Recently, I have been a bit obsessed with terrariums. Each one I look at seems to be a little world of it’s own carefully tucked inside the glass container.
With mother’s day just around the corner, I was thinking it might make a great gift for my mom who loves plants and flowers. She lives in a condo in Florida, and doesn’t have the backyard space for gardening…Perfect! I decided to do a bit of research to see If it might be a DIY project I could handle…..I am a designer, but I wouldn’t consider myself very “crafty” 
. I was amazed by the amount of information that is available about creating your own terrarium. Some a bit more complicated than others.
The following is one of the simpler instructions I found, so if you think this might make a good gift for your mom, and you’d like to give it a shot, here goes:
Materials:
Container
Potting Soil
Plants
Small stones
- Find a container that you love, preferably one made out of glass so you can easily see your creation. There’s no need to limit yourself to garden stores, antique or home decor stores may have some unique options.
- Now it’s time to pick your plants. Look for a variety of leaf shapes and colours to achieve an interesting design. Mosses, Swedish Ivy, Ferns and Herbs are all excellent plants to start with.
- Place a one inch layer of small stones at the bottom of your container. These will help with drainage.
- Add your soil, the amount of soil you will use will vary depending on the size and shape of your container, but you’ll want to have at least a few inches to leave room for roots to grow.
- Add your plants and arrange however you wish. You might prefer crowded and organic, or sparse and modern, go with what you like and have fun with this step.
- Water but don’t over-water. A spray mister might be the best way to regulate moisture levels.
- Give it some sun. Place your terrarium in moderate to direct sunlight.
- Enjoy!
If you are more interested in planting a succulent terrarium the approach is very similar but requires slightly different materials and plants. Martha Stewart has a great tutorial that you can find here
Now, if that was a bit out of your comfort zone, there are actually faux terrariums that look almost as good as the real thing. Here are a few examples
These faux terrariums, also known as cloches, are available at National Decorations Inc
They look great in tablescape groupings of varying heights and sizes, especially when mixed with other materials and textures. A larger size can stand alone as a dining table centerpiece. Or maybe adding a grouping of three by the window inside of your kitchen. Terrariums are a great way to bring in some greenery and nature into your decor. Have fun creating your own or as a gift to that special lady you call mom. Happy Mother’s Day in advance!
Here are a few more to feast your eyes on! Can you see why I am obsessed?
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Be Inspired!
Veronica Solomon
This is a great idea!!! I remember making terrariums with my mom when I was young. My homeschooled tweens and toddler will love this!!!
Thanks Tiffany. kids love these projects!
Great post, Veronica! I remember being mezmerized a terrarium at my grandma’s house when I was a small child. I would sit and look at it and imagine it as a miniature world where elves and fairies lived. I absolutely love those memories!
Thanks Kristin. I still imagine that little world even as a grown up. Lol
this is a great idea! Thank you!
very helpful! Thank you!
No problem Tyler
What a great idea for a Mother’s Day Gift. Think I will make the “faux” one for my Mom. She doesn’t like to have to water things! Very nice…..
Lol. I have used the faux ones in many projects. My clients love that they look real but they don’t have to water them
Brilliant, They’re very elegant.
Thanks Kieran
These are beautiful! We have been designing terrariums for many years, and although they have lost favor, I am seeing a slight renewal. I remember designing them in a water bottle (but that was when water bottles were glass). One of the problems that arises is people tend to over-water, so I remind your mom, when she receives hers (especially in Florida) to be cautious that she not over-water.
Thanks Tina, great tip. I imagine that with no drainage except for the rocks it’s easy to overwater. I’ll definitely give her a crash course in terrarium maintenance. lol
These will make the perfect Mother’s Day gifts.
I love flowers for mother’s day, but I think this is great and will last a very long time
This is a great idea. I wish I were as creative!
Thanks Heather. You should give it a shot
what a great idea! I am going to show this to my kids!
Thanks Rob. It is a fun project to do with kids!
Good morning Veronica,
This is such a great idea. Thank you for sharing. How do you get the plants in ones that have small openings?
Hi Julie, hope you’re having a great Friday! I believe they use a tweezer or a similar tool to get small plants in. I had to a bit of research myself, and didn’t see any instructions on the containers with really small openings. I guess it’s kinda like building a ship in a bottle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRuj4wChPtA
What a fabulous idea! My mom and mother-in-law would have loved these! Thanks for the instructions!
You’re so welcome Loretta.
They’re back! I remember my mother making one of these a long, long time ago. People can be so creative. I love them.
Thanks Meli. That’s what I love about the creative world. Things always come back around in bigger and better ways.
I love this idea, I will have to start searching for the supplies.
Thanks Teri, I would love to see how it turns out!
Where are you buying your containers? Any tips on where you find them for a decent price?
Hi Joanna, you can use any glass container with a big enough opening like cake stands, fish bowls, mason jars. Flea markets and garage sales are a great resource. If you like the cloche containers, Amazon has some great ones for under $50. Here’s a link http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=garden+cloche&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=7658110185&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=663021992904801257&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_k7jwz3v0w_b
Great ideas
These are so pretty.
My mom is gone now two years
Sorry to hear that Dov
This is so beautiful and lovely gift for mothers Veronica. I gonna share this stuff really on my wall. Be inspired always.
Thanks Jason. Glad you liked them
This is so thoughtful. I remember one time I put a lily in a pretty vase with a beta fish in it. The fish fed off the roots of the plant and lasted for a long time. Very pretty like your great ideas!
Thanks!
Yvonne Brown
Great ideas for mothers day… really great stuff
Thank you Todd