Care tips

Common mistakes in caring for woodland terrariums:

Too much light- It is easy to roast plants living in terrariums. The glass can act like a magnifying glass and burn your plants. (None of mine have actually caught on fire, but...). So, it's best to keep woodland terrariums out of direct sun.

Too little light- Most plants need some light to survive. You can use grow lights or fluorescent lights outfitted with one warm and one cool bulb to bring light to a dark corner, but placement within ten feet of a window works best.

Too close to radiators- The heat of a radiator can kill your plants quickly. If you have no alternative homes for your plants, try misting them with water once or twice and day in addition to regular watering.

Letting plants get scraggly- If a plant is looking bad in your terrarium, get rid of it fast or remove dead or dying leaves. If the plant is diseased, take it out immediately as it can infect others. Dig the plant out with a long spoon, being careful not to disturb the roots of neighboring plants. Replace the plant with one of a similar size and light requirement, making sure to surround the roots with soil, leaving no air pockets.

Dirty glass- Every once in a while, clean the inside and outside of your terrarium with a damp piece of newspaper or micro-fiber cloth. Do not use any harsh cleaning products inside the terrarium once it is planted.

Over watering- It is easy to over water terrariums. One way to prevent this is to use a spray bottle instead of pouring water. It is easier to lightly water if you spray. If you have a lidded terrarium, leave the top off until it has dried out.

Over fertilizing- Don't use chemical fertilizers in your terrarium. To encourage growth and flowering, use a mild organic fertilizer such as liquid seaweed or fish emulsion that can be diluted with your regular watering.