Building the Ecosystem
Step-by-step assembly of your terrarium layers and hardscape.
1. Preparing the Vessel
Thoroughly clean your glass container with soap and hot water. Any lingering bacteria can bloom in the humid environment. Let it dry completely.
2. Layering
Add your drainage layer, smoothing it out. Cut your mesh barrier to size and place it over the drainage. Add a thin dusting of activated charcoal, followed by 2-3 inches of your soil mix. Slope the soil higher in the back to create visual depth.
3. Hardscaping
Before planting, place your "bones"—rocks, dragon stone, or pieces of sterilized spider wood. These elements anchor the landscape and give plants something to grow around.
4. Planting
Remove plants from their nursery pots. Gently massage the root ball to remove excess soil. Using long tweezers or chopsticks, dig a small well in the terrarium soil, insert the plant, and pat the soil down securely.
Pro tip: Plant the tallest species in the back and low-growing mosses in the front.
5. Watering In
Do not pour water into the vessel. Use a spray bottle to mist the glass and the soil heavily. Stop when you see the top of the drainage layer begin to darken with moisture, but before water pools at the bottom.