How to Make a Mason Jar Terrarium
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The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala
Mason jar terrariums make great gifts for teachers, as housewarming gifts, or as a way to bring sunshine into the world of a friend. They thrive on neglect, so even a determined serial plant killer can keep one of these alive. These terrariums are inexpensive, and depending on the plants, can last for years.
Making a terrarium in a mason jar is easy but requires a little finesse, because you are working in a very small planting area. While you can make a standard terrarium by planting them right side up, the look of the upside-down jars is very appealing. To do this, you use the lid for your planter.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Spray bottle or plant mister
Materials
- Mason jar (or any other jar with a screw-on lid)
- Small plants
- Moss (optional)
Instructions
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The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala
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Prepare Your Jar
If you use glass cleaner or a harsh soap, make sure to wash out the jar after and let it air out completely. Next, take your jar top and put it on a flat surface, making sure the center disk is securely placed in the lid.
The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala
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Moisten the Soil
Dampen the potting medium of your plant and then remove its pot or cell, making sure not to pull it out by the top. If it is in a pot, tap the pot and slide the plant out by gently squeezing the sides and tipping it into your hand. If your plant is in a cell pack, squeeze the bottom and push the plant out. If the plant is rootbound, rough up the roots either by rubbing them or tearing them at the bottom
The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala
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Place the Plant
Squeeze the root ball and then place the plant in the lid of the jar. You want the root ball to be compact and if possible, have all the roots covered with soil. Press the root ball into the lid so that it is mounded, but doesn't overflow.
The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala
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Add the Moss
To give the terrarium a finished look, take small pieces of moss and press them onto the soil around the plant, creating a nice green mound. Keep the moss away from the crown of the plant.
The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala
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Test Fit the Jar
Carefully corral the leaves and branches of your plant so they will fit into the jar, being careful to push the leaves and branches up. Gently place the bottle over the plant, using your fingers to push the greenery into the jar. Twisting the jar can help. If possible, keep rotating the jar until the threads of the lid catch.
The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala
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Dress Up Your Terrarium
You can use any great terrarium plants that will fit. To add a whimsical or decorative touch to your terrarium, place stones, shells, miniature figurines, or anything else that will survive the humid atmosphere of a terrarium. Make "memory" terrariums by collecting and adding keepsakes from vacation, and create a terrarium with those as the theme.
To give as a gift, simply tie a ribbon or piece of raffia around the lid of the mason jar.
The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala
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Care for Your Terrarium
Keep it out of direct sunlight, but try to give it bright indirect light. You may not have to water it for months, though you should check every few weeks to make sure the soil is moist, not wet. If you see lots of condensation on the jar, leave it open for a few hours to dry the soil out a bit.
The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala