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Mason jars4/29/2023 ![]() ![]() Or, pretty much any Selaginella is going to thrive this way. You really can just sprinkle some cuttings into a terrarium and watch them root up! Ficus pumila works well too, but a bit too well… Small epiphytic vines like the String of Turtles ( Peperomia prostrata) or Pilea glauca are my top picks. Last but not least, epiphytes are the icing on the cake.īeing soilless plants that can grow on top of other plants, these can be laid directly over your moss as a highlight to your foliage plants. Moss is fragile after all, and if you trim them down a lot – as we will be – they can fall apart quite easily. You won’t need huge quantities for a mason jar terrarium, but it’s worth getting a little more than you think you’ll need. This is Cushion Moss at the front, and the wavy stuff at the back is Mood Moss. They’re both full of color and texture, and they hold up very well in closed terrariums of all kinds. I’d wholeheartedly recommend Cushion Moss ( Leucobryum glaucum) or Mood Moss ( Dicranum scoparium). Next, you’ll need some lush moss to set the scene. Sorry, but Calathea makoyana is just too gorgeous to pass up. We’re actually breaking our own rules and using a baby Peacock Calathea, but it’s so pretty… and thankfully also a slow grower. Tiny ferns like the Fluffy Ruffles Fern or mini Bolbitis fern can work well too. Good options could be Fittonia, Aluminium Plants, and Bloodleaf plants. You’ll probably only have enough space for one or two foliage plants, so feel free to choose something really bright and eye-catching! ![]() Ideally, those that start small and stay small, but there’s nothing wrong with swapping a larger plant out later (we’ll probably have to do that with one of ours). Or, if you have small hands like my glamorous assistant Rae – you might not need any tools!Īs a small closed terrarium, you’ll be needing small tropical plants. Long scissors and a long-handled brush can help a lot too, but you can probably manage without them. Planting delicate plants and maneuvering moss threads can be challenging at the best of times, and sometimes nigh on impossible in a fully planted mason jar. Tweezers are your new best friend here (though chopsticks can work too). We’re operating in tight spaces here, so it can be very helpful to have a few terrarium tools to hand. Failing that, any small rocks would still work to create a little reservoir. They’re lightweight and super effective at absorbing water, and the plants can even access that stored water later should they need it. It’s not strictly necessary but can be a helpful fail-safe for accidental overwatering (or it can just be a lovely decorative addition). Drainage MaterialsĪ drainage layer can be used to capture any excess water that may pool in the bottom of the container. Our chosen terrarium substrate ended up being a very light mix that’s easy to work with and easy to plant in. Plus some worm castings for organic fertilizer. We’re using a fern mix made up of a coco coir base with fine pumice, powdered charcoal, and coco fiber for drainage and aeration. So, I’d recommend either a light tropical mix (as I have) or pure aquarium soil. The classic mixes (like ABG mix) are always a good choice, but they can be pretty chunky and difficult to manage in small containers. Meaning a substrate that will stay light and fluffy when damp, rather than forming a thick mud cake. Something with great water retention but also solid drainage. We’re going to be using tropical plants – being a closed terrarium and all – so you’ll want an appropriate tropical substrate blend. □ See my Terrarium Container Guide for more inspiration and help. Pretty much any old glass jar with a lid will do! Mason jars just happen to be one of the more consistent choices, but pickle jars, jam jars, candy jars – they’re all good. Got a jar that’s not a mason jar? No worries. We happen to be using one of the clip-lid mason jars, and I think it’s 1 liter in size for reference. The screw-on lids do tend to form a better seal, but being completely airtight is not a concern at all. Provided they’re made of clear glass and have a wide enough opening to work in. Mason jars come in various styles and sizes, and honestly, they should all work just fine for a terrarium. ![]()
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