I have been taking the lid off occasionally to either wipe excess moisture off the glass or to add water when things look too dry. Sometimes the terrarium is full of condensation for days, and you can’t see anything. Just don’t choose plants native to arid climates like cacti and succulents… they’re never going to last in the humid conditions of a closed terrarium. Opt for an open terrarium instead. Then, there are air plants that can work in a closed terrarium, but you’ll need to give them additional airflow. Unlike the majority of kids’ kits available, which are decorative open terrarium builds, this kit has luscious live moss, which is appropriate for a closed container. And it’s reasonably priced, too!

Alternatively, EK Terrariums also has plenty of ready-made mossariums if you fancy skipping the DIY element altogether. 4 | Best Terrarium Kit for Older Kids If you're intrigued by gardening but feel overwhelmed, making your own terrarium can be a fun and easy way to start growing plants. Or if you have experience gardening or collecting houseplants, a terrarium can be a new, more creative medium to test out. "Terrariums add another dimension to your indoor gardening," says Steinkopf, who loves making terrariums. "They have a mystery about them that is intriguing and they contain a 'little world' that fascinates people of every age," she says.As we’ve touched on earlier, bright indirect light is the name of the game in closed terrarium care. Plenty of energy and none of the risk of scorching. Does that mean a closed terrarium needs to be airtight? Not really. It’ll still function as long as it can trap moisture and humidity. Besides, it’s often good to air out a closed terrarium now and again to get in some fresh carbon dioxide and get out some mold spores. Our closed terrarium kits contain all the tools, soil, gravel, stones and charcoal you need. Suitable plants are also available as an option. Small house plants work best, but make sure you buy miniature versions e.g. Polka dot plants, Peperomia Miniature, Miniature English ivy

Personal Touches– Once the ecosystem is in place, it’s time to create your final scene and add any last highlights. Natural or otherwise (dinosaur figurines count as natural, right?)You can make up your tropical substrate mix using: a soil base like potting soil, bark that has not been dyed, sphagnum moss, and horticultural sand/grit. It’s not aimed at kids per se, but with quality materials, it’s a nice option for an older child wanting to get to grips with terrarium layers. The closed terrarium water cycle mimics that found in nature. Once water is added to the terrarium and the lid closed, it becomes continually recycled. Water droplets form inside the glass container due to condensation and the plants giving off water through their pores (stomates) during photosynthesis. Water then runs down the jar into the soil, and the process repeats.

Want to add more greenery to your room, office, or home without simply buying another houseplant? Consider creating your own terrarium. When it comes to getting lids for open containers, I find getting acrylic disks cut to size is the best option. There are plenty of companies online that can cut something to a precise dimension for a reasonable cost. An acrylic lid looks just like glass and it’s much cheaper and lighter. Though it can be much easier to use a grow light setup. That way, you can guarantee that all the plants are getting enough light, and there’s no risk of scorching. It needn’t be anything fancy; a simple grow bulb in an Ikea light will do (yes, that’s speaking from experience). Sometimes, the simplest terrarium lighting options work the best! You’ll need a good foundation, lots of structure and support, and plenty of drainage – then, finally, a boatload of gorgeous plants.Yes, worms can serve in a closed terrarium with the correct setup, these can be used in terrariums built from local habitats. As I’ve mentioned, kids’ kits often can put style over substance, and that certainly isn’t true with this kit.