Let me preface this post by saying, if I can build a terrarium, you can build one too. I don’t consider myself to be very DIY-savvy, but it’s something that I’m working on. Growing a plant is on my list of 27 things and I’m thinking if I can keep these succulents alive for at least a month I can count it, right?
My sister is the sweetest and she gave me both of the terrarium containers pictured below. The star shaped terrarium came from Urban Outfitters and the smaller of the two was a thrift store find (this terrarium is very similar and I really like this container too). The smaller one originally had a little door, but I removed it so that the plants would fit.
What you will need:
terrarium container
potting soil
sheet moss
activated charcoal (also known as activated carbon)
a spoon or cup, depending on the size of your container
water
gloves (I don’t mind getting a little dirty, so I didn’t use any)
newspaper
about 30 minutes of your precious time
newspaper
about 30 minutes of your precious time
First up, picking out your plants (and all the other goodies listed above). I found almost everything I needed in the Garden section of Home Depot. There were some really pretty blood orange cacti, but they were a little too tall for the terrariums containers I was working with.
Time to get down to business. I laid down some tissue paper in the space I was working at. I figured it would make clean up easy. Things were going great until I spilled some water, you can image the mess that created. If I were you, I’d use newspaper or venture outside where a little spillage won’t matter.
I started by laying down activated charcoal (carbon) in the bottom of the terrarium containers. This stuff was ridiculously hard to find. After visiting several Home Depot’s and a Lowe’s I got a lead that I could probably find it at Petsmart and voila! there it was, in the fish section.
Next I spread a layer of soil, making sure to pat it down as I went to eliminate any air bubbles. I quickly realized that these containers are rather shallow which made it extremely hard to get the amount of soil in there that I was hoping for. After I broke up the roots on the plants and added them, I carefully I put more soil on top. To finish it off I watered my new babies (spoon fed) and placed them in the window sill where they will be sure to get the light they need. I killed the original succulents because I was a bad plant mom, but I made sure to read the plant care instructions this time around.
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I’m skeptical about how long the succulent in the star will last. I felt guilty shoving it into such a tiny space and I’m not sure its odd shape is conducive to housing a plant. We shall see.
You will also notice that I didn’t use any of the moss like I had planned. There was simply no room. I think if I were using a bigger container it would definitely come in handy to add a protective layer to the top.
Do you have any tips on keeping succulents alive? Help a sister out.
Let me preface this comment by saying that literally I cannot keep a plant alive. I blame my mom for this since she never was good at gardening and such never taught me to how to do anything with plants. I am *almost* convinced that I could keep this alive but I know it’s a trap and I would kill the plants.
http://www.theadoredlife.com
So cute! I love succulents, but I tend to kill them 🙁
Mimi used to always have a terrarium. She used a giant and I mean huge what looked like a brandy glass. She would cover it with plastic wrap when she was done. She said it kept the moisture in so she didn’t have to water as often, or maybe she said never? Sorry, I don’t remember. She was really good with plants. I used to take my dying ones to her and come back a few weeks later and she would have made them in to 3-4 new thriving ones! I hope you inherited her green thumb and not my black one! These look awesome! Love you!
I love it! I have a million succulents, or so it seems, and they all seem to want to die on me in the winter. Not sure what I’m doing wrong! My aloe vera plant is flourishing though. xoxo
http://www.chardincharge.com
Love this DIY post – great job. I’ve been wanting to recreate some terrariums in these parts, too. You might have just inspired me to do so!
Thanks so much Angela! I’m a tad bit nervous about killing mine!
I was told on Instagram today that terrariums/succulents are meant for people with black thumbs!
Thank you, Mom! I might have to try that out 🙂 I’m thinking about adding the door back on the smaller one to see if that will keep some of the moisture in…let’s hope I have Mimi’s green thumb.
Thank you so much! I’ve been known for not being able to keep plants alive. I’m so glad my sister picked out these for me 🙂
Thank you! Aloe vera? I need more info on this when we hang out again!
Thank you so, so much! I’m so happy that I inspired you!! It was a lot of fun and makes me want to plant more.
I’m obviously obsessed with this! Loved it so much I shared it on the Midwest Bloggers Instagram. Such a fun spring project! xx
Thanks so much for sharing! I’m hoping to start doing more of these, they are a lot of fun!
Great job & thanks for sharing! The only plant I’ve been able to keep alive so far is a Lucky Bamboo…they’re really easy to take care of haha So no tips from me ;( I’m following your blog, though!
Awesome, can’t wait to check yours out!! I’ve seen the bamboo before, but anything green scares me haha
I’ve had some trouble keeping terrariums alive, but I haven’t used the charcoal. Maybe I’ll try it again with that. Yours look beautiful. I love the hexagon planter!
Also, I’m in love wit the “Love What You Do” print. Where is it from?
I read somewhere that it helps…somehow! Thank you so much 🙂
You can find the print over on Ashley Ella Design and you “pay with a tweet!” http://www.ashleyelladesign.com/2013/07/super-pretty-printables.html
what an awesome idea! they turned out soo well. cant wait to try this!
http://www.thecasualclassic.com
This is so cool I love the star shaped planter ! I didn’t know urban outfitters sold them but it is great to know !! What is so fantastic is that if you do happen to accidentally kill your succulent you still have a really pretty pot not just a boring old plant pot !!! Amazing!
Victoria @ Alf & Emilio
http://alfandemilio.co.uk
I can’t believe that smaller one is from a thrift store! What a find! These are adorable. I have succulents that have been alive for around three months now- I’m shocked and keep expecting them to die any minute. Fingers staying crossed!
My sisters finds the BEST stuff. Mine are still holding on strong, I’ll cross my fingers for yours 🙂
These are adorable! I’m technically a plant serial killer, so I’m not sure how great my advice will be. However, with that being said, I do have a succulent that’s thriving. It’s a miracle. And honestly, my #1 tip is barely water it. I swear, I never water the thing and it’s still alive and kicking, green as ever. The ones I killed in the past I blame on accidental drowning. Hope this helps!
xo,
Natalie | CincinNatalie
cincin-natalie.com