Oooh I am so excited about this week’s Mason Jar Terrarium Tutorial – always fancied a mini garden in a jar? Well now is your “chance” to learn “how to”… It is a guest post from the gorgeous Jamie from Scissors & Steam. I have been wanting to make Terrarium with the children for a few weeks now. Red Ted is so interested in nature and how things grow, that I thought he would really enjoy one of these indoor mini gardens. Especially, as winter drags on a little longer! So it is wonderful to have Jamie here. A relatively new blog – Scissors & Steam – well worth a visit – you will find all things wonderful in the world of design. Crafts from crochet to DIY Wine Bottle Glasses (I LOVE THESE! What a fabulous way to recycle!).
Right… now to Jamie and the Terrariums!
My husband works in a bleak, windowless wasteland of cubicles and fluorescent lights. He got the bright idea to install a terrarium gro-light at his desk, so he can have a little jungle of plants and his very own bubble of non-circulated, forest-fresh oxygen.
Lately I’ve been pulling up bits of plants and sticking them in mason jars. Sometimes in soil, sometimes just in water. Some take root and some die… Kind of like my thoughts in general, actually. The man was ogling some creeping jenny that was lushly growing in a little jar by the window, so I thought I’d make him a little desktop garden.
You’ll need:
- A jar
- Some little plants
- Handful of dry moss
- Handful of smallish rocks or glass marbles
- Dirt, preferably cactus dirt
I started out with this one big jar, to create an enclosed environment. (I ended up not using the foxtail plant in the picture; it was too tall)
Take a handful of moss and layer it on the bottom of the jar. It should be fairly thick. The moss keeps water from just sitting on the bottom of the jar and turning brown and nasty.
RAAAWWWWRRRR. Seriously, what guy wouldn’t dig a T-Rex hiding out in the foliage? No guy. That’s who.
The other three terrariums I threw together at the same time. These are so easy to make, and even easier to maintain.Don’t overwater!!! Just spray them down with a mister, or sprinkle in some water when the dirt starts to get dry. Stick your finger in the dirt, and if you feel wet, don’t water it yet. Unless the plants look sad. If they look like they need a hug and a pep-talk, give them a little. The water has nowhere to go, so give the plants just enough to survive. Deprive them for their own good. Keep them trimmed back, too.
If you make an enclosed bio-sphere environment (i.e., you put the lid on the jars) just open them up once a month or so and give them a misting. The humidity in the jar will be fine for their moisture, as long as you don’t open it up too often.
Thanks for reading! If you liked the Mason Jar Terrarium Tutorial, please follow me! (c’mon do it. DO IT. peeeeeeer pressure. this is your brain on my blog. um, lol. btw I’m a freakin’ weirdo.) I’m on Pinterest andBloglovin’ too. Scissors and Steam is still shiny and new so please share with your friends and help spread the word! I’ve got TONS more where this came from. 🙂
technomole says
January 27, 2012 at 9:05 amGreat idea, and a great use for old jars, I\’ve done something similar using old lightbulbs to make mini terrariums, although they can only really hold one type of plant.
Great how to 🙂
Red Ted Art says
January 27, 2012 at 10:53 amIn a light bulb – wow!!! I would love to see that!!!
Liz Burton says
January 27, 2012 at 12:06 pmHow lovely. Love the T-Rex in there too!
Rebecca says
January 27, 2012 at 12:07 pmWhat a lovely idea. Any tips for keeping house plants alive, I\’m so rubbish with them.
Red Ted Art says
January 27, 2012 at 12:12 pm@ Liz – I have seen whole little landscapes in jars – with little people and boats. So cute!
@rebecca – if only it were that easy… to answer in one swoop – all plants will vary – need more or less light/ more or less water etc? Am guessing common reasons for plants not doing well is over or under watering them?
Multiple Mummy says
January 27, 2012 at 12:14 pmThat is such a cute idea. I love the dinosaurs hidden in it!
Thanks for linking to Family Frolics. x
Isil says
January 27, 2012 at 12:20 pmI have been wanting to make one for ages but where do I find some moss? I mean,do I collect it from nature or can I find it in shops?Sorry if this sounds a bit silly.x
Red Ted Art says
January 27, 2012 at 5:33 pmA very good question Isil – I would buy it online (e.g. http://www.netpetshop.co.uk/p-27684-zoo-med-reptile-terrarium-moss-substrate.aspx?CAWELAID=525519541) it looks like pet stores supply it. Would ask at your local garden centre too!
Roopa@putti prapancha says
January 27, 2012 at 6:11 pmLovely tutorial! Have been wanting to make one with putti for ages..
Red Ted Art says
January 27, 2012 at 6:27 pmThanks Roopa!!!
momandkiddo says
January 27, 2012 at 7:10 pmI have always wanted to to this and these are great instructions!
Jamie says
January 27, 2012 at 10:50 pmWow, thanks so much for the awesome intro! I\’m so honored to be able to guest post here!! 🙂
To answer Isil\’s question… I got the moss at Michael\’s (I believe). You can buy packages of moss at a lot of craft stores, usually in the fake flower section. If you gather it wild, you run the risk of bringing home tiny little buggers like mites and chiggers. Not something you want in your terrarium!
Thanks again, I\’m glad you all enjoyed my tutorial! 🙂
Carolyn Wilhelm says
January 28, 2012 at 4:05 amThis is a sight for sore winter eyes, thanks so much. This is a great idea right aboit now. You practically have a book on the subject! Thank you so much. Carolyn
Emma @Mummymummymum says
January 28, 2012 at 12:32 pmWhat a great idea! Maybe one for Science sparks!
Red Ted Art says
January 28, 2012 at 4:05 pmI thought you may like it on Science Sparks.. right up your street!
Terri says
January 28, 2012 at 5:01 pmA terrarium has been on my “I want to make” list for a very long time! Now this makes me want to get going on it!
Kasia says
January 28, 2012 at 5:08 pmThis is a great idea. Our little garden in yoghurt cups died, so this is a great inspiration. Thank you
Crystal @ Growing A Jeweled Rose says
January 28, 2012 at 6:56 pmThese are great! Thanks for the detailed tutorial!
Rebecca @ Natural Mothers Network says
February 2, 2012 at 12:18 pmRed Ted thank you very much for placing this post on Natural Mothers Network\’s linky: Seasonal Celebration! You helped make Seasonal Celebration a wealth of intelligent, creative and resourceful information and it\’s been such a pleasure for me and many others to read through each post. I am really looking forward to seeing you again Sunday evening or Monday! Rebecca x
Red Ted Art says
February 2, 2012 at 5:46 pmAaah thank you so much for the very warm welcome!!! And look forward to more sharing! x
Tatjana says
February 2, 2012 at 12:31 pmOoh, I love those! Goes on my list of “things to have in my own little home soon” 🙂
Red Ted Art says
February 2, 2012 at 5:45 pmMost definitely!
charmaine says
August 21, 2012 at 8:01 amawesome! i love the t-rex idea 😀
Nicole says
November 5, 2012 at 8:49 pmThank you so much for this, my husband also works in a cubical & is in need of something ‘Lively” making a few right now 🙂 so easy. Also collected rocks from the beach & the moss from the trees… so just had to buy the cactus soil & plants.. super cheap & THOUGHTFUL gift.
Melinda Suber says
January 2, 2013 at 10:27 pmI just made this with my daughter and it was so fun. I will make this again for my friends desk.
EileenA EileenA says
March 29, 2014 at 1:18 pmLove it, I’ll make it for my kitchen windowsill, and for gifts super idea thank you!
Maria says
April 25, 2016 at 2:07 pmI just took a terrarium class from a master gardener, and she said to add 1 spoonful of activated carbon (can purchase at any fish tank supply store) between the rocks and the dirt. Just sprinkle it over the gravel/ rocks. It keeps the water and clean. They are so cute and fun!
Red Ted Art says
April 25, 2016 at 6:20 pmOoh thanks for the tip!