Succulent Sanctuaries: 8 Ways to Build Your Own DIY Terrarium
Terrariums are an awesome way to introduce some charming ornamental plant-life into your home. Terraria are these little explosions of growth and greenery encapsulated in a sealable glass container. The great thing about these little biennial-bubbles is that they require little to no effort to flourish!
Science lesson! Terraria are a unique environment for plant growth, as the glass walls allow for both heat and light to enter the terrarium, allowing a mini water cycle to take place. The terrarium entraps heat causing moisture from the plants and soil to evaporate. The water vapor then condenses on the walls of the enclosure, eventually dripping back onto the plants and soil inside. The plants don't ever dry out because this environment creates a constant supply of water. Unlike my house-plants which are brown and on the verge of disintegrating into ash because I forget to water them. Additionally, light passing thru the terrarium's glass walls allow the plants to photosynthesize, so they can flourish into miniature kingdoms of greenery.
Tropical plants, ferns, mosses, and air plants thrive in these closed terrariums since the humidity within the jar resembles the conditions in the steamy tropics. So what do you have to do to make sure your little ecosystem stays happy and healthy? All you've got to do is open it once a week to let some of the excess moisture escape so your jungle jar doesn't get moldy. If there isn't enough condensation and you see your plants starting to get wilty and sad, open the enclosure and water everything a bit. Last but not least, make sure you talk to your plants every day so they grow big and strong.
Now let's get into the good stuff, how do you make one?! The most common terrariums are made from bell jars. We happen to have a nifty collection of them featured in this Tuesday's Classic Variety sale.
You can take a peak at them below or leave an absentee bid on them here.
If you're the creative type, and you like to think outside the jar, here's 8 crafty ways your can upcycle some common household items into your very own terrarium.
1. Repurposed Lightbulb Terrarium
Via Pinterest.com
This miniature lightbulb terrarium is an excellent introduction to terrariums. Everyone's got a spare bulb laying around so just grab a little air plant, some moss, and a scoop of soil and you're ready to go. Your tiny plant world is easily accessible by simply unscrewing the bulb.
2. Greenery in a Bottle
Via Pinterest.com
Building a little bottle garden is way easier then putting together one of those miniature ships with tweeter and toothpicks.
3. DIY French Press Terrarium
Just because you gave up caffeine doesn't mean you've got to retire the french press. This creative-coffee terrarium would make an excellent handmade gift for any java-junkie!
4. Upcycled Gumball Machine Terrarium
Via Pinterest.com
Just because you've got braces doesn't mean you've got to waste a perfectly good gumball machine. Just don't put a quarter in, you might get a rock.
5. DIY iMac Terrarium
These Power Mac G3's are an iconic symbol of the 90s. While you probably aren't using one to browse the web anymore, here's an artsy way to upcycle this nostalgic treasure into something fun and functional. Steve Jobs would be proud, he always told us to think different.
6. Terrarium Coffee Table
How flippin cool is this DIY terrarium table? What an awesome conversation piece for any living room. It sure puts a new spin on garden-furniture! Andrea went above and beyond by providing a complete step-by-step guide on how to replicate this beauty. You can check out her tutorial on Instructables.
7. Tune into Terrarium Television
Even better than the Discovery Channel, right? I know it's easy to wrap yourself up in a blanket burrito and go on a Netflix binge when you're feeling down in the dumps - but did you know that plants are actually a huge mood-booster?
8. DIY Teapot Terrarium
This terrarium teapot takes fairytale to a whole new level. Liven up any room with some Alice in Wonderland flare.
As always, we have a bunch of these items pop up in our backroom sales. Stop by one of our Tuesday sales and browse our boxes for your perfect miniature rainforest receptacle.
