How to care for your new terrarium

Terrarium Workshop

Plant enthusiasts have enjoyed Terrarium Workshop for centuries. They’re a popular alternative to traditional potted house plants because of their beauty and low maintenance requirements. Moisture, light, and temperature are all necessary for moss terrariums to thrive.

  • All about Water

Several factors will cause each terrarium to differ slightly. Jar size, soil amount, environment, lighting, and so on. All of these things go into determining a watering schedule. Terrariums with firmly fit closures are more likely to retain moisture than those with any gap or no lid at all, resulting in a long time between watering. Once every eight weeks or so, lightly spray these terrariums. If you have a terrarium that isn’t completely sealed, you’ll need to water it more frequently. Spraying these every few weeks will help raise humidity inside the jar, occasionally adding 1/2-1 cup of water to the soil.

  • Light Requirements

In its natural environment, moss prefers a shaded place, but it does appreciate sunny unintended light. Regular room lighting is usually adequate, but it thrives close to a lamp or window (3-4 feet). Your terrarium should not be placed in a dark corner. However, never place the terrarium in straight sunlight, as the magnifying effects of its glass home will quickly roast it to death.

Terrarium Workshop

Artificial Light: Fluorescent or LED lights are recommended if the terrarium is placed near an artificial light source. These don’t emit heat and usually have a more plant-friendly spectrum. If the room indeed has very bright light from directly above or lots of windows, you may be able to place it anywhere in the space. However, if your moss begins to agonize (brown tips, yellowing), you may want to relocate it.

Natural Light: If you select to place your terrarium adjoining a window, make sure it is not fronting south, as this position will be hot in the afternoon and will burn your moss.

The best window placement is one that receives indirect light. You can place your terrarium anywhere between 1-4 feet away, and it will receive just enough light to thrive. Under the right lighting conditions, the moss will eventually grow taller stalks. It won’t outgrow your container, so don’t be concerned. But you may fastener the new growth down if you want. Remove any yellowing or brown moss as soon as possible to avoid it from spreading.

Moss requires more light than most people realize, so make sure it receives sufficient indirect light during the day, whether from an artificial or a natural source. If you put the terrarium in direct sunlight, you’ll end up burning.  Also, do not allow your light source to heat the terrarium’s interior above 78° F.

  • Temperature

The temperature of your terrarium may be the single most important factor in the success of your moss care. Moss terrariums fare best when they are kept in a cool location (under 74° F). Deadly fungus adores dark, warm, and humid environments and can take over in a matter of hours in some cases. Mold can be extremely difficult to remove once it has taken hold. Low temperatures, on the other hand, reduce the risk of mold growth.