic animal museum. He tells us how he makes them. Oak Tree Village Vivariums

The forgotten terrarium!
One of the wonderful things about a terrarium is the fact that if you set it up right you might not have to do much to it over the long term. They often will take care of themselves! This is a terrarium that was made and forgotten about for two years! And wow, it is definitely healthy and happy :) The Forgotten Terrarium

Make Terrarium Tweezers
Having trouble reaching into your bottle or jug terrarium and need a tool? Here is a quick tutorial on how to make some tools out of coat hangers or copper wire: Make Terrarium Tweezers

Mushroom Terrarium TimeLapse video
I just started this project so I don't have the timelapse yet. It will end up to be a short video of the mushrooms sprouting out of the box. In ten days it should be done. I have set up a mushroom terrarium so I can take pics of it as it grows. Pretty interesting project and I am also working on a couple of mushroom terrariums to be coming soon.. Mushroom Terrarium Timelapse

New: Terrarium Accents: I have a selection of miniature accents to add to your terrarium. And I have a few ideas that you might like including using crystals in your terrarium.

New: 55 gallon treefrog terrarium/vivarium with stream and pond:
This terrarium includes a pump that feeds a stream and pond! Nice project submitted by a web visitor including pictures and information on how he made it. The big treefrog terrarium with stream

Fern in a bottle - the accidental terrarium
Terrariums got their start when a Dr. Ward discovered a fern growing inside a bottle over 150 years ago. I just received an email with pics from someone who found a fern in a bottle. Its a wonderful re occurrence. Read about the fern in the bottle and see more pics of this one: The Fern in the bottle and the Wardian Case

A Magnificent Wardian Case Terrarium
You have got to see this terrarium. It is a wardian case and it was made by Mark Y. My thanks to him for submitting the pics and information to this site. Wardian cases were invented in the Victorian Era and they are how terrariums got their start. The Magnificent Wardian Case Terrrarium

New: A Venus Fly Trap Terrarium
They are an amazing and exotic plant. And they are great in terrariums. You just have to know some basic rules of care when it comes to these carnivorous plants. I make a terrarium and give you guidelines for a successful Venus Fly Trap Terrarium This also includes a video tutorial.

Attractive terrariums in every day glass containers
If you want to make an easy terrarium in a glass container you could use sand, succulents or cactus. They are easy to make and maintain, and they look great. Here are some pictures of this type of terrarium that were submitted by a web visitor (Ginger S.) made by Badia who submits regularly to this site. The biggest challenge about a small terrarium like this is keeping it clean! Terrariums in Mugs, Glasses and Pitchers

A very tiny terrarium This was made by Badia who submits regularly to this site. The biggest challenge about a small terrarium like this is keeping it clean! See more pictures here

Refrigerator Magnet Terrarium Here is a neat little ten minute project submitted by a web visitor (Shelley). It is a little terrarium in a spice bottle and with a magnet on the back so you can stick it to the refrigerator. The Fridge Magnet Terrarium

New: A new moss terrarium tutorial This is an attractive and easy terrarium made with moss. I show you how to make one and how to care for it. How to make a moss terrarium

New: All About growing bonsai trees I have started a new series of projects and a new section of my website all about the art of Bonsai. I have some tutorials, information and resources including books to buy. Check it out here: The Art of Bonsai

A Note from Will: If you are looking for living moss to make a terrarium or to add to your bonsai this is the perfect stuff. Living Terrarium Moss for Bonsai and terrarium making. Hirts Gardens now sells The perfect moss and it is available on Amazon.com I have ordered two of these and will fill you in on how they are.

Apothecary Jar Terrariums Here are three wonderful terrariums made by a web visitor (Linda D.) Among other things she used peppermint plants and moss which make a wonderful combination. Check out more pictures and some advice here: The Apothecary terrariums

The Terrarium Room Wouldn't this be great? It's like bringing a miniature exotic garden right into the house. It is no doubt a wonderful place to relax and find some quiet time and a little bit of communing with nature. Larger Picture and more here: The terrarium Room

New: Home made terrarium for a climbing plant A web visitor made this terrarium for a climbing Hoya. It is a great example of how you can use a little bit of polycarbonate sheet to quickly make a custom terrarium for a plant or plants that require higher humidity or high heat. This is almost like a little greenhouse. The climbing plant terrarium

Victorian Cloche Terrarium Cloche Terrariums This type of terrarium is becoming very popular and a year ago you couldn't find this type of victorian glass bell jar cloche container. Now they are available on amazon.com I have a selection of some of the most popular ones here: Cloche Terrariums

A look at a tree frog terrarium/vivarium A vivarium is a great way to make a terrarium into something special. Here I take a look at a vivarium created by a web visitor: James' Tree Frog Vivarium

Just a few thoughts on recycling bottles and jars into a terrarium I Maybe it's a little thing but why not recycle and reuse bottles and jars you are going to throw away by making them into terrariums? Here are a few thoughts on this and a picture of a group of easy to make recycled bottle terrariums

How to make a terrarium waterfall from scratch I show you how to make a small waterfall that you can put in your terrarium. This is a complete tutorial that even includes a how to video How to make a terrarium waterfall

Chris's Rum Bottle Terrarium A web visitor sent me these pictures and tips about making a terrarium inside a rum bottle. This is a great example of using an attractive container that would have otherwise ended up in the recycling bin. The Rum Bottle terrarium

An Aquarium inside a terrarium Here is a terrific new project submitted by a web visitor (Chris D.) It is an aquarium inside a terrarium. Neat idea and a terrarium it takes the idea of a miniature eco-system to a new level. See more pics of it here. He build the glass containers himself. The TerraQuarium!

Skipper's Frog Terrarium A web visitor sent me these pictures of the amazing terrarium she made out of a very big aquarium tank. She collects frogs and used them as a theme. It also has a nice working water fountain. You have got to see these pictures. Skipper's Frog Terrarium

Creative ideas on terrarium making How about making a shadowbox style terrarium with dinosaurs in it? I have this and other ideas on making your terrarium something spectacular. Not hard to do. Creative Terrarium Ideas

How to Make a Micro Terrarium These tiny terrariums have become very popular over the past few years. They are small, easy to care for and easy to make. I have a complete tutorial that uses the smallest flowers in the world. How to make a Micro Terrarium

Make an Organic Diorama Terrarium Very complete tutorial with lots of pictures. How to make an organic diorama terrarium

Popular Projects :

A Bottle Terrarium because it is a closed environment this project is more challenging.
A Soda Bottle Terrarium (Fast, easy, inexpensive and fun - nice project for kids.)
A Dish Terrarium This is an easy project and looks really good
A Large Terrarium suitable for pets A big project that takes some time but is a very rewarding project for you and a pet.
Choosing a terrarium animal
Big Glass Terrariums

A Moss Terrarium
I have just started working on some Moss terrariums and I have some thoughts, pictures and informatio on them. terrarium is attractive, fun to make and very hardy. Here is a complete tutorial on how to make one. Moss Terrariums

Scouts make terrariums as part of their Naturalist Badge Requirement
This is a great way to teach cub scouts, webelos and boy scouts about nature and the eco system. Check out the pictures of the terrariums these scouts made right here: Cub Scout terrariums

A Desert Themed Terrarium
This kind of terrarium is attractive, fun to make and very hardy. Here is a complete tutorial on how to make one.
A Desert Terrarium

A Terrarium for Kids
Some guidelines and tips for great terrariums that kids can make. Includes a learning sheet that explains how a miniature ecosystem works. Lots of suggestions for selecting a container and plants.
A Terrarium for Kids

Make a Sand Terrarium ? You might remember making sand sculptures in glass containers. A web visitor has taken this technique and created a terrarium out of it. You can use the sand to accentuate the beauty of the plants in the terrarium. See a bigger picture and read more about it here. Colored Sand Terrariums

Tips on making a large Glass Terrarium This page also includes an amazing terrarium that was custom made to fit into a window. Make a glass terrarium tips

Thinking about making a big terrarium? A Big Glass terrarium can be a challenge, but can come out spectacular. Here are some pictures and tips of big glass terrariums submitted by web visitors.

A Window box terrarium Here is another terrific project made by Badia A. It is a Wildlife windowbox terrarium diorama. It is a custom built box with a picture frame front that has small wildlife figures inside. It of course has plants too. See more pictures and get some ideas to make your own here: WindowBox Terrarium

Here are some fantastic terrariums made by a guest artist (Thyrza). You can get some great ideas from these terrariums. They show remarkable artistic talent in choice of container, choice and arrangement of plants and in creating small accessories from polymer clay - Thyrza's terrariums - Polymer clay is a wonderful way to create some fantastic scenes and accessories in terrariums.

Here is another great project submitted by a web visitor and based on my lightbulb tutorial. It is a desert themed terrarium inside a lightbulb. See a larger picture and get some tips on how to do this here: The desert themed lightbulb terrarium

How to make a carnivorous terrarium:Read My tutorial essay on how to make one

Book: The New Terrarium: Creating Beautiful Displays for Plants and Nature In The New Terrarium , Tovah Martin, one of America's favorite gardeners, introduces you to the whimsical yet practical world of gardens under glass-a no-fuss way to bring snippets of nature indoors. Wherever you are, in whatever little time you have, terrariums are the perfect tool for nature lovers and gardeners everywhere.

A terrarium inside a terrarium- Here is a great concept that a web visitor has suggested - Make a tiny terrarium and put it inside another terrarium. See more pics and read about these moss terrariums submitted by a web visitor. Terrarium within a terrarium

Raising the hobby of terrarium making to an art I have some thoughts, tips and techniques here on what to think about if you want to bring terrarium making to a whole new level. Terrarium as Art

Tutorial: Overview of Terrarium Building - The basics of how a terrarium is made

Looking for ideas on what kind of terrarium to make? Here are some suggestions on creative terrariums you can make. Creative Terrariums

A Wardian Case

The History of the Terrarium - They were invented by a Man named Ward and in his honor terrariums are often called Wardian Cases. I also have a wonderful selection of Wardian Cases available from Amazon.com both in table top size and floor model: Wardian Cases

The Ten minute terrarium: A video and tutorial on how to make an attractive single plant terrarium in no time at all. I cover selecting the container and selecting the plant and show you how to make it quick and easy. The Ten Minute Terrarium

Want to add a pool of water and a waterfall to your terrarium or vivarium? Here are some nice pictures and ideas submitted by a web visitor who did just that. This terrarium is terrific. Adding a water pump to your terrarium

The single Plant Zen Terrarium - I call a terrarium with just a single plant in it a "Zen" terrarium because of the elegant simplicity and beauty of it. If you are looking to do something special but without a lot of work you might consider one of these terrariums. I have some pictures submitted by a web visitor and some thoughts on making your own zen terrarium

Low Light Terrarium Plants: Want to make an indoor terrarium for the office, dorm room, apartment or place that doesn't get a lot of sunlight. Here is a list of suggested Terrarium plants that will thrive in low light or indirect light.

Apothecary Jar Terrariums These Jars make stylish and very attractive terrariums and they are small enough for a beginner with a large mouth for easy access. A web visitor has submitted these pics of apothecary jar terrariums learn more here

Although there are many/many varieties of terrariums they can be categorized into three different types:

Open Air Terrarium - This is a type of terrarium that is not enclosed. It has no top and it often has no sides. This type of terrarium is the easiest to make and can usually be done in less than an hour. The dish terrarium is the most common way this type is made.
Self-contained Terrarium - This type of terrarium is completely enclosed so it has its own unique bio system. This type is more difficult to make and to maintain. It is more of a challenge. Several factors make this more of a challenge such as making sure it has the correct amount of water inside and that it gets the right amount of sunlight. This terrarium also often has only a very small top opening which makes it a challenge to get all the plants and materials inside.
An Animal Terrarium - This type of terrarium is more of a showplace for a pet such as a lizard or a turtle. The goal of this type of terrarium is to mimic the type of natural environment the animal would live in. Often times this type has either a jungle or a desert motif.

What Type of Terrarium Would You Like To Make?

	A Dish Terrarium This is an easy project and looks really good

	A Bottle Terrarium because it is a closed environment this project is more challenging.

	A Soda Bottle Terrarium (Fast, easy, inexpensive and fun - nice project for kids.)

	A Large Terrarium suitable for pets A big project that takes some time but is a very rewarding project for you and a pet.

	How to Make a Carnivorous Terrarium - This can be a dramatic and fun project. Learn how
More Terrarium Information
	Using a terrarium as a learning tool for kids Ideas for making an Ultimate Terrarium Being Creative - Ideas for a theme terrarium An overview of the basics of making a terrarium Terrarium book Terrarium kits Terrarium Plants
	Classic Fish Bowl Looking for something that looks good and is easy to use for a terrarium? This classic fish bowl is perfect and inexpensive. Available at Amazon.com