6 tips for creating a natural terrarium

Looking for tips and tricks for creating a natural terrarium? Today, we are going to talk about these unique environments and their maintenance. On the agenda, a list of recommendations that you can apply to your terrarium to keep it healthy.

Tip #1: creating the terrarium

To set up and install a terrarium, there are techniques as well as the possibility of using certain materials such as peat blocks or substrates.

That said, it is creativity that will distinguish a beautiful terrarium from another. And if you have a few means and resources on hand, you can manage to do some very beautiful things.

Ideally, do not limit yourself to a single technique. Try to think creatively, to have an open and curious mind! Test many things: you can very well stack stones, put in a root, or hide plants!

Tip #2: grow nice green moss

Do not harvest moss from the forest

One of the first things to remember about moss is that it often turns yellow. Furthermore, take care not to collect it in the forest. First, because it is prohibited.

But also because forest mosses are not made to be in a tropical and humid terrarium. That is, in fact, why they usually end up turning yellow and withering: they are made to have seasonal cycles.

Prioritize aquarium mosses

As an alternative to forest moss, we therefore recommend that you use aquarium mosses for an optimal result. Indeed, aquarium mosses generally come from tropical regions.

This type of moss lives very well in a terrarium. And, where there is humidity, they will develop perfectly. Keep your terrarium healthy and pleasant to look at with nice green moss!

Tip #3: automate your terrarium

We particularly recommend automating the terrarium and, by extension, creating cycles. To do this, one can use dedicated equipment or turn to small minute timers offered by hardware stores and supermarkets.

These accessories usually only cost a few euros and allow for natural cycles for the small ecosystem of your terrarium. And for good reason, plants and animals need such cycles to stay healthy.

Program the times at which your terrarium will turn on or off. In this way, you will optimize the pump's lifespan. At the same time, this allows for more humidity during the day, and a little less at night.

Tip #4: add substrate to your terrarium

If you want to create a planted wall or if you plan to plant plants, adding substrate can be an excellent alternative. Among other things, this will limit the mold problems that could affect the entire terrarium.

Adding substrate will promote the root development of your plants while limiting the appearance of fungi, parasites, etc.

The base

First, there is the base. The base must also be composed of peat, coconut fiber, soil, and mist. We will add sand to it. The sand will allow you to lighten your substrate and drain it. This is important.

Bark

Next, you must add bark. You have quite a few possibilities: coconut bark, pine bark, etc. A few centimeters that will allow for aeration of the substrate.

Sphagnum moss

Finally, and very importantly, there is sphagnum moss and its extraordinary powers. It will be able to retain water. Sphagnum moss can hold 20 times its weight, it has a fairly low pH that will help make your soil acidic.

Tip #5: add detritivores

These are almost essential elements for a terrarium. Indeed, they will participate in cleaning and scrubbing the latter. At the same time, the detritivores will also produce humus.

Some examples of detritivores:

• springtails,
• woodlice,
• cockroaches,
• earthworms

In other words, this will be the base fertilizer that will enrich the soil while promoting plant growth. This is super important because it will consume the organic waste present in your terrarium.

Finally, you can optionally add a little charcoal into it. This will limit the appearance and development of bacteria and other microbes. However, it is not mandatory.

Tip #6: choose the right water for the terrarium

Use a reverse osmosis system

For terrariums, the ideal is always to use reverse osmosis water. Reverse osmosis systems for filtering water are generally found in garden centers.

This will allow, among other things, only the smallest minerals like calcium and magnesium, as well as water molecules, to pass through. Before passing through an osmotic membrane, the reverse osmosis system makes the water go through several filters.

Use rainwater

If you do not have the possibility of buying a reverse osmosis system, you can always use rainwater. That will also do the trick. However, take care to let it sit for at least 24 hours. You will probably have to clean a little more often, but you can do that.

Use tap water

As much as possible, we recommend avoiding the use of tap water for your terrarium: it is not good for it. Water coming from taps can contain chlorine, limescale, and, depending on the pipes, traces of metals.

Now, if you use tap water, it won't kill your plants either. If you have no choice, make sure to let it sit for some time before pouring it onto your plants.

Humidity: a parameter not to be overlooked in a terrarium

Finally, it is important to keep in mind that humidity must be regularly checked. For optimal maintenance and depending on their origin and species, terrarium animals need certain levels of humidity and temperature.

These levels can be easily checked with a device like the TerraControl, a terrarium thermometer.

Conclusion

The installation and maintenance of a terrarium is a real pleasure, a true passion. You can create your own little corner of nature in a jar or an aquarium, and develop an entire ecosystem. In any case, we are convinced that it is really worth trying!

There are now more and more terrarium enthusiasts, many of whom have several at home. Their installations have even transformed the decor into something fantastic!

We wish you a lot of pleasure!