Did you ever have a substitute teacher in your classroom? Several weeks ago, I had to be a substitute. For about 40 years, I have been a member of Kappa Kappa Iota. Kappa is a national educational organization with emphasis on philanthropy, professional development, networking and scholarships. It was time for the Columbus chapter to host the state convention. The first thing we checked off the to-do list was the program. Daphne Bordelon, a fellow Master Gardener, was invited to present a program on terrariums. Sadly, Daphne was killed in a car accident. I became a substitute.

I first learned of terrariums many years ago when Mama attended the monthly meeting of the Old Zion Homemakers Club. Using the provided directions, I recall walking around the yard, collecting the needed materials and creating a terrarium in an old goldfish bowl. The process was simple.
With the guidance of Ashley, Daphne’s daughter, an Amazon order, a local plant department and donated quart jars, we got a plan together.

Terrariums are an excellent choice if your indoor space is limited or you don’t have the space for a complete, complex ecosystem display.

First, you will need to select a clear, clean glass container for your mini ecosystem. Use your creativity. There are cute glass boxes that are house-shaped with a hinged lid. I found apothecary jars in various sizes to create samples for display. An old fishbowl would work. Just be sure that your container can be sealed with a lid to create a humid, self-contained tropical environment perfect for moisture-loving plants.

Our project will need drainage. Add small pebbles or pea gravel to the entire bottom of the container. Your container will not have a drainage hole, so moisture may accumulate in this area.

Now add a layer of activated charcoal to keep the water fresh. The charcoal layer will help prevent odor and mold. This antimicrobial layer will also keep the plants from rotting.

Next, we will need to add our potting soil. The depth of the soil will depend on the size of the container you selected and the plants. Adding the soil at various levels will create a more natural appearance.

I found more than enough plants locally. They were labeled suitable for terrariums.

Place your larger plant first. It will work in the center of your container or toward the back. Then smaller plants can go around the edge. Press down gently into the soil, creating an asymmetrical look.

The soil can be covered with moss, working it gently around the plants. The moss helps keep moisture and creates a natural aesthetic. I was surprised at the variety of mosses I found locally. You can select sheet moss, cushion moss, sphagnum or aquatic mosses. If you choose to harvest moss from outdoors, clean it by soaking it in a bucket of warm water for about 20 minutes to remove excess dirt and debris.

I ordered terrarium tools for the Kappa project. You could use a long wooden skewer, a ruler or an old kitchen utensil if your hand will not fit through the opening of your container. A small paintbrush can be used to tidy up the inside of your container.

Give your terrarium a bit of personality by adding beach glass, seashells, a small figurine, leftovers from the fairy garden craze or any whimsical item!

As this is a closed ecosystem, condensation should form on the inside of your container and run back down into the soil. If you see water or the plants look wet, take the lid off for about 15 minutes to dry. If it appears to be dry, add a few drops of water slowly.

Happy gardening!

Former elementary teacher and avid gardener Olivia Sansing lives in the New Hope community and shares timely tips on behalf of the Lowndes County Master Gardeners.