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For a succulent terrarium that has a better chance of staying healthy, choose an open glass bowl or wide-mouth vessel, plant small succulents in fast-draining cactus mix, and water sparingly. Succulents generally need drainage: a layer of gravel inside a sealed glass container does not replace a drainage hole. For a closed-glass look, use removable nursery pots inside the display vessel so you can take them out to water and drain.
Choose an open vessel for a succulent display
Open containers allow airflow and suit succulents and other dry-loving plants. Closed terrariums retain humidity, making them a better match for tropical plants than for most succulents, according to UF/IFAS Extension. A wide opening also makes it easier to arrange plants and reach them for care.
There are two practical ways to get a glass-display look:
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| Setup | What it offers | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Open bowl, planted directly | Airflow, an uninterrupted planted display, and easy access. | Choose a vessel with a drainage hole for conventional succulent care. If it has no outlet, excess water cannot drain away. |
| Closed outer vessel with removable nursery pots | A glass enclosure around the plants while each plant remains in a pot that can be removed for watering and draining. | This is a practical workaround, not a self-sustaining ecosystem. Take the pots out to water, let them drain fully, and return them without leaving pooled water in the outer vessel. |
Gravel at the bottom of a container without a drainage hole is not a substitute for a hole. Iowa State University Extension cautions that succulents can remain too wet even when coarse gravel sits beneath the soil. Decorative stones can finish the design, but they do not solve drainage.
#1 Best Overall
- CREATE - Make your own unique terrariums from glass or containers you already have at home. This quick start kit includes a guide to help you get started and the materials needed to make healthy environments for small plants that you add yourself. Just add your own container and plants.
- VALUE - The Large Terrarium Kit includes a 4.5’’x 2.25’’ container of Moss (Reindeer Moss, Forest Moss & Lichen), 4.5’’x 5.75’’ Potting Soil Blended with Activated Charcoal, 4.5”x 2.25” Gardening Vermiculite, 4.5”x 1.75” Pea Pebbles & River Stones, 1 oz fl Plant Food, Bamboo Tongs, Natural Hair Brush, (3) Miniature Dinos, Succulent Care Guide, Build & Care Guide, and Cute Farms Sticker. Save when compared to buying individual materials.
- PREMIUM INGREDIENTS - The included Moss mix is preserved, and it will keep looking fresh without any maintenance for a long time. The beautiful bright moss colors are the perfect finishing touch to any terrarium. The Blended Potting Soil increases drainage abilities while allowing airflow, and it's a perfect mix of nutrients. Charcoal is added for its natural ability to retain nutrients. Our Fine Grade Horticultural Vermiculite soil amendment provides the right amount of water drainage.
- UNIQUE GIFT IDEA - Do you know someone who loves plants? Our Large Terrarium Kit is a perfect idea for all nature lovers. Perfect for kids, adults, family projects, team events, or as a gift idea. Whether you’re looking for a housewarming gift or just want to bring extra greenery into your home, a terrarium is an ideal present.
- USA MADE - Our terrarium kits are made and packed in the USA to ensure quality. If you don’t absolutely love our Terrarium Starter Kit we’ll refund your entire purchase amount within 30 days. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.
Pick plants that can share the same conditions
Choose plants with similar light and moisture needs so one arrangement is not trying to satisfy incompatible care requirements. Iowa State Extension recommends matching terrarium plants by soil moisture and light. Before buying, check each plant’s mature size as well as its care needs; small plants may eventually outgrow a compact display.
For a balanced composition, combine different shapes rather than packing in as many plants as will fit:
Rank #2
- All-in-one Diy Terrarium Starter Kit: Get the core materials, tools and step-by-step guide needed to start your terrarium project in one box. Includes potting soil, pumice, zeolite, green moss, sphagnum moss, decorative stone, mesh and care tools. Designed for approximately 5–7 inch terrarium jars or containers, depending on container shape and layer thickness. Plants and glass container are not included.
- Beginner-friendly, Layer-by-layer Guide: New to terrariums? Follow the included guide to arrange the drainage substrate, mesh, potting mix, moss and decorative materials step by step. Each layer has a clear purpose, helping first-time builders create an organized terrarium setup with less guesswork.
- Purposeful Materials For Each Layer: Pumice and zeolite create the lower substrate layer, mesh helps separate the potting mix above it, while moss and decorative stone add natural texture and finishing detail. Adjust the amount of each material based on the size, shape and desired layer thickness of your container.
- Made Primarily For Open Terrariums: Designed primarily for open terrarium projects such as succulent, air plant and miniature garden displays. Choose plants with similar light and moisture needs and follow the included care guide for watering. Different plants may require different materials and care routines, so adjust your setup to match the plants you choose.
- A Relaxing & Creative Diy Project: Turn an empty glass container into your own miniature landscape and customize the layers, plants and decorative finish to match your style. The hands-on building experience makes this DIY succulent terrarium kit a relaxing activity for beginners, nature lovers, families and friends, and a thoughtful DIY gift for special occasions.
- Upright: one small focal plant can give the arrangement height.
- Intermediate: a lower, fuller form can balance the focal plant.
- Trailing: a plant with a trailing habit can soften the edge, if the vessel gives it room.
These are design roles, not species recommendations. Scale the number of plants to the vessel, leave space between them, and avoid burying their crowns. Oregon State Extension horticulturist Brooke Edmunds advises: “You don’t want plants to grow too big and out of the terrarium too fast, so get very small ones and don’t fertilize too much.”
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Use cactus and succulent potting mix, or another medium intended to drain quickly. The UC Agriculture and Natural Resources terrarium guide lists cactus mix among its materials, and Iowa State Extension also recommends commercial cactus and succulent mixes for indoor growers.
Rank #3
- COMPLETE DIY PLANTING KIT – NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED — Everything you need to pot any plant or build a self-sustaining glass ecosystem. Just follow the included step-by-step instructions — simple, intuitive, and suitable for all skill levels.
- ALL MATERIALS INCLUDED – JUST BRING YOUR CONTAINER — Kit contains: potting soil, decorative stones, sphagnum moss, activated charcoal, bamboo tweezers, bamboo spoon, and instructions — perfectly dosed for a single project. No waste, no leftovers. (Container & plant not included)
- WORKS WITH ANY PLANT OR CONTAINER — Perfect for terrariums, succulents, cacti, Fittonia, bonsai, moss or any indoor plant. Use a glass jar, vase, bowl or pot — layer the materials your way and create something unique.
- SELF-SUSTAINING OR OPEN PLANTING – YOUR CHOICE — Seal your container for a low-maintenance closed ecosystem with its own water cycle, or use it open for succulents and cacti. One kit, endless possibilities — perfect for beginners and busy plant lovers.
- BEAUTIFUL INDOOR DECORATION & PERFECT GIFT — A stylish addition to any home, living room, or office desk. Makes a unique and creative gift for plant lovers, nature enthusiasts, and kids of all ages.
Do not treat a gravel layer as a way to make a sealed container drain. With no outlet, water remains in the vessel; a gravel layer does not remove it. River rocks and small garden ornaments are optional finishing touches, not plant-care necessities. Charcoal is also listed in the UC ANR guide, but it is not essential to the basic planting method described here.
Build the terrarium step by step
- Prepare the glass. Clean the vessel and let it dry. Confirm whether it has a drainage hole; if it does not, use removable nursery pots rather than planting directly in a sealed container.
- Add the mix. Put in enough fast-draining cactus and succulent mix to support the plants. Avoid adding a gravel base as a supposed substitute for drainage.
- Arrange the plants. Set them at a depth that supports their roots without covering their crowns. Place the taller focal plant first, then position lower or trailing plants around it, leaving room between plants.
- Finish the surface. Add river rocks or a small ornament if desired. Keep decorations from crowding the plants or obscuring the soil.
- Water cautiously. Water the soil rather than leaving water pooled in the vessel. If using nursery pots inside a decorative outer container, remove them for watering and let excess water drain before putting them back.
Water by how the setup dries, not by a fixed calendar
The UC ANR guide gives watering every 2–3 weeks as an instruction for its project, but that interval is not a universal schedule. How quickly a planting dries depends on the vessel, mix, light, temperature, and airflow. Check the soil and the plant’s condition, and do not leave standing water around the roots. A closed display is especially unforgiving if water collects inside it.
Rank #4
- Premium Terrarium Supplies, MADE IN THE USA, Our starter kits Have The Key Ingredients to get you going.
- Soil - Our bioactive soil is THE BEST. MADE IN USA. IT’s full of composted pine bark. This is the cadillac of plant food. Full of bioactive life. This helps soil and roots remain healthy. Imported Soils are STERILIZED. Perfect Succulent Soil.PH balanced.
- Our Kits come with Charcoal, U.S. Pea Gravel Gems, Activated Charcoal, And Preserved Moss. Expensive to buy alone!
- Great for adult terrariums, or snail terrariums. Our soils have no additives. Just full of hearty natural ingredients.
- USA MADE: TerraGreen Creations Is the Original Terrarium Kit company. We have sold Tens of thousands of kits since 2016! IF you Are Not Happy. Let us know and we will refund your order.
For a conventional planted arrangement, the best fit is a container with a drainage hole. If the design calls for glass without one, removable draining pots make it possible to water plants separately and empty excess water before returning them to the display.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- COMPLETE DIY TERRARIUM KIT — Create your own miniature botanical display with a coordinated set of materials and tools in one kit. The glass globe, live moss, layering materials, decorative pieces and mini tools give you the essentials to build and personalize your terrarium from the ground up
- REAL LIVE MOSS INCLUDED — Unlike kits built only around decorative or artificial materials, this terrarium set includes real live moss to bring natural texture and color into your finished arrangement. Follow the included care guidance to help the moss recover after shipping and maintain it as part of your terrarium.
- LAYER, BUILD & PERSONALIZE — Arrange the included substrates, sand, gravel, moss and decorative accents to create depth, texture and your own miniature landscape. Mini tools help with placing and adjusting smaller details, making the building process part of the experience rather than simply displaying a finished product.
- GLASS GLOBE DISPLAY — The clear glass globe keeps the miniature arrangement visible from multiple angles, while the coordinated wood base and metal frame create a finished display for desks, shelves, tables and other indoor spaces. The compact design turns the completed terrarium into part of your decor.
- STAND OR HANG — Display the finished terrarium on its wood base or use the included hanging rope for another presentation option. The flexible format makes it easy to incorporate the finished piece into a desk, shelf, tabletop or other indoor display area.
Style the display without compromising plant care
- Keep the composition open. Leave visible space around plants so the arrangement is easier to inspect and maintain.
- Use contrast in shape and scale. Pair an upright focal point with lower or trailing forms, but check mature size before combining them.
- Treat accents as accents. River rocks and small ornaments can personalize the display; they are not substitutes for suitable mix, compatible plants, or drainage.
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