Create a terrarium

Materials needed:

Fishbowl or glass jar
Small stones
Horticultural charcoal
Potting soil
Plants (see below!)
Water

Wash the glass container with hot soapy water and dry it completely.

Layer the bottom of the container with one inch layer of small stones, then a half inch layer of charcoal, and finally two to three inches of potting soil. To make plants visible, pile the soil higher on one side than the other.

Dig small holes in soil for planting.

Plant your terrarium. Take the plants from their pots and remove the extra soil from the roots. Place the plants in holes and cover the roots with the soil. Place the taller plants in the back. Lightly water the soil but do not make it too wet.

Decorate your container with pretty stones or figurines.

Maintain your terrarium. Be sure to place it in indirect sunlight. Keep plants pruned so they don’t outgrow the container.
Don’t over water. Feel the soil. If it is damp, do not water. Slight misting on the sides of your container is a sign of a well-balanced terrarium.

Recommended plants for your terrarium

Moss and lichen
Begonias
Spider plants
Small palms
Miniature orchids
Miniature ferns
Wintergreens
African Violets
Baby tears
Hepaticas
Gloxinias
Coleuses

Learn more about terrariums:

In the Library

The Terrarium: Setting Up and Maintaining a Terrarium Made Easy: Expert Advice for First-time Terrarium Owners by Harald Jes
Here are detailed instructions for designing, building, and maintaining a home terrarium. Also included are instructions for maintaining terrarium plant life plus advice on caring for frogs, lizards, snakes and other animals appropriate for terrarium.

The World of Terrariums by Charles L. Wilson
Describes each step in the designing, building, and care of a terrarium.

Ruthie Bon Bair:
Do Not Go To Bed with Wringing Wet Hair!
By, Susan Lubner   Illustrated by Bruce Whatley
www.susanlubner.com