What Do You Need to Make a Terrarium? A Beginner's Checklist
Creating a terrarium at home can be a simple and rewarding way to bring a miniature garden indoors. The good news is that you do not need a huge collection of gardening equipment to get started. However, choosing the right terrarium suppliescan make the setup process easier and help create a healthier environment for your plants. From the glass container and growing medium to drainage materials, plants, and decorative elements, each part of a terrarium has a specific purpose.
This beginner-friendly checklist explains the essential terrarium materials you need and which items are optional.
What Supplies Do You Need for a Terrarium?
A basic terrarium can be created using:
A glass container
Suitable plants
Growing medium
Drainage material
Small gardening tools
Water
Decorative materials
Optional moss or natural accents
You do not necessarily need every possible accessory. The most important thing is to match your materials to the type of terrarium and plants you want to create.
1. Choose the Right Glass Container
The container is the foundation of your terrarium.
You can choose from different shapes and sizes depending on the plants, available space, and style you want.
Open Containers
Open containers allow air to circulate more freely and allow moisture to escape.
They can be useful for plants that prefer relatively dry conditions or greater airflow. Closed Containers
Closed containers retain more humidity and moisture.
They can be appropriate for plants that prefer a more humid environment.
Before purchasing a container, consider the plants you plan to grow rather than choosing a container based only on appearance.
2. Select Suitable Terrarium Plants
Plants are obviously one of the most important terrarium essentials.
However, not every houseplant is suitable for a miniature enclosed environment.
Choose Plants With Similar Needs
Try to combine plants that have similar requirements for:
Light
Water
Humidity
Temperature
Space
This makes ongoing care much easier.
Consider Mature Plant Size
A plant that looks small when you purchase it may eventually become too large for your container.
Choose compact varieties whenever possible, especially for smaller terrariums.
Avoid Overcrowding
You do not need many plants to create an attractive terrarium.
A few well-selected plants with enough room to grow can create a more balanced arrangement than a crowded container.
3. Add a Drainage Layer
Many terrarium containers do not have drainage holes.
Because of this, a drainage layer can provide a place for excess water to collect below the growing medium.
Suitable drainage materials may include small stones, gravel, or other appropriate materials.
The exact amount depends on the size and design of the container.
4. Choose the Right Growing Medium
The growing medium provides the environment in which your plants' roots develop.
There is no single growing medium that works for every terrarium.
Choose a medium based on the plants you intend to grow.
Why the Growing Medium Matters
A suitable medium should provide the plants with:
Root support
Appropriate moisture retention
Adequate air around the roots
A suitable environment for growth
Avoid choosing soil simply because it is available. Plant requirements should determine your choice.
5. Consider Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is sometimes included in terrarium setups.
It can be used as part of a terrarium layering system, particularly in enclosed designs.
However, it should not be treated as a substitute for proper drainage, suitable growing medium, or appropriate watering.
The overall terrarium design matters more than relying on one individual material.
6. Gather Small Gardening Tools
Small tools can make planting easier, especially when working inside narrow containers.
Useful tools may include:
Small trowels
Planting tools
Tweezers
Small scissors
Long-handled tools for narrow containers
The tools you need will depend on the size and shape of your terrarium.
For broader indoor and outdoor gardening tasks, you can also explore Great Home Garden's Garden Tools Collection.
7. Prepare Water for Your Terrarium
Water is essential, but it should be used carefully.
Terrariums often have limited drainage, so adding too much water can create problems.
Instead of pouring a large amount of water into the container, add a small amount and observe the moisture level.
The appropriate amount depends on:
Container size
Plant species
Growing medium
Open or closed design
Indoor conditions
8. Add Moss When Appropriate
Moss can be used as both a living element and a decorative feature.
It can help create a natural woodland appearance and complement small plants.
However, moss should only be used when its environmental requirements are compatible with the rest of the terrarium.
A plant combination should always be based on compatible growing conditions rather than appearance alone.
9. Choose Decorative Terrarium Materials
Decorative elements can make a terrarium more visually interesting.
Popular options include:
Small stones
Pebbles
Natural wood
Decorative rocks
Miniature landscape elements
Keep Decorations Practical
Decorations should not interfere with plant growth or make maintenance difficult.
Avoid filling the container with so many decorative items that there is little room for the plants.
The plants should remain the main focus of the terrarium.
10. Consider a Terrarium Kit
If you are a complete beginner, a terrarium kit can simplify the process by combining several necessary components.
Instead of purchasing every material individually, a kit can provide a convenient starting point.
For example, the DecorBites™ Glass Bottle Terrarium Kit is a ready-made option for someone who wants a dedicated terrarium setup.
What Are the Most Important Terrarium Essentials?
If you want to keep your first project simple, focus on the essentials.
Essential Items
The most important supplies are:
Appropriate glass container
Suitable plants
Growing medium
Drainage material
Water
Basic planting tools
These items provide the foundation for creating a functional terrarium.
Optional Items
You can add:
Moss
Decorative stones
Wood
Additional decorative elements
Specialized tools
Terrarium accessories
Optional items should enhance the design rather than complicate the growing environment.
What Should Beginners Avoid Buying?
It is easy to overcomplicate a first terrarium.
You generally do not need dozens of specialized products.
Avoid buying materials simply because they are marketed as terrarium essentials if they do not serve a clear purpose in your setup.
Instead, determine:
Which plants you are growing
Whether the terrarium is open or closed
What moisture conditions are required
What size container you are using
Then purchase materials accordingly.
How to Organize Your Terrarium Supplies
Before starting, place all your materials within easy reach.
A simple setup order can be:
Clean container
Drainage material
Growing medium
Plants
Decorative materials
Water
Cleaning supplies
Having everything prepared before planting makes the process easier and reduces the chance of disturbing the plants unnecessarily.
Do You Need Expensive Terrarium Supplies?
No.
A successful terrarium does not depend on expensive equipment.
The most important factors are:
Appropriate plants
Correct moisture
Suitable lighting
Good plant compatibility
Appropriate container size
Proper growing conditions
A simple terrarium can be just as attractive as an elaborate one when the fundamentals are right.
Beginner's Terrarium Supply Checklist
Before starting your project, use this checklist:
Glass container
Suitable plants
Growing medium
Drainage material
Water
Small planting tools
Moss, if appropriate
Decorative stones or natural elements
Small scissors for maintenance
Suitable location with appropriate light
You can remove any items that are not relevant to your particular terrarium.
Where to Find Terrarium Options
If you prefer browsing ready-made terrarium products and kits instead of sourcing every component individually, the Great Home Garden Terrariums Collectionprovides a dedicated place to explore terrarium-related options.
The collection can also give beginners ideas for different container styles and miniature garden designs.
Final Thoughts
Making a terrarium does not require an overwhelming list of equipment.
Start with the basics: an appropriate container, compatible plants, suitable growing medium, drainage material, water, and a few simple tools.
From there, you can add moss, decorative stones, wood, or other elements to personalize the design.
The most important principle is to choose your terrarium supplies based on the needs of your plants and the type of environment you want to create.
A simple, well-planned setup is often easier for beginners to maintain than an overly complicated one.
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