RESEARCH STARTER

Terrarium

A terrarium is a miniature ecosystem that features live plants and natural materials, typically housed in a glass or plastic container. These containers can be either fully enclosed or partially open, allowing for various environmental conditions. Terrariums can mimic diverse natural settings such as deserts, forests, or beaches, showcasing plants that naturally thrive together. While primarily designed for plant growth, terrariums can also serve as habitats for small insects and animals.

The concept of the terrarium originated with Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward in the 19th century when he observed plant growth in a sealed jar intended for studying insects. This led to the creation of Wardian cases, which facilitated the transport of plants across long distances, introducing species like bananas and rubber trees to new regions. Building a terrarium involves layering materials for drainage, purifying the environment, and selecting compatible plants that share similar care requirements. They can range from simple designs to intricate landscapes, with care focused on maintaining moisture levels and avoiding direct sunlight to protect the plants. Popular choices for terrarium plants include ferns, dwarf palms, and mosses, while succulents thrive in open setups.

Full Article

A terrarium is a miniature landscape with live plants and natural materials that is enclosed in a glass or plastic container. The container can be fully closed or be partially open. Plants that grow together in nature can be included. This makes a terrarium resemble a small piece of any number of different natural environments, such as a desert, mountainside, forest, marsh, or beach. Most terrariums are established for the sake of the plants, though they can also be used as habitats for insects and small animals, such as lizards.

Background

The first terrarium was created unintentionally by English physician Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward (1791–1868). In 1829, Ward was studying live insects he had living in jars. In one of the jars, he had a moth chrysalis and some mold. He observed that in the closed environment, moisture condensed on the sides of the jar during the day and returned into the dirt at the bottom at night. After a few days, he noticed some fern and grass seedlings sprouting. Ward created closed glass boxes that he called Wardian cases. The enclosed environment in the cases made it possible to ship plants long distances and allowed plant species to be introduced to parts of the world other than where they originated. Bananas, tea, and rubber trees are among the plants that were brought to new areas through these first terrariums.

Overview

Terrariums can be relatively simple, such as a jar with a single plant inside, or complex miniature replicas of natural landscapes. They can be nearly any size or shape, but larger containers with big openings are easier to plant and to care for. Many different types of plants can be used as long as they will fit in the jar and not outgrow the environment too quickly. All the plants used in a single terrarium should have the same growing requirements.

Some of the things required to plant a successful terrarium include: a clean container large enough for the desired plants; sand, gravel, or small rocks for drainage at the bottom of the container; a layer of peat or sphagnum moss to keep dirt from sifting into the drainage area; charcoal chips to help purify the environment; and sterilized soil suitable for the plants being used. Once these things have been layered into the container, the plants and any rocks or other decorative items can be added. The design can be as elaborate or simple as desired.

The completed terrarium needs to be placed out of direct sunlight, which can be intensified by the glass and burn the plants. The moisture level needs to be monitored, though closed containers will need less water than open containers. Closed containers will develop the pattern that Ward observed, where water will condense and then return to the soil. This is in effect a rain cycle established inside the terrarium and will keep the plants alive with little outside help. However, some water may need to be removed or added until the cycle is established.

Plants that grow best in a terrarium include slow growing, smaller sized plants. Ferns, dwarf palms, and mosses are good choices. Succulents and cacti do well when planted together in an open container.


Bibliography

Christiansen, Marla, and Lisa Milbrand. “29 Low-Maintenance Houseplants Most Likely to Survive All Year Long.” Real Simple, 20 Dec. 2024, www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/low-maintenance-houseplants-winter. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

“Make a Terrarium Mini-Garden.” Climate Kids, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 4 Mar. 2025, climatekids.nasa.gov/mini-garden/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

Maylack, Jen. “How a Glass Terrarium Changed the World.” The Atlantic, 12 Nov. 2017, www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/11/how-a-glass-terrarium-changed-the-world/545621/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

Nalewicki, Jennifer, and Joseph Truini. “Build a Terrarium in 6 Steps.” Popular Mechanics, 16 Nov. 2020, www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/how-to/a9093/build-a-terrarium-in-6-steps-15574536/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

“So You Want to Create a Terrarium?” Government of Bermuda Department of Environment and Natural Resources, environment.bm/terrariums. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.


Full Article

A terrarium is a miniature landscape with live plants and natural materials that is enclosed in a glass or plastic container. The container can be fully closed or be partially open. Plants that grow together in nature can be included. This makes a terrarium resemble a small piece of any number of different natural environments, such as a desert, mountainside, forest, marsh, or beach. Most terrariums are established for the sake of the plants, though they can also be used as habitats for insects and small animals, such as lizards.

Background

The first terrarium was created unintentionally by English physician Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward (1791–1868). In 1829, Ward was studying live insects he had living in jars. In one of the jars, he had a moth chrysalis and some mold. He observed that in the closed environment, moisture condensed on the sides of the jar during the day and returned into the dirt at the bottom at night. After a few days, he noticed some fern and grass seedlings sprouting. Ward created closed glass boxes that he called Wardian cases. The enclosed environment in the cases made it possible to ship plants long distances and allowed plant species to be introduced to parts of the world other than where they originated. Bananas, tea, and rubber trees are among the plants that were brought to new areas through these first terrariums.

Overview

Terrariums can be relatively simple, such as a jar with a single plant inside, or complex miniature replicas of natural landscapes. They can be nearly any size or shape, but larger containers with big openings are easier to plant and to care for. Many different types of plants can be used as long as they will fit in the jar and not outgrow the environment too quickly. All the plants used in a single terrarium should have the same growing requirements.

Some of the things required to plant a successful terrarium include: a clean container large enough for the desired plants; sand, gravel, or small rocks for drainage at the bottom of the container; a layer of peat or sphagnum moss to keep dirt from sifting into the drainage area; charcoal chips to help purify the environment; and sterilized soil suitable for the plants being used. Once these things have been layered into the container, the plants and any rocks or other decorative items can be added. The design can be as elaborate or simple as desired.

The completed terrarium needs to be placed out of direct sunlight, which can be intensified by the glass and burn the plants. The moisture level needs to be monitored, though closed containers will need less water than open containers. Closed containers will develop the pattern that Ward observed, where water will condense and then return to the soil. This is in effect a rain cycle established inside the terrarium and will keep the plants alive with little outside help. However, some water may need to be removed or added until the cycle is established.

Plants that grow best in a terrarium include slow growing, smaller sized plants. Ferns, dwarf palms, and mosses are good choices. Succulents and cacti do well when planted together in an open container.


Bibliography

Christiansen, Marla, and Lisa Milbrand. “29 Low-Maintenance Houseplants Most Likely to Survive All Year Long.” Real Simple, 20 Dec. 2024, www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/low-maintenance-houseplants-winter. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

“Make a Terrarium Mini-Garden.” Climate Kids, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 4 Mar. 2025, climatekids.nasa.gov/mini-garden/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

Maylack, Jen. “How a Glass Terrarium Changed the World.” The Atlantic, 12 Nov. 2017, www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/11/how-a-glass-terrarium-changed-the-world/545621/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

Nalewicki, Jennifer, and Joseph Truini. “Build a Terrarium in 6 Steps.” Popular Mechanics, 16 Nov. 2020, www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/how-to/a9093/build-a-terrarium-in-6-steps-15574536/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

“So You Want to Create a Terrarium?” Government of Bermuda Department of Environment and Natural Resources, environment.bm/terrariums. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.


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