DIY Succulent Terrarium

I have always loved terrariums and have been inspired by so many that I have seen online...and I finally got around to creating some of my own.  Here are a few of my inspirations:

via Paula Hayes

via Botany Factory

via Decor*pad

via West Elm

To make your own terrarium, you'll need any type of glass container that you like.  In theory, it works better if the opening is smaller than the rest of the container so the terrarium will be self-sufficient and require less watering. You will also need several succulents depending upon the size of the container you choose.  I recommend picking several different types that range in size and color.  I used echeveria, alpenglow, haworthia and a tiny asparagus fern.  You can typically find succulents at your local garden centers or there are a few great online sources as well (gardenlife.com, westelm.com, amazon.com)

And finally you will need some soil and materials that are specifically made for succulents as well as small pebbles to ensure proper drainage of your terrarium.  I purchased mine from my local pet store (aquarium department) because they are natural colors and very cheap!

First, add a layer of the pebbles to the bottom of your container. This step is important because it will allow proper drainage in your terrarium and ensure the plants roots aren't sitting in water.  Following this, add a layer of the soil to the container- mine was around 2-3 inches thick.

Finally, take your individual succulents and form the appropriate size holes in your soil.  Place the root balls into the holes making sure to press down on the soil around the plant so they stay in place.  Remember to leave some space for the plants to grow, although succulents grow very slowly.  Also, if your container has an extremely small opening, you will want to add a layer of charcoal in between the pebbles and the soil to ensure the air within your terrarium stays fresh. Here is my finished product...

Care instructions- succulents are very hearty and live in dry, arid environments so they require very little care.  I recommend spraying your terrarium with a light mist (spray bottle) every week or when you notice the soil is very dry.  They prefer a lot of indirect light...so make sure they are not in a place where they receive a lot of direct sunlight or they will die.