How to make a terrarium

Step 1. Choose a glass container. It can be anything from a clean, reused pickle jar to a
vintage vase. Just make sure the container is clear and not colored glass, which could
hinder growth.

Consider the size of the opening as well. Making a terrarium out of a vintage perfume
bottle may seem like a creative idea, but the narrow opening may prove problematic
when you go to place greenery inside. For beginners, it's best to use a vessel with an
opening wide enough to accommodate the width your hand so that you can easily place
and move materials as needed.

Step 2. Place a handful of rocks at the bottom of the container. This layer helps to shape
the terrain while aiding drainage and aeration. Vary the layer's thickness by the size of
the container. The smaller the vessel, the thinner the rock layer; you'll want to leave
enough "head space" at the top of the terrarium when you're finished that the setup
doesn't look cramped.

Step 3. Soak dried sphagnum or sheet moss in water for a few seconds and squeeze out
any excess liquid. Place the slightly damp moss onto the rocks, patting it down so that it
fills the entire surface area and forms a barrier that keeps the soil from falling into the
rocks.

Step 4. Scoop the soil into a funnel and fill the container with several inches of it. The
greenery you'll be planting will determine the type of soil you use. For moss, use a peat
moss mixture, which is less likely to mold. For other plants, non-moisture-control
potting mix should work. If a plant's nursery tag indicates that it needs a specific type of
soil, use that.

Keep in mind that this layer doesn't have to be perfectly flat. Hills and valleys give the
landscape character. Again, don't fill the container too high with soil, since you'll want to
have enough "head space" for the greenery to grow.

Step 5. Plant your plants. If you're using moss that you snagged from nature, make sure
to first give it a blast of pesticide to debug it. Use scissors to trim it into shape and place
it into the container. Make sure to press it down firmly to prevent air pockets. For other
plants, plant them as you would in your outdoor garden. Loosen the root ball, place in a
shallow layer of soil, add soil around it, and pat down.

Step 6. Give the plant some water to help prevent transplant shock, keeping in mind
that the container doesn't have drainage holes like a potted plant would. The rocks layer
will aid with drainage.

Maintaining a terrarium is easy. For moss terrariums, a light misting of water every two
to four weeks should suffice. For plant terrariums, heed watering instructions on the
plant's nursery tag. Just don't over-water!