---
title: "How to create and care for a closed terrarium"
description: "Create your own self-sustaining closed terrarium easily! Learn essential setup steps, ideal plant choices, and care tips for a thriving miniature ecosystem that needs minimal watering after creation."
url: "https://getplanta.com/discover/trivia/closedterrarium"
published: "2025-11-20T08:44:36.224Z"
modified: "2026-10-06T09:48:59.692Z"
author: "Planta"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/Yi_gBwg9QMugwy76cv_vKQ.webp?size=large"
---

# How to create and care for a closed terrarium

## What is a closed terrarium?

A closed terrarium is a fun and easy way to grow plants. It is also the perfect gift as it doesn't require too much special care.

A closed terrarium is anair tight vessel in which you grow a micro-ecosystem. It becomes its own self sustaining ecosystem that won't require any care or watering from you. Not even fertilizing or pruning is required. The soil, plants and microorganisms all work together to sustain a minature world.

Through photosynthesis, plants wick up water from the soil and release moisture and oxygen in the air through their leaves. Inside the enclosed terrarium, humidity builds up and begins to rain back down on the plants and into the soil. The plants will also loose some leaves naturally that will fall down and decay. Microorganisms in the soil will then help by breaking down organic matter into the soil which releases carbon dioxide and nutrients to the plants.

![](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/Yi_gBwg9QMugwy76cv_vKQ.webp?size=large)

_This terrarium contains_Fittonia_'White Star',_Soleirolia soleirolii, Nephrolepis_'Vitale',_Pilea involucrata_'Moon Valley'and_Syngonium podophyllum_'Neon'_

## Care

Lighting is the most crucial part when it comes to caring for your closed terrarium. It needs plenty of bright, but only indirect light to thrive. If your planter is exposed to direct sunlight it can become too hot and even cook the plants inside the vessel. But if you place your terrarium in an area that's toodark**,**your plants won't be able to perform photosynthesis properly. It can cause the plants to grow very sparse and weak (called etiolation) which could even be fatal to the plants.

A spot where it'll be able to "see" the sky, but is protected from direct sun light, is best. If you live in a climate with less day hours during any season you might want to either move your planter to a brighter spot or supply it with grow lights during the darker season.

_- Rotating your planter regularly is a good idea to maintain a thriving ecosystem if the light direction is only exposing one side of the vessel._

You only need to water and mist it once and that's when you create the ecosystem. So easy!

Pruning and fertilizing won't be necessary as it will be taken care of by the plants themselves. When they reach the top of the planter some leaves might start to wilt and the plants be naturally pruned. If the planter becomes overgrown some plants will die back when they get overshadowed by other plants. The wilting leaves and other organic matter will break down into new nutrients for the other plants.

![](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/v0-v6U5kStat-XFtNldyVQ.webp?size=large)

_This terrarium contains etiolated_Fittonia_'Forest Flame',_Cryptanthus bivittatus_and_a_moss:_Eucladium_sp._

## Want to create your own closed terrarium?

### Then this is all you need

- Air tight vessel
- Drainage layer
- Soil
- Suitable plants

### Air tight vessel

You can choose any shape or type of vessel as long as it's**see through**and**air tight**. We recommend using one made out of**glass**as it's more durable, won't get discolored, doesn't age and doesn't get scratched as easily as a plastic containers. Mason jars, bottles, cookie jars, lanterns or even gumball machines can be used. Be creative and search through your home or a nearby thrift shop. There are also a lot of bottles available in garden centers that are made for just this type of project.

_Glass bottles that have corks as a lid will lose water over time since it's not fully air tight. Once you've got a good humidity balance in your terrarium, you can either close it with wax, or add just a little water once or twice a year._

### Drainage layer

The drainage layer needs to be made out of minerals so it doesn't decompos. LECA, pumice, coarse sand and decorative gravels are just some examples of a suitable drainage layer.**Adding a drainage layer will help your plants thrive**and prevent watering issues. If you're vessel of choice doesn't have that much space you can skip this layer. But we recommend adding one if possible.

### Soil

A light, fertile and fluffy soil type is suitable when planting your terrarium. Regular all purpose potting soil or a more tropical soil mix with coco coir and chunks of bark and perlite works as well.

### Suitable plants

Since you're creating a**tropical environment**it's important that you choose**tropical plants**. Succulents and cacti won't do well in your closed self sustaining terrarium. Also choosing plants that won't grow grow too large is advised.

Trees and shrubs with woody stems can be risky to use, both because they're often prone to grow very large and they're susceptible to stem rot if planted in excessively humid environments.

We recommend that you choose a mix of a**ground covering plants**,**a taller plant**and**a color popping plant**. Try to choose plants that contrast with each other to make the planter interesting and eye-catching.

_- We will list suitable plants further down in this article if you need some inspiration._

![](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/8Cq7ndtrSTyhU5j8N-kMtQ.webp?size=large)

## How to create your closed terrarium

**1.**Start by adding a drainage layer at the bottom of the vessel--  layer of at least ½ in (1cm) if possible. If the vessel you use is big and has space you can increase the drainage layer accordingly. Try to keep it to 1/3 third of the total thickness of the bottom substrates.

\- Optional: If you want to make it more advanced you can add a substrate divider to prevent the soil from blending into the drainage layer. A durable thin mesh, screen or even sphagnum moss can be used for this.

**2.**Add the soil of your choice and spread it out evenly on top of the drainage layer. If you have a larger vessel you can try to create a slope or make the center higher to create a more interesting design. Make sure it'll have space for the roots of your plants.

\- Optional: You can also add rocks, wood, figurines, sea shells or other objects to decorate the terrarium with. Some will also be excellent to use as support for climbing or epiphytic plants.

**3.**Now it's time for**the plants!**We recommend starting with the outer plants first and then working your way to the center of your creation, especially if you're working with a vessel that has a narrower neck.

Remove most of the old soil fromt the roots of the plants. Lots of plants can be divided or have several plants in the same pot. Divide them to help spread them out more. You don't need to fill out all the free space as the plants will grow.

**4.**Finish up the planter by cleaning the inside walls of the vessel and brushing off the foliage. Water the plants by misting them with a spray bottle. This can also help to clean off the last dirt from the plants and the walls of the vessel. When the plants are watered enough and it's clean it's time to close it up!

The upcoming week you'll have to keep an eye on your closed terrarium to ensure that it's been watered enough. You want some condensation to build up but not too much. If you notice that the condensation covers the entire planter you need to open up the terrarium for a couple of hours to allow some excess water to evaporate. Close it up again and enjoy your own ecosystem.

_- Note that it's perfectly normal for small microorganisms to thrive in your planter. Spring tails and wood louse are not uncommon to have in your closed terrarium. They are totally harmless and nothing to worry about. In fact, they are beneficial._

**5.**You can add your closed terrarium to Planta if you want to follow its progress.

![](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/GDLHGKdHS8q8RCG3dqyGNA.webp?size=large)

_This terrarium contains_Pteris ensiformis, Philodendron hederaceum_'Brasil',_Alocasia_'Bambino',_Callisia repens, Peperomia prostrata, Fittonia_'White Tiger' and 'Pink Angel'_

## Suitable plants

\- "sp." meaning there are multiple suitable plants within that genus.

### Low growing and ground covering plants

- _Ficus pumila,_ Creeping fig
- _Pilea libanensis,_ Silver sprinkles
- _Callisia repens,_ Turtle vine
- _Soleirolia soleirolii,_ Baby tears
- _Selaginella kraussiana,_ Krauss' spikemoss
- _Pilea depressa_, Giant's baby's tears
- _Peperomia prostrata,_ String of turtles
- Different types of tropical mosses

### Ferns to add texture

- _Adiantum_ sp.
- _Nephrolepis_ sp.
- _Pteris_ sp.
- _Asplenium_ sp.
- _Phlebodium_ sp.
- _Microsorum_ sp.
- _Doryopteris_ sp.
- _Selaginella_ sp. -_Not a fern but a spikemoss and adds similar texture to the mix_
- _Hemionitis cordata_, Heart leaf fern
- _Pellaea rotundifolia,_ Button fern
- _Davallia_ sp.
- _Actiniopteris australis_, Eyelash fern

### Medium sized plants to add interesting foliage and color

- _Fittonia_ sp., Nerve plant
- _Syngonium podophyllum,_ Arrowhead plant
- _Epipremnum aureum,_ Pothos
- _Philodendron hederaceum,_ Heart leaf philodendron
- _Alocasia_ sp. - Choose smaller sized species and cultivars such as 'Bambino', 'Black Velvet' and _Alocasia maharani_
- _Peperomia_ sp.
- _Begonia_ sp.
- _Macodes petola,_ Lighting bolt jewel orchid
- _Ludisia discolor,_ Jewel orchid
- _Hypoestes polystaycha,_ Polka dot plant
- _Tradescantia_ sp.
- _Clorophytum comosum,_ Spider plant
- _Pilea_ sp.
- _Muehlenbeckia_ sp.
- _Pellonia repens,_ Trailing watermelon begonia
- _Gynura aurantiaca_, Purple passion
- _Aglaonema_ sp.
- _Maranta leuconeura,_ Prayer plant
- _Philodendron_ sp.
- _Monstera_ sp.
- _Goeppertia_ sp. (Formerly known as _Calathea_)
- _Anthurium_ sp.
- _Callisia_ sp.
- _Synognium_ sp.
- _Murdannia_ sp. 'Bright Star'_,_
- _Rhaphidophora sp._
- _Nidularium sp._
- _Cercestis mirabilis,_ African embossed cercestis
- _Cissus amazonica,_ Amazon jungle vine
- _Episcia_ sp.
- _Ficus punctata_
- _Ficus scandens_
- _Clematicissus striata_

## Foire aux questions

### How does a closed terrarium sustain itself?

A closed terrarium becomes a self-sustaining micro-ecosystem where plants, soil, and microorganisms work together. Plants release moisture and oxygen, which condenses and rains back down, while microorganisms break down organic matter into nutrients.

### What are the lighting requirements for a closed terrarium?

Closed terrariums need plenty of bright, but only indirect light to thrive. Direct sunlight can cause the terrarium to overheat and cook the plants, while too little light can lead to sparse and weak growth.

### Do I need to water or fertilize my closed terrarium after setting it up?

Once created, a closed terrarium typically won't require any additional watering or fertilizing. The self-sustaining ecosystem recycles moisture and nutrients internally, making these tasks unnecessary.

### What types of plants are suitable for a closed terrarium?

It's important to choose tropical, low-growing plants that won't grow too large for the enclosed space. Avoid succulents, cacti, and woody-stemmed trees or shrubs, as they are not suited for the humid environment.

### What should I do if there's too much condensation in my closed terrarium?

If you notice the condensation covering the entire planter, open the terrarium for a couple of hours. This allows some excess water to evaporate before you close it up again.

### Is it normal to see small bugs or microorganisms in my closed terrarium?

Yes, it is perfectly normal for small microorganisms like springtails and woodlice to thrive in your planter. They are harmless, beneficial, and nothing to worry about.

## How to create a closed terrarium

1. Start by adding a drainage layer of at least ½ inch (1 cm) at the bottom of the vessel.
2. Add your chosen soil and spread it evenly on top of the drainage layer, ensuring space for plant roots.
3. Plant your chosen plants, starting with the outer ones, working inwards, and removing most old soil from their roots.
4. Clean the inside walls of the vessel and mist the plants with a spray bottle to water and clean them.
5. Close the terrarium, then monitor condensation levels and open it for a few hours if the entire planter is covered.

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