#30: Make a Terrarium

What is a terrarium?

A terrarium is a small, closed container for plants.


Materials needed: jar or glass container with lid (you can also use an old fish tank if you have one), potting soil, plants and water.

Take a clear jar—the wider and bigger the better. Place some soil in the bottom of the jar. You will need the soil to be about 5 cm (2 inches) deep in the bottom of the jar. You can plant seeds or cuttings from houseplants in your terrarium. (Depending upon the plant, you might be able to place the cutting straight into the soil or you may have to place it in water until roots start to grow before you plant it.) Water your plants or seeds. Then place a lid on the jar. If you do not have a lid, plastic wrap or a small plate will work nicely.

In time, the plants will grow. Because they are in a sealed jar, they will need to be watered only once or twice a year. If it gets really wet and mildewy in the jar, you may have to remove the lid for a day or two to let it dry out a little bit and clean the algae from the jar's sides. Essentially, you are creating your own little atmosphere.

Have fun!


This activity promotes taking care of living things.