Terrarium Talk!

A Fun and Chic Way to Keep Tropical Plants Thriving.

The Common Terrarium: Leaded Glass Encasement 

As we begin to play with the plants around our home, noticing how often they seem to dry out, or how yellow some of the leaves are...or when water comes running out of the pot's saucer and all over our furniture and carpet- we think, "There has GOT to be an easier way to keep some of my Favorite plants happier and healthier without all the work or mess!"  And then we rush to the sink to grab a cloth for our new spill.  We might even throw the sick little plant in the garbage.  Unfortunately, I have had to do this MANY times.  It is sad for my pocketbook and for my spirit.

There is a FUN, EASY, CREATIVE, and ATMOSPHERE-BENEFICIAL solution to the problem!

Terrariums are an old concept, dating way back to the 17th Century as a solution to transporting delicate specimen plants from the decks of ships into the sun during their travel across the world to some of the leading conservatory gardens of the time.  Rather than being placed in dark wooden crates for travel, they were placed in economically-made cases equipped with ventilation and transparent panes for optimal growth during transit.  This later latched on and became a Hot Topic and a regular practice for plant enthusiasts as the best way to keep their own personal collection thriving!

There are sooooo many models of terrariums in the industry today.  You will find leaded glass cases with a metal planting base (like the one pictured above).  You will find wooden crates with glass panes and a hinged lid (much like the old transit models).  You will find pots equipped with a glass dome, called a cloche, for easy access.  And you will also see the familiar hexagon-inspired, mirror-backed trend of the 80's still out there somewhere.  I like them all.  They all provide the same base of benefits for the plants: heavy humidity, low airflow, and heightened light absorption.

A Curvy Glass Jar With Wide Foliage Circumference and Lid.

Taking the concept and throwing a creative wrench in the process is always my goal in creating any kind of art.  In this case, I have found wonderful glass containers at some of my favorite stores and have given them the task of holding some of my more tropically-demanding plants.  In following the Basic Guidelines for Planting a Successful Terrarium, which I will cover at another time, you can add life to ANY container.  A fair Warning, though: Water will be your biggest enemy in this practice.  We must be very frugal with the amount of water we are putting into the glass containers (as it has NOWHERE to go once running through the soil).  A moist soil bed is key...never a drenched one.  These plants will thrive off the humidity that exists in the glass as their primary means of taking in water.  The container pictured above is planted with Croton and Philodendron in a very loose soil mix.  I rarely ever water this guy...and I always ensure to take the lid off from time to time to allow for air flow...other than that, it is as easy as plant-care gets!

A Stunning 3 ft. Glass Jar with Monkey's Paw Climbing to the Top!

 Put your climbing and trailing plants, such as Monkey's Paw or Philodendron, in a tall, thin vase- as to give them the lateral emphasis they need to grow upward.  This also makes for a really neat visual when looking through the glass at its upward motion.  Pictured here, I have a Monkey's Paw climbing to the top of this jar.  I planted this guy 6 months ago and it was barely big enough to be seen in this vase at all.  Now his tendrils and offshoots are almost ready to cascade out of the jar and give me an even neater show and texture.  Truly a favorite of mine at home.  The glass is covered so heavily with moisture droplets which constantly trickle into the soil below, that I NEVER have to water this guy- he waters himself!  Just like the 4th Grade Science Teacher said in a lesson about precipitation.

He's Here to Stay!

Always make sure to have fun with your creative ventures!  After all, where's the 'cool' in taking your craft too seriously to laugh at it from time to time.  In this Apothecary Jar, I have planted Baby's Tears in a loose bed of soil as to let the miniscule roots venture downward easily.  Because this is such a low-growing plant, I have added a little character to reside within the glass walls of this piece.  His name is Jayce and he always on the lookout for a kind visitor to help him escape.  Not gonna happen, Jayce!

Terrariums really are a great way to give your troublesome plants a break.  A break from drying out; a break from loosing all their leaves; and a break from too much attention from You, Their Keeper.  Try to find neat ways to display your plants in a manner that strikes conversation in the home.  Soon enough, you'll be an expert and you'll find all kinds of ways to take advantage of this Age-Old practice, which has lasted over 200 years.  My rule of thumb is: If it is still around after my Great-Grandparents have passed- it must be Kick-Ass! 

Cheers!