How To Make a Terrarium - A SIMPLE Beginner Guide

Terrariums don’t need to be complicated, after watching this video you’ll know exactly how to make your own self sustaining mini ecosystem! Terrariums are a great way to bring a little bit of nature inside, & although they can seem a little daunting at first this tutorial will help get you started!
Check out my Ebook to learn everything you need to know to make and care for a terrarium! terrariumdesig...
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Materials - Amazon Links (affiliate)
Glassware- amzn.to/3W4FSxr
Drainage- amzn.to/3FEQ0Gn
Window screen mesh- amzn.to/3Yv2lp0
Substrate alternative- amzn.to/3WnfSgA
Lava rock- amzn.to/3Wq8Rf3
Moss- Fern moss
Plant- Peperomia caperata
Good LED light- amzn.to/3HKoLNi
Terrarium tools- amzn.to/3HJDBmY
Music- Outlaw's Farewell (part II) - Reed Mathis

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Check out my Ebook for a detailed guide on terrarium making, it’s perfect for beginners! terrariumdesigns.co.uk/products/ebook

[@skullknight2008]

This was exactly what I was looking for! This will be a great and educational project to do with my 4 and 9 year olds.

[@mellewedin8221]

Thank you for this diy tool you made. I happened to of had w cork tops kicking around and both being different sizes. This makes life so much easier. So thank you.

[@sutekaa]

btw guys, you dont actually need all this fancy stuff if u dont have the money. u can use soil from ur backyard (make sure theres no chemicals or anti weed stuff) or from a nearby forest, you can also just find some random spot with moss and some random plants. u can also put it in direct sunlight just make sure to rotate the terrarium so the plants dont grow weirdly

[@Liu-Kang-Xi]

It's better to get the soil from the front yard.

[@sutekaa]

@@Liu-Kang-Xi the sun shines more on my back yard and all the birds go there to eat not the front yard, so i assume the soil there has more nutrients

[@Liu-Kang-Xi]

@@sutekaa Well, somebody done built your house facing the wrong way, buddy ..

[@sutekaa]

@@Liu-Kang-Xi its the way the streets are laid out and the back garden looks prettier anyways

[@G-67r]

The soll from the side Yard is good as well

[@monochromatic9601]

I just made my first terrarium today, and literally everything was sourced from my back yard. I think the more time you take with it the better the result you'll have. For example, for the false bottom I've done my absolute best to pick out as many rocks I could that resembled leca in texture and feel. And I couldn't really get any good substrate being out in the desert but I think I did pretty well with what I had, I mixed as fin as soil as I could get, got some really small rocks, ripped up some tree bark, crushed up some leaves, and just threw it all together to get the texture I think I needed. Then I just snatched up some plants that were growing in my backyard and put them into the terrarium in a way I liked and it turned out pretty well appearance wise. Hopefully it doesn't die within like a week 😅

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Love to hear this!

[@sayanmullick7559]

Just wanna know Is your ecosystem still working?

[@monochromatic9601]

@@sayanmullick7559 It's still alive if that's what you mean. Sadly it seems like all the plants are starting to wither and yellow. Though, I did make a second much larger terrarium out of an old fishtank and that one seems to be doing better.

[@sayanmullick7559]

@@monochromatic9601 that's great 😃

[@Eternalbozo]

@@monochromatic9601I just made a big terrarium in my old fish tank too!

[@rodneywalat8956]

Great video. Yes, I would like to see a video on propagating different kinds of terrarium plants.

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Thanks! I’ll work on making that video:)

[@sopimao]

Yes! Please make that video!

[@mistyk.8084]

Me as well please and thank you 😊

[@TerrariumDesigns]

I made it😃 here’s the link:) kzbin.info/www/bejne/baixdmyViKeYipY

[@wikandakaenu]

I made one that is only moss and dirt and a singular stick

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Nice little build! Your soil tool is perfect! I have a similar one. Nothing beats the simplicity of it.

[@TerrariumDesigns]

thanks! sometimes the simplest ones are the best haha

[@leesapollo]

Came across your channel now I’m working my way through every video. Bought a glass jar with a lid from IKEA this evening so determined to make my first terrarium.

[@TerrariumDesigns]

I love to hear that! hope you enjoy making it:)

[@sutekaa]

nice! u can also use the jars from pasta sauce, i use those

[@sandy_sd10]

How is it going?

[@alyssaleatham8544]

Im new to plants and terrariums and am very excited to see that someday I will be doing this. Great video.

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Thanks you! Welcome to the hobby:)

[@BocTach]

very easy to understand for beginner, thank you so much !!

[@lindsey4178]

This video was very helpful. My oldest daughter is expecting her first baby soon and she is considering a woodsy, earth tone sort of theme. I was thinking about making a small terrarium for him (it's a boy!) that I will seal up on the day he is born. Thank you for the detailed instructions and especially for the "why" of each step. I think that will help me a lot to get creative and still maintain a workable terrarium.

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Such a beautiful idea! Good luck & congratulations😃 glad you find the videos useful:)

[@MyLifeIsAFrickingMess_MRPOLSKA]

Watch the plants outgrow the child. Just make sure he dont break it, or youll have to break him to keep the balance

[@rouzaodri]

It was really very helpful.I had to make a terrarium for my school project.I have followed your method. Thanks a lot ❤

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Glad you found it helpful😃

[@drroblox61]

Thanks to this video, I now run a terrarium business (at school) and I make 25 dollars in profit per week. Thank you so much.

[@davewilson9738]

Awesome video I shared with my grandchildren!

[@user-N.A.]

This very will help out in making my school project.

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Hope you found this video useful!:)

[@toxiclegend7079]

Can we use plastic jar?

[@Talariabryce]

Can you put isopods and or spring tail in it

[@Someturkishguy442]

Hey can I use a terrarium in turkey? Because I live there but the place I live don’t have a lot of animals

[@TerrariumDesigns]

@@toxiclegend7079 sure can:)

[@Sandy-vp3mn]

I love how simple this is. Can someone answer a question for me. Do the plants not outgrow the space quickly? I am wanting to make one but it just seems like it is a good way to get starters growing not really something a plant could grow in very long.

[@Baydenwood]

Hi, great video. Just watching these videos is so relaxing. Thanks. :)

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Glad you enjoy them, thanks for watching:)

[@dawnramejkis609]

Can you also add small garden worm won’t that keep the soil healthy take care love your experience in terrariums

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Yes worms are amazing! Just keep in mind that they can grow quite big so an appropriate size terrarium should be used:)

[@skullrose8985]

I really enjoyed this video. I have just left a message on one of your short video's. Yes it would be great to see a video on propagating. I started growing veg last year(on the cheap lol).So it would be really intresting to learn new techniques & ways of doing things. I might take this hobby up over the winter months. Thanks for sharing such great information & helping others. Have a blessed day & Take care..

[@WanderNars]

My son gifted me a terrarium now I made 3 in one day so relaxing

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Great! Yes they are very therapeutic to make:)

[@weepingcamel1]

couple questions: 1. where can I get the little bugs? 2. it's an airtight jar? how do u know there is enough CO2 and oxygen for the plants and bugs? 3. here's the kicker, i live in a desert country, what can i use to replace moss?

[@Ministry_of_defense736]

Will a Prego sauce jar work

[@akerudawn]

Brilliant, thank you!!

[@TerrariumDesigns]

You're very welcome!:)

[@animulovers3881]

Thanks for this video man veryy useful to me for me to try my firts terarrium

[@moominbil613]

Wanting to get into making terrariums. Wondering if the fern moss is common outside and where to find it.

[@vanshpratapsingh6659]

Did you find anything on it yet ?

[@moominbil613]

@@vanshpratapsingh6659 found it grows on rocks in quite moist areas

[@Dernasaur]

Tommorow I want to make a terairium like this one

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Do it!😃

[@ds755]

Would you do a video on how you grow and keep the springtails?

[@GTPSORI133]

sir Can the terrarium still live without charcoal and is there a substitute for Charcoal that is easy to find

[@leewood729]

I don't actually like the plastic sealer around the lid, and tend to cut them off. Does it need to be tightly sealed?

[@thepeopleplaceandnaturepod8344]

Oh, I thought the gravel at the bottom is for the aesthetic only, but it's the drainage :O

[@LyceenJPS]

My class really wanted a pineapple plant we saw in a store for our classroom, but our teacher was worried about who wouild take care of it. So I thought why not make a terrarium with everyone instead? We can just put it in the room and it'll handle itself from there :)

[@ZachDames]

Is there a general rule of thumb on how many spring tails to add to a living space based on size or amount of flora?

[@catsNplanets]

Can I use tumbled stones instead of gravel for the bottom layer of the terrarium? Like tumbled amethysts or quartz or something similar?

[@TerrariumDesigns]

You sure can:)

[@tawsifking9336]

Also some extra things you can use plastic bottle as container Then you can make use plastic from plastic bags as mesh with lots of poked holes Then with soil/substrate you can use normal potting soil or dirt from outside not recommended for long term Then with plants always try to have moss, most moss will work fine Also You don't need springtails for terrariums but there helpful to have

[@keith2073]

Good video thanks, just wanted to know by anyone if the container used has to be airtight.?

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Thanks! No it doesn’t have to be airtight but a lid is recommended😃

[@Doreste]

Thxs!

[@Talariabryce]

I have a question can you add spring tails and or isopods to this terrarium

[@TerrariumDesigns]

this one is a little small for isopods but it definitely suitable for springtails:)

[@ilibili3502]

Thanks for the video! Its really good, but where do i get the spring tails from? I don't think you linked something with regards to that and i myself don't really know where to find them

[@TerrariumDesigns]

glad you enjoyed the video! they are usually available from reptile/amphibian shops and online, but if you use moss from outside, there is a high chance of springtails already being present:)

[@ilibili3502]

@@TerrariumDesigns ah okay thank you and keep up the great work, I really enjoy it!!

[@ramirohuerta7589]

Btw looks great !❤

[@flightofapaullo72]

Where can I get the springtails?

[@aaronlynch2148]

Are the springtails a must or would it still work without them?

[@TerrariumDesigns]

they do certainly help but you can make a successful terrarium without them. just be sure to manually remove any dead leave or mould:)

[@little_engine_goes_to_Thailand]

do you need to use the springtails ? I am in koh samui and have no idea where to get them .. Thanks

[@ItzSayem-tf7vn]

Thanks bro❤️ The video was very helpful for my Science Project,, By the way I have used normal coal, Will it work?

[@fazmouchiha9772]

nice video

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Thanks!:)

[@okla1954]

im new to this but can you make one out of a plastic box type thing

[@kennyfarmi9878]

PLEASE CAN U MADE A VIDEO HOW TO STORE AN PROPAGATE SPRINGTAILS?

[@buffalo369]

Thanks Bro. One question pls....if I don't have springtails in my country, what can I use ??? Earthworms????😊

[@ostrogodo]

how do i know the ammount of water I should spray? or if I sprayed too much?

[@jaydenpersaud7680]

Hey, I’ve just found a terrarium jar from a couple years back and the ringer is wrecked any ideas on replacing or fixing the seal?

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Hey! I’ve had this problem a few times & often manage to find a replacement on Amazon. But if you want to go the DIY route you can always place a layer of saran wrap over the opening to creat a seal. Hope this helped!😃

[@efeaksahin2429]

Thanks for the video! Do you think springtails are a for sure neccesity?

[@arcanum_cynical]

Is it better to keep a glass lid on top of the tank or off? Not sure if the uv light would be affected by the glass on top.

[@crooster1]

Basically nothing of the substrate things can be easily found here in Sweden. Are all of those necessary? Or is there optional things you could try, even though not optional?

[@orangutan1059]

No need to pay for anything. You can basicly try anything as long as it doesn't contain pesticides and stuff like that. You can dig up some dirt in your garden, in the wild or whatever, use random plants etc. I once dug up some dirt in a random place, put it in a plastic bottle, added some tap water and it thrived on it's own, never opened it, never did anything, just left it in one spot without sunlight and observed for 2 years So if you want something simple, basically anything could do, and even if you want something, let's call it richer, dirt, stones and plants found anywhere will be enough, but keep in mind that you may need to care for your little ecosystem. Good luck!

[@crooster1]

@@orangutan1059 Cool, thanks alot. I live in the southern part of Sweden known as the Sweden´s granary, we got this black mulchy soil which grows everything you put in it. Will try that, maybe with some bark and sand, leca in the bottom and that wire thing for drainage. I live by the ocean got a lot of cool flint stones, mosses and drift wood. Last question, if i put soil straight from a field, will dormant seeds, insects etc start to grow after a while, if yes is this desirable in your oppionion?

[@orangutan1059]

@@crooster1 They should grow unless something goes wrong. If you just take some dirt, it won't be much, probably only microorganisms that will later evolve, so it's common to put in some desired plants etc. It would be a good idea to add some moss, it deals with water nicely. If you live close to the sea, maybe you'll want to create a micro sea environment - just put some sea bottom (from under the water, not too much), fill the jar with sea water and put in some seaweed if you find any to clean the water. A lot of tiny things like eggs, microorganisms and plant seeds are in the sea bottom, so after some time you'll see it all appear and this ecosystem is easy to upkeep - you don't need to water it or clean it. I myself would like to do it, but unfortunately I live too far away from the sea (by the way, that's also the Baltic Sea, hello, neighbour). If you want to try doing these jar ecosystems, I wish you good luck, don't be afraid of experimenting and don't worry if it goes bad at the begining. Even if a few first times it doesn't work, you'll gain more knowledge, experience, insight and you'll learn on mistakes. I'm sure it'll be fine with what you have avaible About wheter or not dormant seeds and insects are desirable, it's up to you. It would be hard to get rid of them anyway, but you can put some other plants or insects there if you want

[@rashmiacharya6709]

0:34 I made a terrarium 1 month ago and it is thriving

[@cheese390]

Can you use a plastic distilled water containers gallon sized and once was used for a sleep mask

[@shvetatalwar5320]

Sir.. Will plant stay alive after covering with lid?

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Yes they will😃

[@shvetatalwar5320]

Thanku sir

[@faizaltirur9154]

Super❤

[@NY-152]

Are the springtails an absolute necessity?

[@TerrariumDesigns]

No they are not, you can manually remove mold etc, but they are super useful!

[@pabrici7236]

Hello. Can I make terrarium in the Philippines (tropical)? Thanks

[@Erx_3]

1:35 is this ash from wood?

[@Hentzatentz_13]

Is it possible to make a terrarium with just normal soil?

[@TerrariumDesigns]

You can, but it compacts easily which isn’t ideal.

[@LoulousCorner]

Could a peperomia obtusifolia be used in a closed terrarium?

[@pebbles8964]

Would a package plant be any good in a terrarium because I have loads of them

[@pseitrends1435]

Do moss grow big insidw a terrarium?

[@CaptainAugust]

What exact jar is that

[@observandomundo]

Does it work without the springtails?

[@SooNiieGB]

Is there a substrate mix thats already premade? I dont want to spend a lot just for 1 terrarium. Thanks!

[@michigal502]

Where do you get the springtail bugs?

[@TerrariumDesigns]

They are often available in reptile/ amphibian shops & online. But You can also find them under damp leaf litter😃

[@kennyfarmi9878]

could i ask this can i use smaller cup to make terrarium soil? i dont use that much

[@dadforhire1277]

I'm thinking of making a terrarium for my Drosera capensis, would this method be good for him?

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Yes they are often recommended as the perfect beginner carnivorous plant for terrariums:)

[@NazifaNCR]

Without moss can I make closed terrarium ?

[@elarabronson5508]

Can you use sand instead of rocks on the bottom?

[@TerrariumDesigns]

you can but it can sometimes compress and make it hard for the water to enter

[@md.hassanabdullahkhanshafi3866]

How many times should we water it every day? (I am sorry if this sounds dumb, I am planning to make my first terrarium)

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Closed terrariums don’t need to be watered very frequently at all, I’ve only watered this one once in the 7 months it been set up

[@md.hassanabdullahkhanshafi3866]

@@TerrariumDesigns thanks

[@jaxatron47]

Is it okay if I don't use worm castings?

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Yes you can get away without them, but they do help will long term success

[@JwaEditz]

Can you make a terrarium out of a plastic food container? Because thats what i am doing and i have no idea if it will even work like of others do.

[@TerrariumDesigns]

That will work just fine & I like the idea:)

[@JwaEditz]

@@TerrariumDesigns so far the organisms were, moss, grass, lilac tasselflower. Those are the plants and redlead roundhead a type of mushroom i found while collecting the resources for my terrarium. For the animals, probably an ant but i think its dead because the soil is too wet and i changed it to a more dry soil. Theres also an earth worm inside my terrarium.

[@JwaEditz]

Its more about the plants

[@shadaabubaker]

do you have to use substrate because i dont know what that is can i just use soil from outside

[@TerrariumDesigns]

you can certainly try using soil from outside :) that’s exactly what i did in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZy7p2akprFoodE

[@traunak2703]

where to get springtails?

[@mandarinesoranges9439]

Can you use dried Hypno moss or fern moss instead of sphagnum moss for the soil mix? I don't have sphagnum.

[@BellaNya73]

any moss will do, even from your own backyard!

[@donnavaughn9409]

Where would I get those little bugs? I'm here in the US

[@NamelessArtists]

Can we get an AQUArium version of this? (Also I have the same jar as you)

[@mr.nobody9646]

How big does that plant grow?

[@sopojarwo3483]

what height of that jar?

[@LucartGlades]

What to use if it i don't have a window mesh

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Weed blocker fabric is a cheaper alternative :)

[@senoaji2995]

is it fine to use plastic bottle ?

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Yeah that would work:)

[@andreiirimia574]

I have a plastic jar bottle . Is it good?

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Yep that will work!:)

[@andreiirimia574]

that kinda doesnt look good

[@elizalames7395]

where can i find the plants??

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Tropical plants work best in terrariums as they thrive in high humidity. Some garden centres have tropical plants but you can also get them online

[@Neverhim]

does it have to be glass?

[@TerrariumDesigns]

Nope, it’ll still work in a plastic container, just make sure it’s clean before you start:)

[@Neverhim]

@@TerrariumDesigns thank you

[@BLANKU2]

Can I do without the bugs?

[@saviparikh4570]

Wow

[@normanrose2711]

how can we find those bugs that keep it healthy ?

[@TerrariumDesigns]

They are often sold in reptile & amphibian shops. But you can also find them under damp leaves outside:)

[@Blatant-pidgeon2]

Can I use just compost in it instead??

[@alexgoia9530]

It will work, don know about long term(years and years), but it should do the job!

[@ds755]

Propagation, yes please

[@dudecommander7774]

This might be dumb but I don’t get the parts in 2:10 like what are the measurements

[@christophgunther8422]

It means, that you, for example use 1 cup of coco fibre, 2 cups moss, 1/4 cup of the other Things.

[@c.t6149]

The best method in creating a terrarium is by using any waste material or any plant from your backyard, with 0 cost at all

[@Leonsanimationsflipacilp]

yes put that rock stone

[@bonitalyon6374]

Are those bugs absolutely necessary???? :)

[@alpoter]

My experience shows that peperomias aren’t very good with wet soil. Just fyi.

[@ommyshoaib]

How many times did the narrator said the word " Terrarium" ?

[@FilomenaDapaz]

what u do when plants are too big??

[@ashsa07]

I don't have the screen mesh and it's due later 💀

[@tamaramorton8812]

Do I really have to use those little bugs? They show up because they’re white.

[@Jaybro8]

I want to get into this but I can’t afford to get all of these different components and it’s just overwhelming for me, I’m just looking for a fun new hobby 😢

[@walmartiancheese4922]

you can just get shit from your backyard (dirt, rocks, moss) i dont know if you can get the bugs though