How to Create a Closed Terrarium | Ecosystem in a Jar

How To Create a Closed Terrarium for Free
Terrariums are a fun outdoors project. Join me as I show you how to build a closed native terrarium in a sealed jar using moss, plants, hardscape, and insects found around the countryside, in parks or gardens. A terrariums is an enclosed ecosystem that can be self-sustaining, meaning you can have a slice of the natural world on your windowsill. They are great for relaxation, giving you a little chunk of nature to create and enjoy.
Life in a Closed Terrarium: • Life in a Closed Terra...
Watch another terrarium tutorial: • How to Create a Closed...
A terrarium is an enclosed ecosystem which can be entirely self-sustaining. Once set up and watered, you will never need to open it again since it will regulate its own water and nutrient cycles.
Before we begin, you will need an airtight container. Some good examples include glass jars with clip tops, screw on lids or corks but for my example I’ll be using a large jar with a lid which screws tightly on top, allowing it to retain the moisture in the air.
Other equipment you may need includes porous mesh (optional) which allows water through but not substrate, some rocks or gravel, some activated carbon for fish tank filters or charcoal, and a selection of small to medium sized local plants and mosses.
The first step is to place about an inch of stones or gravel in the base of your container. Next, sprinkle on a coating of activated carbon sticks or charcoal to help with filtration.
The next step is to cut out the shape of the base of your container from the porous mesh. It needs to cover the gravel layer entirely so it’s best to cut it slightly larger than the shape itself. Once this is in place over the gravel, you can add the soil. The purpose of this gravel layer is to separate the standing water from the soil to avoid roots rotting. The water will collect here as a water reservoir then will evaporate, condensate on the walls of your glass container and then fall back down into the substrate, effectively replicating the natural water cycle. This will ensure that the terrarium will naturally water itself.
Moving onto the soil, a good soil mix should retain moisture well and be a mix of dead leaves, moss and compost. The soil layer should be deeper than your gravel layer to allow root space.
Next, let’s add some plants to the terrarium. I will be making this a native terrarium so will be using plants from nearby parks and gardens. You could use tropical plants for yours instead. Place your choice of plants in the terrarium, paying close attention to your arrangement and how you would like it to look aesthetically. Think about putting larger plants in the background and smaller ones in the foreground. Moss is excellent for ground covering as it will eventually spread and make your terrarium look lush and wild. I’ve used a few different varieties of temperate moss inline and positioned them in-between the main plants. When choosing plants, pick some with a variety of leaf types and shades of green. Also, if you come across any worms or woodlice, set them aside for later as worms will help add nutrients to the soil and woodlice will decompose any dead matter which will help to break down nutrients. These nutrients will be absorbed by the plants through their roots via osmosis.
You can also add pieces of bark or wood for landscaping.
The final step is to water your terrarium by misting. Spray a very generous amount of water over the plants and moss to help them settle and to provide the ecosystem with water which will be continuously cycled throughout the terrarium.
And there we have it, the perfect addition to your windowsill. You now have your very own tiny ecosystem in a jar. Observe how the plant life changes and spreads over time.You may notice that some die but this is normal. Other plants will grow in its place and seeds will spread.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:30 What is a Terrarium?
00:56 What You Need
01:31 Gathering Terrarium Supplies
03:03 Step 1: Terrarium False Bottom
03:58 Step 2: Sediment/Soil Layer
05:11 Step 3: Terrarium Plants and Hardscape
06:30 Step 4: Adding Water
07:18 How Terrariums Sustain Themselves
07:42 Step 5: Adding Insects
09:03 How do the Insects Breathe
09:37 Outro
Music Used:
Blue Ridge Mountains by Fleet Foxes (James LeRouge Cover)
Promise by Ben Howard (Rêveur Voyageur Cover)
Everything by Ben Howard (Live Version)
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[@faceoddity373]

Making a terrarium sounds like a cute date idea, imagine walking in the woods together gathering moss! By the way I made one today and I'm so proud of it, if you're reading this you should try too :) Oh and leave this guy a like cause he deserves it all!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Pinned! Thank you so much for the kind words @Faceoddity 😊 I hope many people see this comment and are inspired by your experience

[@faceoddity373]

@@NaturalWorldFacts Thank you!

[@Bluecho4]

It's also an excellent project to do with children, whether within a household or in a school context.

[@faceoddity373]

@@Bluecho4 That's right!

[@AliRaza-on8ux]

@@faceoddity373 .

[@nimorayandsa8935]

I thought wow this guy has exactly the same voice as the deep sea video guy. Then I realized I was on that channel :D I love your work!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

That’s amazing, haha!! 😂 And thank you so much for watching even though it’s a deviation from the usual content! Your support means a lot, i really appreciate it :D

[@nimorayandsa8935]

@@NaturalWorldFacts I like terrariums also. I follow several such channels so this is why I didn’t know where I was at first:))

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

@Nimora Yandsa I’m guessing SerpaDesign is one of those channels! If not, check him out, his terrarium videos are fantastic! He was a huge inspiration for me

[@nimorayandsa8935]

@@NaturalWorldFacts Thank you! I didn't know that channel. I follow Jartopia and Life in jars, those are really good too.

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

I’ve heard of Jartopia but not life in jars - I’ll check them out for sure!!

[@andreasbei7678]

that bird was taking notes!!

[@drmilimiliy9343]

Young people like you are the hope of the humanity

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thank you 🥺

[@heliotrope6217]

Wow, takes me back a few years, all the rage in my school in 1960, had it for 30years until it was dropped in a move. Might even start a new one.

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

You definitely should! I’d love to hear how it goes :)

[@rossirocks9897]

This is awesome. We are homeschoolers and love to see a young man making videos like this. Thank you!

[@whitbythegoth]

Fleet foxes........ I'm 62, young man and you're teaching me lessons, in a good way. I'm off to build my first terrarium. Great video, great content.

[@NaturallyCuriousUK]

Great to see you getting out into the good old English outdoors again Leo. 👍🙂👍

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

I forgot how much I loved being out there!! And sorry it took so long to make another like this, but I’m so glad you were here to see it 😁 as London’s restrictions keep easing I should be able to head to more places!

[@ericb6784]

I hope you consider writing a book and using photos as illustrations? There is no age limit on teaching and being taught.

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

I love writing, that’s a brilliant idea thank you so much :)

[@pollybirnfeld]

Nature + Ben Howard = 💙

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

My fave artist :)

[@DonnaTaibossigai]

Omg, that bird that flew in to see what you were doing! Too cute!

[@bluefoxbrawler]

You popped onto my KZbin feed out of nowhere; I watched no nature videos or anything else related for the algorithm to bring you to me and yet here you are. Now, I REALLY wanna try this!

[@xXMoonkiXtx]

Not to sound like a broken record but I stumbled upon this video and was like “oh, to be so lucky to have Natural World Facts guy voice”, but as it turns out, it IS Natural World Facts guy. Your work is beautiful as always

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Aw cheers! Definitely very different from my usual deep sea content, but I love all things nature 😉 Really really glad you enjoyed!

[@DidgeridooStudio]

Dang! Boy grew that hair long! But seriously, I love videos like this of folks that love the outdoors in their element, and Ben Howard at the end was a nice touch! How many terrariums do you now have?

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thank you!! Got a haircut the day after, makes me look far less feral 😂😂 I’m so glad you enjoyed this Alex, it was so fun to be out there in front of the camera again, and editing with good old BH music was lovely. I now have 2 terrariums here, but a lot more at my mum’s place

[@DidgeridooStudio]

@@NaturalWorldFacts I knew it. 😁

[@geonhiyu8580]

Simply you built a forest in that small jar. Nice work! i think it'd able to keep dart frog in that jar. if you put more stuff then

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thank you!! That would be awesome, I love dart frogs and some of their enclosure designs are incredible

[@swishask8875]

I feel like that wouldn’t work for many reasons a few being the frog would eat all the food (bugs) and not have any left. Also when the frog dies it will probably cause such a spike in bacteria and mold it will kill everything.

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

It would definitely need to be an open terrarium too - frogs respire at a much faster rate than insects so wouldn’t be sustained by the photosynthesis levels.

[@missdizzy4732]

@@NaturalWorldFacts is there a substitute for wood lice?

[@Amocles]

I just earned 2,000 crafting experience. Thanks for the video man soon I'll be able to upgrade my daedric armor.

[@BoydXplorer]

Great movie.,interesting to watch. Lots to be learned. Thanks for sharing. Watching from Dubai.

[@brooklynyte]

What an informative video! I really really really like this guy's vibe. His camera quality is insane and obviously the animals like him too! This city boy in Brooklyn subscribed!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thanks man!! That’s really sweet 😄

[@pimpozza]

Wow! This took me back to my childhood.. always so fascinating.. I so enjoyed this vid and great presentation too, Leo. When you have your own TV shows, I will feel proud to have been one of your YT subscribers early on in your career 😀🤗👏👍

[@cheif8685]

Thats actually cool as hell im gonna make one

[@HTB567]

I've just found your channel and I have to say I love the way you present yourself and the way you do your videos. Excellent video keep up the good work my dude.

[@nodramagrama2263]

I’m going to do this with grand kids. Great fun project.

[@ferretpolice629]

Beautiful what a lovely video iv been wanting to make a terrarium for years and I have but thay don't last as sad as that may be but now I know what I did wrong and I am confident it will last thank you for the video ^~^👍❤

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Definitely head out and make one :) even if it doesn’t last, it’s such a fun project (and hopefully this time it does survive). Let me know how it goes, I’d love to hear all about it!

[@kittentoys2051]

eagerly waiting for spring to give this a shot! Also that little black bird coming to see what you're doing. absolutely precious moment!

[@notyouraveragegay]

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing

[@chinskii5583]

Cant wait to get my own room and make tons of these

[@MrSaviper]

Excellent! Would love to give a try with my dads collection of Fittonia plants

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Sounds awesome! Let me know if you need help and I’d love to hear how it goes :)

[@bummerflip]

I am for sure going to do this lol. Very feel good video with good info :) thank u

[@coyotesmile8972]

4:57 When you get soil in your sleeve you're doing it right! :)

[@thithanhtrucle5370]

Thank you for the useful tips you share in the video.

[@fatmark4202]

Awesome video ! I’m super excited to make one myself. Thanks 🙏

[@b3rlinki]

i found your channel a while ago when i was fascinated by the deep sea (still am!) and now ive come across this videos and your other terrarium ones, i've always wanted to make a terrarium but had no idea how, so i guess this was a sign! im gonna try to make one soon :)

[@Jolenesmart1980]

10:00 haha that ones trying to escape like “flipping eck henry they put us in one of them terenereneneriam thingys again” 🤣

[@jamesfra1311]

You are the Brian Cox that I miss, subbed to your lovely contents.

[@redfieldevil0chris]

I’d like to create one but without the insects, they all seem creepy to me 😩 Wonderful video, thanks again!!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

You can deffo do one without insects!! Hope it goes okay :)

[@wiledman2430]

We call wood lice rolly poly's in the states.

[@Gasmaskmax]

I was always more of a pillbug guy myself

[@matthewwagner47]

Thought you needed to have a large jar to make a terrarium. Thanks for sharing friend.

[@cascaveldeboina]

My guy, this channel will definetly blow up

[@danny8284]

i really like your videos, i'll totally be trying this!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Awesome, let me know how it goes :)

[@onestophoopshop8978]

Wonderful video.. Thank goodness for young people like you Leo, nice work

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thank you so much, that means a lot :)

[@matthewnewman8621]

Beautiful video mate!!! I watched it as i have a small tank i wanted to make a terrarium with and now i am absolutely going to make a terrarium

[@hugog2849]

I really want to thank you, you made me want to do it and i now have my own homemade terrarium 🤗

[@rosskeegan7700]

Wonderful video, been interested in making a wee terrarium for a while and I think this laid out the perfect plan for me to finally make my own. All goes well I might just run it as an activity for the scouts. P.s great to see your channel thriving!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thank you! That’s a wonderful idea, I hope it goes well. Let me know how it turns out and whether or not the scouts give it a go 😁

[@Lodestar.]

Really incredible, this definitely inspires me to make one of my own

[@VinceLeMusicien]

I’m so trying this with my 4 year old boy! one jar each of course ;) thanks for those videos, soothing AND informative

[@limxavierjohnl.6317]

i really love your video and what you are doing, its so calming, a very healthy feeling!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Aw thank you

[@kRis-rn6so]

You ave ignited my UK roots!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Whereabouts did you grow up? :)

[@martialmouse7582]

Just curious, how sustainable is a closed terrarium in the sense that how long could one last? Wouldn't the nutrients eventually run out if the plants and other organisms are consuming them for growth?

[@ladynoveldragon7505]

I haven’t created my own terrarium yet, but I believe that the nutrients will be replenished by the deaths of the plants and insects, which will fertilise the ground itself, and allow the cycle to continue as new plants grow in their place. I have heard that they can last a very long time if you do it right, as it is an ecosystem contained within itself, and so has all the necessary parts to form an ecosystem. The addition of new nutrients is also why it is so important to have both worms and wood lice in the terrarium. The lice break down detritus (dead and decaying matter) into nutrients, while the worms eat the dirt and recycle the nutrients that way. If you ensure that there is enough of each to be able to breed and repopulate, then you should have an ecosystem that can last a long time. EDIT: I just saw the part that insects aren’t necessarily needed due to microbes. In that case, you don’t actually need these guys, just make sure you have soil from the area and probably water from the area as well.

[@villagersparky]

Old comment I know but I read about a closed system Terrarium that's been going for over 70 years!

[@moniquebayonet3560]

Love the Fleet Foxes piano arrangement at the beginning of the video... and this channel, in general! One of the best on KZbin!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

I’m so glad you recognised it! One of my favourite bands, and thank you for the really lovely comment ☺️

[@codmpink]

I really love your passion for nature brother 1 million plus subs coming your way.

[@user-iz4op3eg4n]

Love love love your channel!!!

[@Djp1989]

great video! very informative!

[@Parken26]

What wonderfull music you have chosen for this video, never heard of Ben Howard before - I am very greatfull for briging him into my music library 🙋🏻‍♂️ and of course thank you very much for the video, as much as I enjoy your other videos with your perfect narration, it is really nice to watch you being yourself. Much obliged for the pleasures your work brings to me.

[@shroomy024]

this is so beautiful and looks really fun imma do this with my lil sister because we love stuff like this

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Best of luck!! Let me know how it goes :)

[@AndreasJepsenMusic]

Just checked your SocialBlade. You are blowing UP my guy. Congrats!!!

[@connormcmanus211]

So cool!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thanks man :)

[@no.7711]

Great channel. Keep it up, nerd.

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

🥰

[@popaandrei4422]

After i watched some of your videos, i wanted so bad to make a jar ecosystem. Today, i started the journey. ✌️

[@bloomins8088]

Your voice is so soothing.

[@redichigo6593]

Really love ur work. Ur voice so calming. Have a good day 😽

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thank you 😊 you too!!

[@akshaypherwani7084]

Loved this video Hope i can create a closed ecosystem just like yours but minus the few worms and bugs that scare the daylights out of me .. a few earthworms would work fine .. Keep up the good work !! Fellow introvert

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Best of luck!! Let me know how it goes :)

[@KaleidoscopicVideos420]

great video

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Cheers :)

[@spammyspammy5958]

Please make some updates!! Loved these vids and would also love to see how they're doing, if they are still active.

[@shadystarfish07]

My next project!!

[@Jolenesmart1980]

I wanna see some bloopers like you say welcome and fall off the tree trunk haha

[@seasmors2177]

Great Vid!

[@dmdmdful]

Ben Howard gives it an extra spark. :)

[@Tuariq1]

I know these Terrariums as "Hermetosheres" I simply love the concept. One day ill create a huge one with glowing lil flies in there

[@SRPZinotia]

Hey, I'm wanting to get into this myself but I was wondering - if we're putting things like worms and woodlice into the terrarium. Do you want to get enough so that they can reproduce to keep the circle going on and on or are they not a huge deal and so when they die they decompose into the soil and that's it?

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

You should add enough to breed so they can recycle detritus even when the first generation dies and decomposes :)

[@Lewis-TheNthLevel]

Your camera skills are improving with each one of these you do! I'm curious about mould growth and how to avoid it - Will charcoal (the type used for bbqs) act as a suitable filter once it's been rinsed?

[@WickedNPC]

Nice video! I made a closed terrarium a few weeks ago. It's doing fairly well but unfortunately all my isopods died. I'm not sure if I should try again with some more. It seems cruel to me, but I would still like some in there.

[@iceisrllynice3152]

i m doing this tomorrow with my family as a bday gift for my sis

[@MarcelaMT]

Hey! This is great! Thank you very much for sharing! You do such a great job! If I do that, can I ever open the jar?

[@eaterofshoes]

nice vid

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thank you :)

[@eaterofshoes]

@@NaturalWorldFacts No problem

[@AlexReevesHere]

This is a really cool video. Love the way you've made it seem so accessible. But isn't there an issue with making native terraria in temperate climates like the UK that by keeping a jar on your windowsill you're forcing plants that need a four seasons to live in a tropical climate? Won't the lack of winter cause the plants stress? I'm genuinely curious because I'd love to make one of these but that aspect just seems a bit too unnatural.

[@emmawoodruff8042]

Think of it as keeping the organisms out of the elements.

[@hollowsoul666]

a Ben Howard song at the end. so appropriate

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

My favourite musician! :) had to include him somewhere

[@kazisharifahsan]

good

[@minutestream316films9]

Hey great video! I was wondering if there is a specific ideal season where you can gather the moss, bugs, etc. Also if the ecosystems can survive through winter with the minimal light. Thank you !

[@kazisharifahsan]

i like it

[@merryweather6501]

I'm here to check this project out. Curious.

[@maiz3558]

you’re so amazing... i’m legit speechless! seems like so much fun, gosh. How old are you? You seem so younggg

[@allone7120]

love your channel, love this vid! Only a tiny critic, woodlice aren't insects, they're crustaceans.

[@Aer_Marique]

For some reason, after watching your other videos, I assumed you were some aging and crusty deep-sea marine biologist. 😂😂😂

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Aging and crusty?? 😂😂

[@christianv-h3278]

Nice explanation on how to build a terrarium, looks like a really fun project to work on! By the way have you tried out making aquatic closed ecosystems? Like an aquarium, or some kind of freshwater mesocosm..

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thanks Christian! I’ve always wanted to make a closed aquatic ecosystem in a jar, I think they’re incredible and I’ll definitely be making a video about them when I get the chance!

[@jasper_saberwolf]

Great description and tutorial! I was considering making a terrarium from a cylinder shaped glass jar from a failed succulent plant kit…has some rocks and soil but the seeds never sprouted after giving them water and sunlight. The jar does not have a lid though, would you have any suggestions for sealing the top for an open jar without risking it coming open?

[@satine4616]

What about cutting your own cork to pop on top?

[@MissElixir]

Thank you youtube algorithm showing me your video about deep sea sharks. Really guy, you have amazing video production quality. Your commentary really drives it home. You definitely have a future in this kind of field if you choose to go for it! I'm going to make one with my mom. Would you know if keeping it in sunlight all the time would be ok? I was thinking of having it as a center piece for our garden table or would that be too much?

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate the support. As for positioning your terrarium, it’s best away from direct sunlight as it can easily overheat and essentially cook the plants and insects. The best placement is a shelf away from direct sun. Best of luck to you and your mom :)

[@SGTLuPolt]

I'll build one tomorrow when im at my grandma's house. they have a compost pit and a lot of plants and even a fish pond

[@stoplisteningtothestatic7078]

This is so cool! One question are the insects happy to live in a jar in a much smaller space? I wonder is it like taking them out of their natural habitat

[@thesundaybus2592]

Great video man, starting mine soon. I'm in the uk too but it's hard to find good nature near me. Where abouts you located? Down south?

[@irfaana.b.6707]

Woah those pill bugs in the UK are giant compared to ones in my garden here in South East Asia. Wish I had bigger ones like that

[@allurexbeats]

It's winter where I am, and the snow isn't too thick today. The snow has melted quite a bit. Do you think the soil is bioactive and if I were to make a native terrarium, would it be a healthy system?

[@Slowne]

I don't know why but.. I fucking love this video (:

[@ririjr864]

I read somewhere that I should bake the soil and add charcoal. Do you know the reason for that and if it is necessary.

[@jiasenium]

May I ask if your closed terrarium will fog up after a while? Is there a way to keep the glass clear all the time for good visibility? 😊

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

If it keeps fogging up it’s often a sign that there is too much water! I recommend opening the lid for a few hours, letting some evaporate, then re-seal it and see if it helps :)

[@jiasenium]

@@NaturalWorldFacts What if the condensation only happens in the soil layer and none on the glass above the soil? Should there be even no condensation near the soil at certain times of the day (i.e. at night)

[@ladynoveldragon7505]

Is it possible to make something like this with aquatic plants and creatures instead of woodland? This is really cool.

[@yeno6492]

I think there is aquatic terrarium just search it on KZbin

[@BenyaminLorit]

Brainiac likes this vid.

[@HollowBonezz]

Hey Leo! I have a question regarding your last terrarium video. I used it as a guide for my first terrarium and unfortunately it seemed like I poured way too much water in there, despite using a similar amount to yours in the video (My jar also is around the same size as the one in the video) So do you still agree with the amount of water shown in the old video? Cheers!

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Heya!! It really depends on the size of the jar and type of plants. I never saw any condensation on mine so it was a good amount for the setup I used, but in yours if it seems like too much then leave the lid off for a few hours to let some evaporate :)

[@HollowBonezz]

@@NaturalWorldFacts Thank you for the quick response! I'll give it a try! Also, you inspired me to make another one with this video :D

[@laurenmary9296]

You've quite the captivating screen presence, chap. 😏

[@NaturalWorldFacts]

Thanks Lauren 😌☺️😇

[@laurenmary9296]

@@NaturalWorldFacts My pleasure, Leo. 🤗

[@plopsa2828]

what is the best size for the jar. is 1L big enough?

[@CrystalHeart15]

My room has no windows, is it possible to use solar uv light for plants, instead of the sun?