A terrarium is, in most cases, a sealable container that contains soil and plants within. These containers are most frequently made of glass and are used as ornamentation, decoration, and as an easy way to bring greenery to areas that might not typically have it. Terraria aren’t new – in fact, they’ve been around since the mid 1800’s – but in recent years it has become much easier to gain access to the different aspects that come together to create the thriving indoor or outdoor terraria you know and love.
Wagner Greenhouses is happy to be your one-stop-shop for all things terrarium, with all of our retail locations having a wide variety of different accessories, plants, containers, and soil for you to use in the creation of your dream terrarium.
How do I decide what types of plants to use for my terrarium?
If you’re ever unsure about any plant-related decision you’re about to make, you can always contact us online or talk to one of our in-store experts to have your questions answered. That aside, we have a few tips for anyone looking to put together their very first terrarium.
First off, there are two main different types of terraria that require different care methods: closed terraria and open ones.
- A closed terrarium is best suited for tropical plant varieties, since the enclosed nature of these terraria (through a glass cloche or similar close-topped container) imitates the humid environments that these varieties of plant thrive in. Types of plants that thrive in closed terraria include air plants, ferns, mosses, and orchids. The mixture of soil you use must also be appropriate for these types of plants, as they need a special blend to lessen the chance of microbial damage and promote healthy growth. The type of blends you need can frequently be bought pre-mixed to make care easy. Water still circulates in these types of terraria, and they do need to be watered from time to time, but if you’re the carer to a closed terrarium you need to remember to open it up at least once a week for a few hours to allow for excess moisture that has built up within to escape so there is no opportunity for mold to grow. As long as you have the right container, plants, soil, and care, you can easily be parent to a beautiful closed terrarium.
- An open terrarium, like the ones made inside of terra cotta pots you may see on a neighbor’s deck or in their front front yard, are more suited to dry plants, such as the ever-popular succulent or various types of cactus. Closed terraria are very moist, so inversely an open terraria is going to be for plants that don’t need a wet environment and instead prefer more sun and air.
Stop in today to one of our retail locations to take a look at the wide variety of things we offer at Wagner Greenhouses to can help you build your dream Minnesota terrarium.
