For the first time in a long time, I had a girls day with friends and we made terrariums for Aarika’s birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!). So, of course, I documented that process and made a tutorial for you.

You need a lot of supplies, but if you make more than one terrarium, they get used up quickly. Get a bunch of people together and have a movie/terrarium night or something. Otherwise, you might have supplies for years. 🙂

Want to make one? Follow the steps below.

 

Terrarium supplies

• Large glass bowl
• succulents
• small rocks
• big rocks
• moss
• charcoal
• cacti soil
• trinkets (optional)

 

Step 1: add rocks to your terrarium

Start by adding about 1 inch of large pebbles to the bottom of your bowl.

Make sure you get a good amount in there because this is going to be your water drainage system. Succulents don’t like it when their roots are wet for a long period of time so you want to put a lot of pebbles in there so the water can sit at the bottom and not around the roots.

 

Step 2: add charcoal

Put about 1/2 inch layer of charcoal over the rocks. Add some more rocks here if you’d like.

Charcoal helps eliminate any odors from the sitting water while it evaporates.

 

Step 3: add cacti soil

Layer on a few inches of soil for your succulent to grow in. It should take up about 25% of your terrarium.

 

Step 4: plant your succulents

Dig a hole in the soil and plant your succulents.

 

Step 5: add moss

Spread moss around your terrarium to help with water drainage.

 

Step 6: add decorative elements & Trinkets

Now that all the necessary stuff is in place, you can add in any decorative elements you want. Some people like to go with the fairy garden theme, others don’t add anything.

 

When you’re finished, you’ll have your very own terrarium!

How do you water this thing?

Succulents don’t need a lot water so be careful not to add too much. You will only need about a tablespoon at a time. Look at the bottom of the terrarium. More than a few drops of water should not be visible in the drainage material.

What should I do if I overwater it?

Place your open container near a window in the sunlight to help dry it out a bit. You can also dig a hole down to the drainage and put a paper towel wick down inside to help soak out the moisture.

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave them in the comments.

Happy crafting!