Ever thought of creating your own terrarium but not sure how to begin or what to look out for? If so, you’re at the right place.

Creating a terrarium is not only about making it look pretty but there is also some background knowledge required to ensure that the plants stay healthy.

Before purchasing the materials to make the terrarium, basic research should be done to understand the kinds of plants suitable for the environment in the terrarium and the type of soil that will be good for it.

The most important rule to note is that not all plants can be used in a terrarium. Four most common plants suitable for terrariums are; cactus, moss, succulent, and limonium plants. These plants are usually easy to care for, thus making them the perfect plants as decorations.

Cactus and succulent plants require a lot of sunlight but not a lot of water so they are suitable as outdoor plants while moss and limonium plants do not require a lot of sunlight so they can be used for indoor displays. All four plants, however, have something in common — they do not require a lot of water.

So, how will you know how much water to give these plants?

The rule of thumb is that all plants need to be watered once a week with approximately 8 drops of water each time. However, it is not a rule that is cast in stone. For example, for terrariums with lids, observing its condensation level is important to know when to water the plants. The optimal condition is when the terrarium has a clear glass with condensation. This means that there is still moisture inside and need not be watered. However, if the glass becomes cloudy, it means that there is heat trapped inside and it is important to have it expelled for the plants to be healthy.

Another important point to take note is that unlike those terrariums made from frozen flowers, the common plants mentioned above will grow so when choosing a home for the plant, ensuring that there is ample space for it to bloom is important. Over time, to prevent overcrowding, you will also need to trim the plants once in a while.

With the right condition and amount of love, terrariums can live up to 50 years so do not think that it is a decoration that can be left all by itself but instead more like a pet that you need to care for.