Must-have mini terrarium kits

If you are looking to beautify your home with natural plants or looking for the best gift for a loved one, a terrarium kit is worth trying out. It is a miniature garden that consists of a glass container (fully or partially enclosed), potting soil, crushed stones, activated charcoal, and plants.

Although DIY terrarium kits are easy to make, getting all the materials aren't easy. Purchasing a complete terrarium kit will definitely save you some time.

Terrarium kits to Purchase

You can purchase a terrarium kit from an online store. Here are some of the most classy terrarium kits to try.

Little Oasis

The Little Oasis terrarium is super cute. It features the Gollum Jade plant - a fascinating plant with elongated tubular leaves. The different shades of pebbles adds an extra touch of awesomeness. This little terrarium is the simplest way to enjoy an indoor miniature garden.

Little Utopia

The Little Utopia terrarium features a bold selection of rocks with your preferred succulents springing out of it. It would make the perfect compliment to an urban bedroom, a desk, or a modern office space.

Little Haven

This adorable terrarium features all the best parts of a terrarium with some extras. It has a lovely Jade plant stretching above your two chosen succulents. Its beautiful leafy feature makes it an ideal choice for decorating your living space.

Little Zen

If you are looking for a simple yet elegant terrarium kit, you'll love Little Zen. This beautiful addition brings calmness into your home. It features the unique Gollum Jade plant as well as two different shades of pebbles. It can be a perfect compliment to any window sill or office desk.

Little Eden

Experience the beauty of nature within the four walls of your home with this miniature garden. This Little Eden glass terrarium features tiny succulents and four distinct layers of soil. It is a super cute addition to any layout, bringing the peace of nature into your space.

Little Blu

Little Blu is s super cute way to add some spice to a space. Whether it's for a child's room or an office space, this wide-mouthed terrarium can be a perfect fit.

Little Ruby

The Little Ruby is a very interesting sight to behold. The succulents and the distinct layers of soil are the complete combination for a self-sustaining miniature world.

Little Trio

The best gifts come in threes! The Little Trio features three gorgeous terrariums and is just the perfect gift for your loved ones.

Building DIY Terrarium kits

If you prefer to get your hands dirty, you can build your own terrarium kit from scratch. The process is a simple and straightforward one.

Items Needed

A basic diy terrarium kit requires the following:

• A container

• Terrarium plants

• Activated charcoal

• Crushed stones

• A garden trowel

• Potting mix

• Spray bottle

• Small scissors for trimming plant roots

• Sheet moss

• Ornaments, shells, figurines (for decoration)

Instructions

• Choose the Right Container

  Any transparent container with a wide opening will make a beautiful terrarium. The wide opening allows you to add the soil, plant, and decorative materials comfortably. Your terrarium may be open or close. The choice is yours. However, closed terrariums are more likely to have fungal plant diseases than open terrariums.

• Choose the Plants

  You can get terrarium plants from a nursery or a garden center. When selecting the plants, keep the following in mind:

  • Opt for plants that can fit into your container without touching the sides of the terrarium.

  • Get plants that can survive with low or medium-light and can thrive in the humid environment of a terrarium.

  • Creatively select a variety of leaf sizes, colors, and textures. This enhances its beauty.

    Here are some plants that can thrive in a terrarium: African violet, Small ferns, Pothos, Lucky bamboo, Prayer plant, Polka dot plant, Nerve plant, Creeping fig, and Club moss.

• Create Drainage Layers

  Drainage layers prevent water from getting to the plant roots. With a garden trowel, pour in 2-inch layer of crushed stones into the terrarium. You can increase the thickness of the drainage layer if the container is tall and narrow. Now, add about 1/2-inch layer of activated charcoal. Activated charcoal prevents odors.

• Add Potting Soil and Sheet Moss

Over the charcoal, add one layer of sheet moss. Then, add your sterile potting soil on top of the sheet moss with a little trowel. Do not add too much soil so that the plant will have sufficient room to grow.

Tip: terrarium plants do not need fertilizers. Avoid potting soil mixed with fertilizer.

• Prepare the Plants

  Which terrarium design would you prefer? Where will you place terrarium kit? These are some of the question to answer before planting.

  To prepare the plants, dust off excess soil away from its root. Then, remove the plants from the nursery pot and use a small scissors to trim the longer roots. This process is called root pruning. It prevents a plant from growing too big. You should also trim decaying leaves.

• Add Plants

  Using your finger, dig planting holes for the plant and place each one in a hole. Then, pat the soil gently to remove air pockets. If the terrarium opening is not large enough, use tongs, or chopsticks to place the plants inside.

• Decorate the Terrarium

  This is an optional step. You can improve the visual appeal of your terrarium by adding some beautiful shells, figurines, or decorative stones.

• Watering the Plants

  Using spray bottle, water the terrarium plants. The water should be sufficient enough to make the terrarium damp but not soggy.

• Maintain the Plants

  Terrarium plants can not thrive when exposed to harsh direct sunlight. Place the plants close to a south-facing window that is slightly shaded.

  To maintain the plants, do the following:

  • Check the soil if it needs water. If it does, add some water using the spray bottle. Do this once in three weeks.

  • If using a closed terrarium, remove the top once a month to improve airflow.

  • Trim damaged leaves once in three weeks. Also, prune the plants if they are becoming larger than the container.