When you first decide that you want to learn how to grow flowers in a terrarium, it might seem like an impossible task. In short, terrariums are simply full, air-filled miniature plant environments. By making a terrarium, you essentially have a mini version of a greenhouse, or even a mini-biosphere, right on your table.
But not all plants are suited for all terrariums. One of the most important factors that you should take into consideration is the type of root system your chosen plants have. Certain plants have shallow roots, while others have very deep roots. A deep rooted plant will need to have more space in its soil layer, while a shallow-rooted plant will require less soil area.
Some plants require a lot of light, while others do not. This plays an important role in how quickly plants can grow as well. The best way to tell if a plant needs a lot of light or needs to stay in the sunlight all the time, is to look at the foliage of the plant. If the leaves are yellow, then the plant requires a lot of sunlight and will stay that way quite easily. On the other hand, if the leaves are white, then the plant will prefer shade.
How much water are you willing to provide for your terrarium plants? This factor also plays a part in how quickly new plants will grow. Some plants can actually dry up and die in very short periods of time, while other plants can survive for many years outdoors in only a tiny amount of water. A good rule of thumb is to never feed any new plants directly from the water tap. Instead, use a watering can, and fill it about halfway with water. Then, use the can’s nozzle to mist the plants just as you would with a regular watering can.
The final consideration is temperature and sunlight. Some plants like the sunlight, and will do quite well in this type of environment. Others prefer the shade and prefer to be indoors all day long. It depends on what kind of plants you have as well. Most container grown plants will do fine with regular sun, although some might need a bit more.
Many people use terrariums for housing their miniature plants. Many hobbyists choose these unique homes because of the limited space, and natural lighting provided by the glass container. These plants can add a special touch to any hobby room, or even to a kitchen counter. Glass terrariums allow the gardener to keep their plants closer to them and to observe their growth without having to open up the terrarium to view the plants.
There are a few things to remember when caring for your terrarium plants. These containers are very sensitive to sudden temperature change, so make sure you do not place them near to other items that may suddenly change temperature. Be careful about overheating your container plants, since they can go into shock at very high temperatures. And be aware that some insects can actually kill your plants through molds if they are placed too close to the glass.
As with most things, the best way to learn about the answers to these gardening questions, is to do a little research. There are plenty of web sites out there which can provide you with lots of information about using air plant terrariums to grow your favorite plants, in addition to lots of different ideas about how to care for your new terrarium. Take advantage of these resources, and you should be able to learn everything you need to know about this fun hobby.