MAKING A TERRARIUM

Making a TerrariumFor more information and

detailed instructions refer

to UK publication

4BE-15PO

https://kenton.ca.uky.edu

/files/4be15po.pdf

Supplies:

• Glass container with lid.

• Soil – porous and slightly moist. Some options include:

• Gravel – to aid in drainage.

• Charcoal – crushed to aid in odor control.

• Wood Moss – to line the container

Plants – Suggested Plants include:

• Woodland Plants - Reindeer Lichen, Small Ferns, Mosses

• House Plants – Small Ferns, English Ivy, African Violets

Accessories:

• Rocks, small figurines, shells, colored glass, bark

Instructions:

1. Wash the container and its top.

2. Line the inside of the container with the

wood moss.

3. Build your layers:

• Crushed charcoal thin layer on

bottom

• ½-1 in gravel next

• soil even with moss lining

4. Decide how you will view your terrarium and

arrange your plants. Make sure your plants

do not touch the sides or top of your

container so they have room to grow.

5. Scoop out the soil to make holes and set

your plants in place. Press the soil around the

roots being careful not to press too hard

6. Clean your plants leaves and sides of the

container if necessary.

7. Add accessories if desired.

8. Add a few teaspoons of water to the

container.

9. Cover your container leaving a small

opening for air.

This is the right

size plant for this

container.

This plant is too

big for this

container.

Continued Care

• Your terrarium needs light but not direct sunlight.

Heat from the sun will make the terrarium too hot

and your plants will die.

• Northeast or northern facing windows are best.

• Water your terrarium when the soil seems dry but

only a few teaspoonful at a time.

• As your terrarium grows you will need to remove

dead leaves and overgrown plants.

• If your container becomes foggy or dripping with

water remove the lid until the container clears.

• The soil should feel moist but not wet.

STEM Connections:

1. Make more than one terrarium using different plants. Keep a

science journal making comparisons.

2. Add detailed drawings of your plants labeling the parts.

3. Take measurements of the layers in the terrarium and the size

of the plants. Do they change? How quickly?

4. Make charts and/or graphs of the measurements and

changes you note.

5. Find fiction or non-fiction books about plants and read one.

6. Complete a 4-H Record book and enter you terrarium in your

county fair.

Record books for Kenton County are available online at:

https://kenton.ca.uky.edu/content/4-h-record-books

Diane KelleyKenton County CEA 4-H Youth Development

Lori Clark4-H Youth Development Assistant

Vanessa Sturgill4-H Youth Development Assistant