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Terrariums

A tiny forest in a jar that waters itself.

3levels, ending in jar gardens that last for years
24 mina Step, on average
$53to start Level 1
FreeLevel 1, always

The path

  1. 1
    Level 1Free

    Jar Gardens

    Two sealed jars, one with a scene

    15 Steps, about 24 minutes each. Anyone with a windowsill and a jar. No gardening experience needed.

    1. Chapter 1: First jars. A quick moss jar, your materials and plants chosen, and your first closed terrarium built and sealed.
    2. Chapter 2: Settling in. Your terrarium read, balanced and tidied through its first weeks, with any mold dealt with.
    3. Chapter 3: Design a scene. A second terrarium with rocks and wood designed as a little landscape, settled and finished.
    1. 1
      Make a moss jar
      A small jar of moss and stones, sealed and on your shelf.
      Show your group
    2. 2
      Choose your jar and spot
      A jar for your first full terrarium and the right spot in your home picked.
    3. 3
      Get your layers ready
      Drainage, barrier and substrate measured out and ready to build.
    See all 15 Steps
    1. 4
      Pick your plants
      Two or three plants for a closed jar, plus moss.
    2. 5
      Build your first terrarium
      Your first closed terrarium, planted, misted and sealed.
      Show your group
    3. 6
      Read the condensation
      A check of how foggy the glass gets, and the moisture adjusted if needed.
    4. 7
      Watch for mold
      Any mold or rotting leaves found and removed.
    5. 8
      Trim and tidy
      Plants trimmed back from the glass, and the jar cleaned up.
    6. 9
      Find the right light
      Your terrarium moved to the best light in your home, and a note of how it's growing.
    7. 10
      Two-week check
      A healthy, balanced jar after two weeks, with a photo to compare.
      Show your group
    8. 11
      Design a scene
      A sketch and a collection of rocks and wood for your second terrarium.
    9. 12
      Build the hardscape
      Layers in, with rocks and wood placed into a scene.
    10. 13
      Plant the scene
      Plants and moss added around your hardscape, misted and sealed.
    11. 14
      Settle the scene
      Your second terrarium checked for moisture and mold after its first days.
    12. 15
      Show off your jars
      Both terrariums photographed together, with one shared or given away.
      Show your group
  2. Level 2Unlocks after Level 1

    Bioactive Worlds

    A jar with a cleanup crew and slopes

  3. Level 3Unlocks after Level 2

    Paludariums

    A tank with land and water

Where it ends: jar gardens that last for years

Free lessons in Jar Gardens come from Terrarium Tribe, Kraft Stories, Ome Design, Leafy Place, benjiplant, Leafy Zen, SyBotanica, Biome in a Bottle, Gardenista. We link to their work and never copy it.

Cover photo by Mr. Pugo on Unsplash