Give a Gift That Lasts - Little to No Maintenance
Terrarium care
Do not water
Terrariums are self-sustaining ecosystems and they essentially experience their own rain cycle, which means they rarely need to be water. If you can see drops of water (condensation) at least once every few days, the terrarium doesn't need any water! The worst thing for a terrarium is too much water, so only spray a very small amount if you're sure the glass has been dry for at least one week. Small droplets of water on the glass are ideal, so if you notice larger drops it's possible that it has too much moisture. There should never be water pooling in the bottom of the terrarium. If this is the case, remove the lid to allow it to dry out completely before adding anymore water.
Happy Terrariums have Loose Lids
The lid on your terrarium helps it retain water to self-sustain, but if the lid is too tight the plants will not receive the oxygen they need. You can completely remove the lid if you choose (vines will often grow right out of the top!) but if you want to keep the lid on, ensure that it is screwed onto the bottle loosely to allow proper air flow.
Low Sunlight is Key!
The glass bottles and coal are ideal to help terrariums survive Saskatchewan's cold winter without much sunlight. The glass bottle behaves like a magnifying glass to ensure the plants get all the vitamin C that they need, but this also means that they can get super hot in the summer. From April to October we recommend moving your terrarium a few feet away from the window, and avoid direct exposure from a south-facing window. For reference, we have lots of happy terrariums growing throughout the winter in a north-facing window in our basement.
miniature enclosed Ecosystems
How are they made?
How long do they live?
How long do they live?
The first step is filling the bottles by hand. We use rocks, coal and a homemade soil mix, or substrate. Then, plants that can thrive in terrariums are carefully planted. We look after each plant for 4-6 weeks to ensure that they are rooted, happy and healthy when brought to their new home.
How long do they live?
How long do they live?
How long do they live?
Under the right circumstances, plant terrariums can live up to a year or even longer. Just like any living thing, each plant will have a unique lifespan for a variety of reasons. Plants are unfortunately not immune to illnesses, and can die without any explanation. However with the right care, your plant terrarium should thrive as a self-sustaining ecosystem for a long time.
Plants in our terrariums
We love our experienced plant customers and love to teach those who are new to the plant world. Tags will tell you the common name of the plant(s) in your terrarium, and you can find that growing list below!
Ferns
Pteris Fern
This fern does the best in terrariums, so it is the fern that we use the most often.
Autumn Fern
Like most ferns, this plant thrives in a humid environment. It is also often found in floral arrangements.
Maidenhair Fern
These plants are tricky, but sometimes they root beautifully in terrariums.
Moses in a Boat
This plant does best in largest terrariums where the leafs are not pressed against glass, however smaller leaves may survive in smaller terrariums!
Nerve plant
This low growing plant will spread in larger terrariums, covering the soil.
Pilea
Kierweed Pilea
Another vine that loves to grow out of the top. Pictured here with a white nerve plant and clubhouse moss.
Aluminum Pilea
This plant loves moisture! Its leafs have bright, eye-catching dots.
Pink Polka Dot Plant
Identified by bright to deep pink leaves with green variegation This plant thrives in a humid environmen.
If the lid is removed, in the right conditions, you may find that the colours invert!
Turtle Vine
Easy to grow vine that will grow out of the top of the terrarium if the lid is removed.
Tricolour Tradescantia
This vine has beautiful pink variegated leafs and thrives in terrariums.
Over time, the leafs may lose their pink colouring and turn completely green.