1. Drainage Layer

First, pour a layer of decorative rocks. This will act as a draining mechanism for your terrarium. This will prevent your soil from holding too much water which could result in root rot.

2. Soil Layer

Next, pour a thin layer of activated charcoal! This layer will help absorb excess moisture and prevent mold. After the drainage layer has been completed, add a thick layer of your favorite potting soil. Be careful not to pour too much, as you’ll want to leave plenty of breathing room for your plants!

3. Plant Layer

Finally you can add your plants! Closed terrariums are able to maintain their own miniature water cycles, so you’re going to want to choose plants that prefer moist soil and humid air. A few suggestions are nerve plants, variegated spider ferns, starfish plants, watermelon peperomia and baby tears! If you’re not sure what plants will best fit your needs, it may help to talk to someone at your local nursery. For this terrarium, we decided to use a nerve plant, a variegated creeping fig and a button fern.

After adding a couple of decorations (optional), you’re ready to put the lid on your closed terrarium and put it on display!

Since this is a closed terrarium, the water you give your plants will be recycled, meaning you’ll need to water less often. Be sure to monitor the dampness of your soil to prevent overwatering. Enjoy your terrarium and let us know if you found this blog post interesting or helpful!

*This DIY was adapted from Crate and Barrel’s post, How to Make a Closed Terrarium.