Do you have a boring old table or dark with a stunning lack of adorable self sufficient gardens?
Well if so This is the project for you!
You will need:
- a medium sized jar with a lid
- a variety of small tropical plants (such as ferns and other plants that do well in a moist climate)
- aquarium rocks
- potting soil
- small decorations or cute stones *optional*
First you will need to put a small layer of the aquarium rocks at the bottom. the rocks need to be about an inch and a half deep.
Second you will need to put potting soil directly on the rocks so that it is three to four inches deep
your terrarium should look something like this...
Next you will take your plants and separate smaller pieces with their own root system and leaves
plant the separate piece of the plant in your terrarium soil and make sure that the roots are covered.
When I did this I dug a small hole and placed the roots in it and the added a bit more soil around the base of the plant. You may have to trim some of the longer leaves off your plant depending on the size of you container and the length of the plant.
I added one sprig from both of my plants.
Finally you will add about two table spoons of water to your terrarium ( maybe more if yours is large but don't add too much!)
If you choose to you can add some small decorations to your terrarium. Any small plastic animal rock or fish tank type of decoration will work, I chose to use my favorite colorful plastic dinosaurs!
Once you have finished making these adorable little guys make sure you place the lid on your terrarium and set it in a place with very moderate light. You dont want it in direct sunlight or it will get too hot but if the leaves start to turn yellow its not getting enough light. In order for the terrarium to stay self sufficient the water you initially put in there will make condensation on the lid and create a mini water cycle. After a few weeks if your terrarium doesn't have any condensation on the sides or lid you need to add another table spoon or two of water!
That is all it takes to bring a miniature rainforest to your desk!
