How to Care for a Closed Terrarium
Whether you’ve made your own terrarium, bought one from our shop, or been lucky enough to receive one as a gift, welcome to the wonderful world of terrariums. These little ecosystems are low maintenance, satisfying to care for, and endlessly fascinating to watch.
This guide will walk you through the basics of terrarium care so your plants stay healthy and the balance inside the jar stays just right. With the right light, occasional trimming, and a watchful eye, your terrarium will thrive for months (and even years) to come.
Light is what makes your terrarium work. If you get it right, your plants will photosynthesise, the water cycle will stay balanced, and the whole ecosystem will tick along nicely.
Bright, indirect light is best
Keep your terrarium near an east or west-facing window, or pulled back from a sunny south-facing one. A grow light works too. Where you place it may change depending on the time of year. In the shop, we keep ours near a south-east window all year round.
Avoid direct sunlight
Too much sun can overheat the glass and scorch your plants. It’ll also throw off the humidity levels.
Avoid very low light
Low light slows plant growth and encourages mould. If the plants aren’t getting enough light, they can’t use up water, which can cause problems with moisture build-up.
Closed terrariums are filled with tropical plants, which means they prefer warm, stable temperatures. Keep your terrarium away from cold draughts or heaters, and avoid placing it anywhere that drops below 13°C.
Closed lid terrariums hold in moisture better than open top or Demijohn style terrariums and often require little to no watering at all. Still, they can dry out if left in strong light or heat, so here are some things to watch our for.
Signs your terrarium needs water:
- Moss starts to look lighter or dry
- Leaves develop brown tips or appear bleached
When adding water, go gently. Never pour water directly into one spot - use a pipette, misting bottle or small jug to water evenly.
Do:
- Keep the glass clean (dust can block light)
- Remove any mould or dead leaves as soon as you spot them
- If your terrarium has a lid, open it every few months to let in some fresh air (especially in summer)
Don't:
- Move it around too much. Plants need time to adjust to the light
- Forget it exists! It may not need much from you, but it’s still worth checking in on
- Worry if things don’t go perfectly. These are learning projects, and small changes are totally normal
Over time, your plants will grow - and that’s a great thing! Trim them back if they start to outgrow the container or block the light from others. Most of the plants we use can be easily propagated, giving you new plants to grow on or share.
Need Advice?
If you're not sure how your terrarium is doing or just want a second opinion, get in touch! Bring it into the shop, send us a message, or drop us an email. We're always happy to help!
In store we also offer various terrarium fixing services, such as trimming, plant replacement and complete rebuilds.