Terrarium Plant Care

Plant care instructions for your terrarium

Terrariums are a great introduction to understanding plants. On your own or at a terrarium workshop, you can create a succulent terrarium while learning how to create a little mini ecosystem of your own! Terrariums are very low maintenance and easy to care for. The succulent in your terrarium can survive with little water and indirect light. To keep your glass garden terrarium happy and healthy there are a few plant care tips to keep in mind. 

Water

When to water?

Approximately 2-3 months after you first build your terrarium you can finally water it. Your succulent was placed on a fresh mount of soil-sand mix and you'll need to allow it to settle over the next few months. The roots of your succulent will work their way into the mount of soil mix, adapting to it's new terrarium environment. While the succulent is adapting to it's new environment it will feed from the nutrients within the soil mix, any additional watering can damage it. After approximately two to three months, water the succulent in your terrarium. Only do this every several months when you're sure the soil has gone completely dry. 

How do I water my succulent terrarium?

Use a water bottle that has a release mechanism, we do not recommend using a regular spray bottle. Our Succulent Water Bottle provides the perfect water release to your succulent. Succulents are highly susceptible to root-rot. Our Succulent Water Bottle allows you to slightly dig the nozzle of the water bottle, below all succulent leaves, into the dirt (under your top layer) to lightly release water, wetting the soil mix and roots.

Water the roots of each plant, making sure to lightly spritz the soil around that plant. Remember, there is are no holes at the bottom of the terrarium for the water to get air from, therefore the smallest possible amount of water is best, otherwise you may begin to see the succulent struggle to survive.

Water around the roots, giving your succulent's roots a spurt of water every few months. The succulent leaves are allowed to get wet, but do not rely on this method of watering for a full-cycled watering. Focus your watering on each plant's roots, after weeks to months of no water. 

How often should I water?

Overwatering is the number one reason a succulent will die. Ensure the plant has dried out before watering. When in doubt, don't water. In all honesty, the less you water, the more your succulent will grow. Our terrarium shown in this picture grew significantly in height in four months without water. 

Succulents are desert plants and like to totally dry between waterings. With moisture in the air, succulents do not need to be watered for months. Succulents like to have their soil moistened but never to the point where the root is so saturated that it cannot dry itself out again. Set a watering schedule for your terrarium to every 2-4 months, depending on the moisture in the air and stick to it. Terrariums thrive on a regular and appropriate watering plan.

How do I know if I have overwatered my terrarium?

The root of your succulent may look like it's darkening lower on the succulent's base stem. This is from too much water held in and around the roots. If you have a sealed terrarium, condensation may build up. This signals excess water in the succulent. Open the lid until the condensation disappears. If you have an open terrarium, wipe the glass with a paper towel. 

Mold is another signal that you are over-watering your terrarium. Carefully clean the mold off the leaves and soil, removing the mold from the terrarium. Move your terrarium to a brighter space in your home and refrain from watering the terrarium until the soil fully dries out. If a succulent dies in your terrarium from over watering you may want to replant your whole terrarium to save the remaining plants inside. 

Light 

Where should I place my terrarium in my home? 

Place your succulent terrarium in a bright nook of your home or office. You will want to place your succulent terrarium in a bright space but not a spot where your terrarium would get too hot. Keep in mind that glass tends to magnify direct sun and can potentially burn your plants. If your terrarium feels hot, re-locate it. 

A lot of natural, in-direct sunlight is where you will want to place your terrarium, it needs light to stay dry, but not burn from the heat. Do not place your terrarium near or on a radiator or air conditioner, nor near a door or window with a cool draft. Finding the correct placement for your terrarium is key to it's success.

How much light should my terrarium receive a day?

Terrariums need at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight. Think of their natural desert environment. Place your terrarium where it can receive some direct light where the rays shine daylight on the leaves of the plant. Generally, anywhere where the sun naturally lights up a room. Unobstructed southern and western exposures are the most constant and warmest sources of direct light. 

Troubleshooting 

The bottom leaves have dried out and look brown, what do I do?

If your succulents leaves look like they're turning brown and crunchy this means that the succulents in your terrarium is under-watered or is growing from the nutrients of the bottom leaves, this is fine. Your succulent will eat nutrients from the bottom leaves to grow upwards. This can be part of it's growth cycle. 

If the leaves look completely dead, carefully remove the leaves from the plant with pruning scissors or eyebrow tweezers. This won't harm the succulent. If the full stem of your succulent is dark the succulent may have died off. 

What to do when your succulent looks yellow?

If you notice the leaves are turning yellow at the bottom of the succulent this means they have received too much water. It’s okay to pluck these away, they'll regenerate. If this has happened to your terrarium, refrain from watering the terrarium until the soil dries, let your succulent completely dry out before watering again. 

If succulent leaves accidentally are knocked off they can be propagated.