DIBuyIt
← All guides

Home

Terrariums.

Build a small closed garden for humidity-loving plants, using a clear jar and a restrained amount of water.

Makes
1 closed terrarium
Hands-on
45 minutes
Total time
45 minutes, then ongoing care
Effort
Easy
Start the project ↓Buy premade ↓

GET WHAT YOU NEED

Your shopping list

For 1 closed terrarium.

Small Fittonia or miniature fern

1–2 healthy plants

Hirt’s Gardens live miniature ferns, three 2-inch pots

Buy on Amazon

Use one or two plants with room to grow. The fern varieties vary; check their care labels before closing the jar.

Clean small pebbles

Enough for a 2-inch bottom layer

Mixed river pebbles, 7/8 inch, 6 lb

Buy on Amazon

Rinse the pebbles before layering them in the jar.

Horticultural charcoal

Enough for a 1/4-inch layer

Sukh Horticultural Charcoal, 1 qt

Buy on Amazon

Light potting mix

Enough for a 1–4-inch rooting layer

Back to the Roots indoor potting mix, 6 qt

Buy on Amazon

Water

Enough to moisten soil without flooding

Ordinary household water; no product purchase necessary.

Amounts are what the project uses, not package sizes. Compare quantities and product details before buying.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Tools & supplies

Clear lidded jar, about 1 gallon

Leaves room above soil for small plants.

North Mountain clear glass jars with lids, 1 gallon, two pack

Buy on Amazon

Long spoon and small watering bottle

Places soil and waters gently.

7-piece Terrarium Tool Set with Spoon and Watering Bottle

Buy on Amazon

STEP BY STEP

Put it together

  1. Clean

    Wash and dry the jar. Choose plants with matching light and moisture needs.

  2. Layer

    Add pebbles, charcoal and enough potting mix to cover the roots. Keep room for foliage above.

  3. Plant

    Ease plants from their pots, loosen roots and settle them into shallow holes. Firm lightly.

  4. Moisten and close

    Add water slowly until soil is moist, not waterlogged. Close the lid and place in bright indirect light.

  5. Watch

    Open the lid if glass stays heavily fogged. Water only when soil begins drying; trim plants before they crowd the jar.

Good to know

  • Cacti and succulents need a drier setup and do not belong in this closed version.
  • Pebbles do not replace drainage holes: overwatering can still rot roots. Avoid direct sun, which overheats the jar.

SAVE THE MAKING

Prefer it ready-made?

Compare these finished options with making your own.

Live miniature-rose terrarium

A finished live plant display in gel; follow its own care instructions.

Bloomify live miniature-rose gel terrarium

Buy on Amazon

This live rose grows in gel rather than soil. Follow its supplied care instructions; it is a different planted display from the DIY terrarium.

Links go to the selected products. Availability and delivery vary by location; check the current listing and package size before ordering.

Sources & further reading

Independent instructions informed by the sources below. No affiliation or endorsement is implied. These instructions have not been kitchen- or workshop-tested by DIBuyIt.

How we research guides and choose products

Related guides