Ideas for containers: If you plan a terrarium with a large-mouthed container or dome, smaller children can easily help. Narrow-necked bottles provide sufficient challenge for older children and adults. Most planters you can plant by hand, but those with smaller openings will require special tools. They take a little practice, but once you learn how to use them they become second nature. Look for miniature plants in nurseries and grocery-store plant departments. Pick plants that are compatible and that do well in the same environment. You also need to consider temperature and moisture requirements. Some plants need a closed container with high humidity, some need a partially open one, and some an uncovered one. Generally, the narrower the neck of the container, the less likely the need for a cover. Location of the terrarium will play a part, too. If it will be in a sunny place, succulents may work best. A succulent is a water retaining plant that does well in arid conditions (e.g., jade plant, Christmas cactus, sedum). If the terrarium will have a lot of shade and moisture, in a bathroom for instance, then ferns and mosses will most likely be a good choice. It’s easy to misjudge size, so take your container along when you go shopping for plants, if possible, to be sure they’ll fit. Think about color and texture, too. Work toward creating some dramatic contrasts. Here are some plants you may want to use: Small plants:
Ferns in the Pteris family Grape ivy Boxwood shoots
Medium plants:
Chinese evergreen Peperomia Fittonias Small-leafed ivy Pileas
Ground covers:
Baby’s tears Mosses Crinkle leaf peperomia Wandering Jew Selaginellas Strawberry begonia
Flowering plants:
African violets Miniature orchids Miniature roses Gloxinia Miniature geraniums Pilea Begonias Wintergreen
Desert plants (for a desertarium):
Old man cactus Opuntia Bishop’s cap Aloes Bunny ear cactus Kalanchoes Tiger jaw cactus Crassulas Sand dollar cactus Echeverias
