A plant terrarium, or mini ecosystem is so much fun to make and to have. It's care free and looks great in every house.

A few years ago, Jasper and I made a terrarium for our house. I had never heard of these plant terrariums before. We searched for a quick 'how to guide' and went shopping for supplies: looking for a glass jar, vase or carafe, (aquarium) rocks, and something that we could use as a lid to close the terrarium.

We eventually ended up at IKEA, where we found a great glass carafe (for just €0.99) and a coaster that fitted perfectly on the carafe. Then, we bought mini plants at a garden centre, but nowadays I prefer to use propagated plant cuttings. I also started to grow my own moss (not on purpose, it just appeared on my balcony). But you can of course also find moss in the forrest or buy it at a garden centre.

What do you need to make a plant terrarium?

• Glass Carafe (€0,99 at IKEA)
• FÖRSEGLA coaster bamboo (2 for €1,99 at IKEA)
• Soil
• Propagated plant cuttings or mini plants
• Hydroton pebbles
• Small (aquarium) rocks (light-coloured ones work the best)
• Moss (from the forrest or garden centre)

How do you make a plant terrarium?

1. Clean the carafe, lid and rocks.
2. Add a layer of rocks to the carafe.
3. Add a layer of hydroton pebbles. Make sure to separate the layers for the best effect.
4. Cover the hydroton pebbles with a layer of soil. Keep in mind that you also need soil to secure the plants later on.
5. We can now add the plants. This takes a bit of effort and caution in such a small carafe. Be careful not to damage the plants. And make sure not to add too many, because the plants need space to grow in the terrarium.
6. Use the leftover soil to cover and secure the plants.
7. Add some moss. This doesn't only look great, but keeps the mini ecosystem in the terrarium in balance.
8. Optional: add some rocks on top as well. This gives the terrarium a more colourful look.
9. Carefully clean the glass of the terarrium with a paper towel or cotton swab.
10. Place the terriarum in the desired spot en let it get settled to the conditions there without the lid. Use a plant sprayer to water the terrarium daily. After a week you can close the terrarium. Now the terrarium should be able to recycle its own water. Is there too much condensation in the carafe? Or is the soil too dry? Take the lid off for a bit and water daily for a week again.