Emma Sibley, Founder of London Terrariums is back! Get in the festive spirit with her step-by-step guide how to make your very own Christmas Terrarium, the perfect handmade gift.
"Terrariums are the amazing invention that transformed the botanical world in the Victorian Era. They allow you to cultivate tropical plants inside a sealed environment by creating their own humid ecosystem. Closed terrariums make great Christmas gifts - you can use a lot of things you will be able to find around the house and can personalise them with little figurines or characters or even crystals to make the perfect one!" - EMMA
How To Make A Festive Terrarium
STEP 1
Fill the bottom of the vessel with a small layer of stones, about 2-3cm is perfect. This allows for drainage and looks nice creating layers in your terrarium.
Fill the bottom of the vessel with a small layer of stones, about 2-3cm is perfect. This allows for drainage and looks nice creating layers in your terrarium.
STEP 2
If you manage to get hold of activated charcoal, use a teaspoon to cover the stones in a thin even layer, so the stones turn black on top. Charcoal filters the water and stops mould growing in your terrarium.
If you manage to get hold of activated charcoal, use a teaspoon to cover the stones in a thin even layer, so the stones turn black on top. Charcoal filters the water and stops mould growing in your terrarium.
STEP 3
Clean the inside of the glass with the sponge brush or paintbrush if needed, filling the vessel with compost, using your cork patting tool to gently pat down the compost to make it even. Fill the vessel to just a couple of centimetres below halfway. Again you can use a brush to clean the edges of the compost and the glass.
Clean the inside of the glass with the sponge brush or paintbrush if needed, filling the vessel with compost, using your cork patting tool to gently pat down the compost to make it even. Fill the vessel to just a couple of centimetres below halfway. Again you can use a brush to clean the edges of the compost and the glass.
STEP 4-5
Use the stick-end of the sponge brush or your finger to dig holes in the compost for your plants. Make sure you make large holes so that you can easily place the roots inside.
Separate your plants out, take as much compost off the roots as you can, making sure not to damage the roots, if there are any sad looking leaves now is the time to trim them off.
Use the stick-end of the sponge brush or your finger to dig holes in the compost for your plants. Make sure you make large holes so that you can easily place the roots inside.
Separate your plants out, take as much compost off the roots as you can, making sure not to damage the roots, if there are any sad looking leaves now is the time to trim them off.
STEP 6
Pop your plants through the top of the vessel. Use your patting tool to move the roots into the hole, and press compost against the base of your plant to stand them up. Continue to add the plants until you are happy. Remember though the plants will grow!
Pop your plants through the top of the vessel. Use your patting tool to move the roots into the hole, and press compost against the base of your plant to stand them up. Continue to add the plants until you are happy. Remember though the plants will grow!
STEP 7
Place moss onto the top of the soil and add stones on top for decoration if you wish!
Place moss onto the top of the soil and add stones on top for decoration if you wish!
STEP 8
Water your terrarium with a few sprays of water (or about two tablespoons) and pop the lid on. If you don’t have anything to seal your terrarium you will just have to water it once every 2 weeks.
Terrarium Care Tip
Once you have made your terrarium you should start to see a light condensation on the inside of the glass, as long as you continue to see this you wont need to water it at all. Just make sure you keep it out of any direct sun or heat and you will have a very happy terrarium!
Water your terrarium with a few sprays of water (or about two tablespoons) and pop the lid on. If you don’t have anything to seal your terrarium you will just have to water it once every 2 weeks.
Terrarium Care Tip
Once you have made your terrarium you should start to see a light condensation on the inside of the glass, as long as you continue to see this you wont need to water it at all. Just make sure you keep it out of any direct sun or heat and you will have a very happy terrarium!