From the page: Glass is a blank canvas
Idea 2
Closed terrarium
The terrarium was born by accident in London in the 19th century, when botanist Nathaniel Ward noticed a plant growing on its own inside a sealed glass jar he had forgotten about. The magic is the water cycle: the plant transpires, the vapor touches the glass, runs back down into the soil, and starts over. It's a little world that feeds itself, which makes it perfect for anyone who says they "can even kill a cactus."
What you need
- The jar with a lid (or plastic wrap held with a rubber band)
- Pebbles for drainage
- Activated charcoal (aquarium-grade) — a pinch
- Light potting soil
- Small shade-loving plants: peperomia, mini ferns, fittonia
- A spoon, a fork, and a small rolled-up piece of paper
How to make it
-
1
Make a 1-inch layer of pebbles at the bottom — this is the "drain" that keeps the soil from getting waterlogged.
-
2
Sprinkle a thin pinch of charcoal on top, because it absorbs odors and prevents mold in a sealed environment.
-
3
Add damp (not soggy) soil at least 2 inches deep.
-
4
Plant the little plants, making holes with the fork and gently firming with your fingers — the roots need soil contact.
-
5
Mist lightly, just enough to dampen the leaves and the surface.
-
6
Close the lid and watch for two days: if the glass fogs up heavily and stays that way, open it for a few hours to vent and release the excess moisture.
Finishing touches
a closed terrarium gets watered once every many weeks — when no more droplets are running down the glass, give it a light mist. Clean the inside of the glass with a small piece of tissue wrapped around a toothpick.
This is one of the ideas from the full page — see all the possibilities.
This page feeds the collective knowledge 🌱 — every discovery makes the next answer better.