Easy IKEA Jungle Box (DIY Greenhouse)

I've made plenty of IKEA projects before, and we thought it was time for another. Well, actually, it was my wife's idea. A few months back, I had to get glass for an aquarium when she said, "Can you make a display case vivarium like the one from before? I want something cool for the living room."
I’ve been sitting on this Milsbo Case ever since and haven’t had the time to make it until now. It turned out really well and is probably one of my favorites yet because of how simple it was to produce. I can’t wait to see how this jungle establishes and takes on a life of its own.
Can’t get enough? Here are some more IKEA projects:
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[@SerpaDesign]

Another IKEA project in the books! I’m really pleased with how this one turned out and can’t wait to see how this jungle establishes and takes on a life of its own. I probably like the Cebu Blue Pothos the most. What’s your favorite plant from this build? Let me know, and have a great weekend SerpaSquad!

[@shontellepetersen4445]

I miss read that first sentence and thought you were releasing your own book. Maybe one day you will do one :)

[@marikah6198]

Cool project as always. Not glueing the PVC pipe is an eye opening idea! Not using foam is great, too! I like the simplicity. Your wife is lucky to have you. 😊

[@sghettinona]

Bravo!!

[@thefullstop23]

Whats the name of the plant at 07:33, Mr Tanner? Great build! edit : Fittonia “Red Anne”. I got it. 😊

[@ialrakis5173]

Great build but now I'm surprised and confused. That Fittonia looks exactly like plants I have in my aquarium. Found some posts saying it's possible. Do you have any experience with that?

[@wxlurker]

The cutting off the ikea allen key to become a drill bit was genius

[@antonfeirer3408]

I was like "omg I never thought of this" :o

[@juliejames6322]

His is the first gift of this I video. I love this tip SO much, because I hate the way those tiny weak tools rip up my tender hands.

[@allusernamestakenlol]

Tanner is a legitimate genius

[@socalstr]

It’s clever! However, this soft allen key will fail rather quickly as a drill bit. You’re gonna want to get a legit $2 drill bit at Home Depot to resolve this requirement longer term.

[@thomashaapalainen4108]

I do this for my job .

[@sparrowsfish]

Love that this was for your wife. Also, we got a sneak at her plant room. Would love a tour if she wouldn't mind.

[@curvingfyre6810]

Your wife asked for MORE plants, in MORE naturalistic enclosures, in YOUR house? She's a keeper. A plant keeper that is. She also sounds awesome.

[@Misskittyclimber]

THEIR house. 🫠

[@curvingfyre6810]

​@@Misskittyclimber If I am referring to something owned by multiple people who I am directly addressing, how exactly would I say that? :/

[@hanae7385]

@@Misskittyclimber "Your" is a plural posessive referring to several people as well!

[@evrythingis1]

He's just being nice and including her....

[@Catfimsh]

I'm in love with the cork background, the texture is so appealing but it doesn't subtract or distract from the plants, so pretty!!

[@itsmeurboi]

As someone with absolutely no creativity, it's simply amazing to watch you create these scapes. Every decision you make just blows me away at how damn good it looks!

[@Napalm_Candy]

I promise you that you have creativity. It's just hiding due to life stresses/worries that you likely feel you don't, or that you've "lost" it. It may also be something less than conventional. Try and find your inner voice and creatively express yourself in a way that comes natural to you. I have a friend who used to feel just like you, then he realized he loves writing poetry, and he's so good at it!

[@x0q4]

@@Napalm_Candy thank you for this

[@emilyb4702]

Good hubby! 😊 It's reminiscent of Nebuchadnezzar making the hanging gardens for his bride who was quite literally pining for green things. But on a scale that fits in a house. Beautiful.

[@braria9855]

Unromantic fun fact, it may not have been Nebuchadnezzar but Sennacherib who made the hanging gardens of Babylon since some people (without maps, based on rivers) also called Ninive "Babylon". There's lots of compelling evidence for this to be true (such as Sennacherib claiming to have created something similar and simultaneously there being no records for Nebuchadnezzar for these gardens despite there being good records for most of his other achievements) , but due to conflicts we can't actually get archeologists to try digging around to find out. Do check out Stephanie Dalley and others if you're curious. I just wrote a thesis about green roofs and found some of this info during a side quest so I'm no expert. Another random fun fact, apparently the Archimedes' screw was already used there - so before he "invented" it. :D

[@emilyb4702]

@@braria9855 I would love to time travel and see how history actually happened and what it looked like! And magically understand the language and blend in with the locals while we're at it. It's good to have a passion for history.

[@StreetLifeFoundation]

Bible study and plants! Perfect!❤

[@michaelboulos3272]

Happy wife, happy life

[@cooliipie]

Never settle, never simp. There needs to be a healthy dynamic

[@christopherbedford4764]

Happy Spouse, Happy House

[@goosenotmaverick1156]

Dang right. A good dynamic goes a long way

[@Rob-ze1wi]

Hate this saying. Female manipulation. My way or miserable life.

[@analloshappyness]

Omg rio reference 😂

[@happylittleacident]

your wife mentioned it gave her ideas for her own projects, would you guys be willing to make something together one day for a video or a video of your wife making something. i understand if she doesnt want to be on camera more so just seein one of her creations. its lovely that she likes plants as much as you do, i loved this video :)

[@zombei_kid]

In their wedding video, they made a terrarium together. It was quite sweet lol But yes, I'd love to see more of her if she feels comfortable with it.

[@susanmyer1]

Absolutely wonderful idea. It’s beautiful. Your wife is truly lucky to be able to say “hey I want” and it be delivered in such a glorious fashion.

[@yourfriendbeetle]

great now i have to go ask my husband how much he loves me

[@judybonner8682]

Your wife is a very lucky lady! It is beautiful and I love the pops of red and other shades. 💕💕💕💕

[@yairakatz8688]

My favorite thing about this build is that you built it for your wife. 💚

[@IndoorEcosystem]

Wow! That's going to be even more incredible the next time we see it!

[@pkmetzger]

All your videos are inspiring, but my faves are the plant videos. I actually have learned a lot from your videos about plants and how to create an environment for them. Good video!!

[@sandyloyst1811]

Exceptional, I want to see this in one year please. Peace.

[@IlseMulAuthor]

What a wonderful project! I love it that your wife got inspired for her own projects by something you made for her! Awesome ❤

[@itzmooxd7859]

Finally the giant tank again, Love it! ❤

[@kmr666]

Clearly a labor of love! But simple enough for us all to do it! Incredible.

[@ESF19791111]

THE CORK LAYERS IDEA AND THE WAY IT LOOKS IN THE VIDEO IS MAKING ME :) GOOD TO HEAR YOUR WIFE EXPLAINING AND ENJOYING YOUR WORK :) THANK YOU FOR SHARING :) THANK YOU FROM ISRAEL :)

[@Becausing]

Your eye for composition is incredible

[@mkuhnactual]

I really appreciate these projects that use easily modifiable containers and such as they are a bit more accessible than the full custom builds.

[@Pollenoverponds]

One thing I’m slowly learning about your wife is that she’s always right. Pea puffer fish? Cookie? This terrarium? All 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@torquess454]

My fav plant in it is the Frydek and the prince of orange, love this idea!!

[@amiremadian6716]

Congratulations to your wife for the good choice she made in plants and also for choosing such a tasteful and artistic wife like you. May God bless your life.🌹🌹

[@Bei7]

Would love to see a video about how to take care of these plants and how to maintain the greenhouse!

[@andrepetrini8837]

Who still think it’s an easy project when read the title? Amazing by the way

[@slamrock17]

This is amazing! I can't wait to see the walk in version. (Greenhouse) ❤❤❤❤❤❤ Much love❤❤❤❤

[@morganw.4711]

Such a classic Serpa build- accessible, relatively affordable, and a stunning final result!

[@paeve362]

I just made one of these for all my rare syngonium species. Instead of cork bark I covered the back wall with sphagnum moss and mounted live moss against it. Basically a sphagnum moss pole built into the back of the cabinet. I didn't include a substrate layer and opted to keep the plants in pots instead. I plumbed in a humidifier so it stays at 90% rh all day long, as I didn't seal it at all. This allows for more air cycling which is (subjectively) better for hard to grow plants. I take so much inspiration from your projects and this one is no different. Great work, I may do one of these soon for some exotic isopods in the future. (quick note, the pothos is not a cebu blue, but an epipremnum pinnatum albo. Same family as the cebu blue, but the green is darker and they take longer to fenestrate) regardless, love this one! the leaves get BIG FAST, mine are already a foot in length.

[@JaSon-wc4pn]

Moss background sounds epic, Ive been harvesting moss from my neighbours walls For a small terrarium

[@thomasgeorge1836]

Well done sir. Looks great AND she's happy! Win win. Keep up the inspiring work.

[@schyedesign]

Reminds me of a video I made turning an ikea rudsta cabinet into a small jungle :) I love seeing different takes on this idea

[@WippinNaynay]

I Hope you know that out of all of all your videos the ones where you make greatness out of random items are my favorite! I especially love these!

[@duartegcabral]

Who are you and what did you do with Serpa? WHERE IS THE MOSS?

[@blu_cap]

I love it ❤ I am trying something similar on a smaller scale using the Ackarbar mini greenhouse from IKEA. But this has mich more vertical space for the plants to grow 🪴

[@cathyfrankland9158]

Wow, absolutely STUNNING!! I would love to have room for something like that, but until I do, I am living vicariously through you!!! It's great to hear your wife & I love that this has given her (/you!!) more project ideas!!!

[@nicksdroid63]

Your wife is awesome!!! She speaks my language. I love the red plants and the fluffy green plants and the ones that are glued to the branch. Finally!!!! I understand!!!

[@dirtywhitellama]

Great idea. Can't help but imagine all that cork and all those branches covered in orchids...maybe need some more light for that though.

[@L3adb3lly]

This is like 3 steps away from being an optimal enclosure for a chameleon.

[@ListenAndWhisper]

That’s what I was thinking

[@jauniiwolf]

Please give me the next 3 steps😅(more for a ball python, bigger cabinet and snake-friendly don’t worry🙈)

[@nicoleshantih5873]

It was so cute hearing your wife's voice off camera at the end! :p Love this project, and loved the sneak peak at your beautiful sunroom area. It seems like you have a very cool/unique property!

[@wendyanndarling]

This is my sign to finally setup my IKEA cabinet like this. I been wanting to do this for a while now. Thanks for the instructions!

[@Hunny.B.e.e]

Aww what a sweet hubby!❤️ it’s absolutely beautiful and anyone would be lucky to have that in their home! Love the build as always can’t wait to see the next one❤️

[@Fuzzey-Gaming]

Having a wife/ partner who is well spoken and able to communicate his/her wishes and needs is so healing. Im a handyman and i love building stuff. Sometimes i feel a lack of creativity. Having a pertner or a friend who can deliver wishes and thoughts can be a real good spark for action. I built my ex girlfriend a chandelier out of all our favourite winebottles we used to drink. The light looks absolutely beautiful. She is not with me anymore sadly but im still so happy by the fact that she is still loving my earrings and other little loveprojects i gave to her. Imo creating stuff and learning about the things that inspire you is the key aspect of my life. Im a big adhd brain with depressive tendencies. But giving pur senseless e istence a little bit substance with the crafting :D hope one day i find a wife willing to have a garden in the ofrrest with me and built a shipping contaienr tiny house to live off grid. Hope we all succeed in life❤

[@donaldwarriner1640]

Wonderful addition to a home. Ikea cabinet is just another excellent idea.

[@farnkums]

Your videos play in the background as I do homework for visual as i listen to music. You have also given inspiration to expand my aquarium ideas substantially, keep up the amazing work, always excited for the next project your show everyone!

[@farnkums]

I should add I do this after i watched them entirely with the audio.

[@SmallScaleTales-n1ce]

You have been a huge inspiration for years and one of the reasons i started to make my own terrarium related content. 🌱🌱🌱

[@1bwash]

This is so much nicer than having a million potted plans hanging out everywhere. It looks more natural.

[@corylcreates]

So elegant and simple! I would've liked to see a red plant or two higher up to balance it out, and I'm excited to see how it grows. Hoping you'll do an update on it in a few months!

[@TheSeptemberRose]

You live in my DREAM HOUSE! I have always wished to have a sunroom like you do! I agree with your wife that you can never have enough plants! 💚

[@stampinturtles]

Wife: I love it ❤ Code for: Tanner, make me more of these. 😂 I love the cork background. I need more plants in my life and since I have cats and dogs I think this could work to keep them out of the soil. (And from eating the plants) Thank you for sharing your creativity with us! ❤🙏🏻😊

[@2memetoo]

I am a jungle woman and always have been and I love what you did. It blows my mind. I’m already thinking about what I’m gonna do and how I’m gonna do it thanks bro. I’m sure your wife is transported and just is crazy about you. I’d like to see an update on thisin about six months

[@SKALS-ICY-TOM]

Very nice and simple project... I was just looking at a Ikea cabinet like this the other day thinking it would make for a nice project in my new apartment.... I will definitely copy the setup of using the shelves like this to get multiple heights, maybe combined with a mosspole in the middle for rooting some plants even higher

[@BusterNoggins]

I can't wait to see the backyard waterfall some more. Hoping for some updates at least.

[@jackhigham1918]

Perfect timing - I was thinking of doing this same DIY soon!

[@KingRex1993]

Hey serpa can you try to make a prehistoric palidarium or something like and amphibians reptile in a jungle or a triops river bioms please 😊

[@aureasmortem]

So jealous of that sunroom area where all her plants are! My house is at an angle where there are only a few windows that get enough light for plants, so I would go absolutely hogwild if I had a sunroom like that. If I had more know-how for tools I would love to make a jungle cabinet one day

[@TheSeptemberRose]

Yeah! I felt a pang of envy at that sunroom too!!!!!

[@doejersey]

This is the cabinet I had hoped you’d build something in. I have one that I think will become an enclosure once I figure out how to liberate the contents onto a bookshelf

[@rhoseiravenclaw5394]

Love this video, thank you both for sharing this build! Wonderful work on that background, so useful to see a more simple style as a background (especially as it will probably be covered up with plants in no time, much more cut and paste for beginners than foam etc which for newbies really seems to be more daunting.

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

All you do is for you, not you personally, but for otherself you. (The definition of Oneness) Another great build.

[@cherylmartin9994]

Wow!! It's perfect. Can't wait to see it grow in. Gorgeous plant filled cabinet for a very lucky wife!

[@mossbased]

What a gorgeous room for houseplants!!!! Wow those windows ❤️❤️❤️

[@BTQ410]

Love this, but I would love to see it with orchids in it. Orchids that bloom at different times would be stunning, or just add some orchids to what you have. There are all sizes of orchids from big all the way to the minis.

[@julierobertson148]

Great idea, especially since its so tropical plant friendly and upkeep reducing.

[@RobinBerri]

I enjoy watching your projects and builds. The cork background turned out very nice in this build. I always learn something when watching your videos.

[@NamelessNancy1312]

im glad wifey wa shappy with results, im glad you did this for her and us

[@rossariotrimboli]

It's beautiful.

[@Lefty90]

I have to say that you have inspired me to keep by own isopods (dairy cow) and they love the new things I slowly add to their home

[@trialbyfirepyrography321]

We definitely need to have an update on it, in a couple of months. Great build.

[@lynnh3710]

This display would be beautiful in any setting. 😍

[@georgeattig8088]

You have a GORGEOUS home (from the glimpses we could get) ❤

[@hannakierstead289]

FINALLY A SERPA MILSBO BUILD!!!! ive been waiting for one of these since i got my milsbo wide two years ago!

[@keesoskam1255]

looks awesome Serpa! Really love your videos! Maybe one thing i would change is a bit of black tape across the top so you don't look directly into the light.

[@kay_glo]

Wow, you actually made an ikea product useful... I love it!

[@allanlawrence3456]

I absolutely love it. I will endeavour to build one myself, I hope I can make it look good.

[@albertamarie3051]

That is just beautiful I love the jungle look all over my home .

[@rupusen7759]

i think orchid will love this spot

[@bludeetu321]

Maybe sneak in an orchid or two as a secret surprise!

[@ParthVatsal]

LOVED THIS... Thanks for the inspiration.

[@RadioactuveToy]

After doing bioactive tanks for my gargs, I actually love mini enclosed biomes for houseplants over individual potted plants. Hope to eventually do builds like this for different ecosystems. Serpa, if you read this, can you consider doing a beachfront/tide pool/ island themed build? I have been trying to find ideas for a good hermit crab enclosure that encapsulates their natural habitat, but cannot find any that do so in such a seemless way you do with your builds. A tank with a beach, small forest/leaf litter area, and a mini salt water aquarium would be awesome to see with your take on it.

[@ReptiHero]

Good job my friend 👏

[@shortking-vp9vv]

Sure, Terrarium Man, your WIFE is the one who wants more terrariums 😂 but really, it’s great you married someone who aligns with your passions.

[@SJLamb-te3dt]

This would be right up my alley had your wife requested orchids, orchids, and more orchids.

[@FinxOmally]

If we can get a return to this just to see how it’s grown in about 6 months from now will be awesome. And anything that needed to be changed or challenges, etc. would be cool to know. 👍

[@MercurialMilk]

love it!! I did something similar with a different ikea cabinet based on what I learned from you! It's been about 6 months and its doing amazing! my pothos leaves grew to about double the size lol

[@ssubramanian605]

How someone can be this creative ⁉️⁉️👍👍👍. Amazing!!!

[@DaWhale30]

I had to pause the video and contemplate life after you cut off the bent part of the allen wrench to use as a drill bit lol. I never would've thought of that. That's genius.

[@christophermcdonough3466]

From one bro to another. Mad love the Allen hack... 🤯

[@strayargus9382]

Your wife is good lol she knew what’s good

[@LucianoOliveira-fr6qv]

Beautiful project . 👏

[@tmcl6522]

FREAKIN BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!

[@cerisekappes580]

Love the cork background!! With the plants, looks gorgeous 😊

[@julietfernandez6260]

Very beautiful idea

[@T0beyeus]

I just built two of those IKEA cabinets for my D&D minis but this is a great idea and I ever decide to stop playing TTRPGs!

[@AtariTheAquarist]

Mrs. Serpa getting in on the action love to see it!!

[@chadbassig9801]

When wife tells you don't have enough plants, believe them! 😅✌💙 Awesome build, as always.

[@camilaborinioficial]

It was magnificent. It even made me want to try making one. Congratulations!!!

[@dvod3540]

Such satisfying videos, man! As odd as it might be, I'd love to see a new video on moss collection. Even if its just a nice ASMR style video, as i know you've already covered basics in the past. I just love moss! Lol

[@DM-ll7he]

Great job, I love it. I would love to see this done with orchids.

[@Blk_Velvet]

Ah man I thought you were gonna add green moss to the back drop, but it still looks amazing I wish I could do this!

[@marielevine5624]

Thank your wife for the beautiful idea!!