How to Make Air Plant Terrarium and Care

Making a terrarium is simple and can be a fun process. Air plants are hardy, so they do not require much maintenance. Well, in this page, we are going to explain about how to make and care for the Air Plant Terrarium.

Making Air Plant Terrarium

Here is a way to make air plant Terrarium:

Part 1: Designing a Terrarium

• Please choose up to three air plants for your terrarium. Air plants named Tillandsia, grow to be a variety of different sizes. Many of them grow up to 13 cm long and 10 cm across. But there are some varieties that grow as much as 0.91 m long and will not last long in a terrarium.

• You have to choose a vented glass container to house your air plants. After you have decided upon a plant size, discover a quality container to match. These containers come in a variety of sizes and styles, so remember how you want the finished terrarium to look. Usually, round terrariums are great for most small air plants, but ensure yours has an open top or side. While teardrop and pyramid-shaped containers fit Tillandsia stricta well, however, ensure it has a missing panel on the top or side for ventilation.
• Now, you have to choose pebbles, sand, or another base for the terrarium. Choose something lightweight which does not retain a lot of water. If you are looking for a simple choice, get several coarse aquariums or sandbox sand. Aquarium gravel or polished pebbles will bring some color to your terrarium. Please use decorative moss or crushed, recycled glass to create your terrarium unique.

More Info: Will Terrarium Work for Venus Flytraps?

• Also, you need to get bark, shells and other items if you want to decorate the terrarium. Actually, these decorations are not necessary, however they are useful for filling space inside the terrarium. Lots of decorations, such as bark and sticks, can be discovered outdoors, but ensure they are dry and free of the bugs before putting them in the terrarium. Please scatter several decorative moss or aquarium shells around for color. With careful decorating, you will be able to make your terrarium look like a small piece of nature.

Part 2: Constructing the Terrarium

• You have to add sand in at least a 2 in thick layer to the terrarium. Please pour the sand into the terrarium first, so it forms a base for you to build on. Use plain, regular-colored sand for an inexpensive base which fits well with most terrarium designs. Then, level the sand out with your hand.
• Please brighten the terrarium with a layer of colored sand or other material. Usually, sand comes in all sorts of different colors you can use to turn your terrarium into something vibrant and unique. If you are looking for something different, you are able to spread a 1 in thick layer of rocks or recycled glass. Rocks and glass will add a variety. They are a good choice if you do not want your terrarium to look like a miniature beach or desert.
• For the forest theme, you are able to place several scrap woods around the terrarium. Ensure you have room between the wood to fit the air plants. You will be able to turn one piece of wood upside down and mount the air plant onto it for an alternative way to mix these decorations.
• Also, you will be able to use shells to make a beach theme for your terrarium. After filling the terrarium with plain sand or colorful aquarium sand, please select some pretty shells you like. Then, set them down on top of the sand near where you will put the air plants. It will make the air plants look like they grew up naturally from the sand rather than having been placed in the middle of all decorations.
• To give your terrarium more variety, use decorative plants or coral. Get several aquarium corals, such as a red or black sea fan. Another choice is to add a plant like a yarrow and rest it inside one of the terrarium vents. Those decorations will add many colors to your terrarium without taking nutrients away from the air plants. Just spread them around so it looks like the air plants grew side by side with coral or the decorative plants.
• Please place the air plants on top of the material in the container. Just set them down gently in a wide spot to let them adapt to their new home. Ensure the plants are not pressed up against the decorations or the walls of your terrarium. It will help them spread their leaves and dry off if they get wet.
• In this step, you have to secure the air plants with glue if you want to mount them to decorations. Plan out the terrarium by placing all decorations, then set the plants where you intend on mounting them. Choose a nontoxic adhesive, then spread thin. Gently press the plant onto the adhesive to stick it in place.

Caring for Air Plant Terrarium

• You have to take the plants out of the terrarium at least once a week. Despite air plants getting their nutrients from the air, they still need a little bit of water from time to time. Please set aside a day every week for watering. Also, pull each plant out to avoid too much moisture to the terrarium.
• You need to soak the plants in a bowl of cold water for up to 30 minutes. Please fill a bowl with water, then simply submerge the plants
• Please leave the plants in an open area to air dry for four hours. Shake each plant gently to remove excess moisture. Then, you are able to set it in a spot with good air circulation. Also, keep the plants out of direct sunlight while they dry. When they are done drying, just move them back to the terrarium.
• You have to pull the buds off of the plant when they form and grow. Air plants will produce new plants named pups. Over time, you may see those new plants coming up from the bottom of the stem. Please wait until they are at least ⅓ of the size of the original plant. Afterwards, you are able to twist them off by hand to remove them. You will be able to get rid of them or set them in a terrarium so they continue to grow.