Plant terrariums, we can't get enough of them. And we're not the only ones, because they're immensely popular. In our previous blogs we already told more about the different varieties of terrariums: open, half-open and closed. This week we'll answer all your frequently asked questions about these popular mini-jungles: FAQ plant terrariums.

What types of terrariums are there?
There are different types of terrariums. The open, half-open and closed variant. The different varieties require different care. For example, a closed terrarium hardly needs any attention after the bottle has been closed. The plants create their own ecosystem that runs itself. The open and half-open terrarium occasionally need a helping hand. Read more about this in our previous blogs.

What tools do I need?
Most plant terrariums are not very large and therefore it can be a precise job to get the plants into it properly. To work neatly and to get everything right in the bottle, a few handy tools are indispensable.

Starter tool no. 1: fork & shovel. With these tools you divide the different layers over the soil, make room for plants or carefully press the soil. They create the basis for your terrarium. To give a finishing touch and to move things around, a pair of tweezers is very handy. They are long and strong, so you can reach anything, even in large bottles. Finally we want to keep the inside of the bottle nice and clean. By using a funnel, the sand and carbon will not blurr the terrarium’s glass.

At (half) open terrariums you can occasionally prune plants with terrarium scissors to prevent overgrowth.

Tip: make it really easy for your customer with the do-it-yourself plant terrarium set. This starter kit contains all the necessities for a first terrarium. Includes stones, carbon, sand, a shovel & fork and a funnel. All supplies (except the plants) are included.

Which bottle should I choose?
Making a terrarium starts with choosing a bottle you like and which suits. The choice depends on someone's interior and style. Bottles are available in a range of 5 to 55 liters and available in green and transparent versions. Is this the first terrarium for your customer? Advise to start with a small size, up to 15 liters. The balance and climate will be easier to achieve.

How do I lay the bottom?
For an optimal result, a terrarium needs a good foundation. Here you can read step-by-step how this foundation is built up. All tools are available separately, but for those who like the easy way, offer the do-it-yourself plant terrarium set mentioned above. Or an even more easy way: offer your customers an already prepared terrarium incl. plants.

Which plants to choose? And how many of them can there be in a bottle?

Which plants are suitable depends on the type of the terrarium. If you want to play it safe, especially for the closed terrarium, advise plants that like high humidity and choose plants that do not grow too fast.

The number of plants that can live together in a bottle depends on the size of the bottle. Preferably, choose fewer plants (two is enough in a small bottle), so that there is enough space, water, air and nutrition in the bottle for them. If there are too many plants in one bottle, the plants will compete with each other and one will eventually die.

First aid for plant terrariums

High condensation in the bottle
Let plants breathe for a while by removing the cork from the bottle. If the bottle is close to a window, the temperature may also become too high. Try to put it a little further away from the light. When the ground is too wet, a little more light may help instead.

Plants die
There are probably too many plants in the bottle. Leave the dead plant in the bottle. This small ecosystem solves the problem on its own and if there is still room for a new plant, it will germinate on its own.

The leaves dry out
The plants are probably too dry. A little sprinkling might help. In winter it is also possible that the bottle is too close to the heating.

Source: J. Baehner, Groen in Glas