An old story, a modern art
In this article
Terrariums: easy to maintain, perfect for small spaces and simply beautiful. These are just a few of the reasons terrariums are so well suited to interiors, from homes to offices.
A miniature ecosystem behind glass.
The history of terrariums
In 1842, botanist Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward published a book called “On the Growth of Plants in Closely Glazed Cases”, in which he told the story of his intriguing discovery. Ward enjoyed observing insects, and had placed a chrysalis inside a glass bottle, sealing it with a makeshift stopper. As part of his study, he put the bottle in a spot that received sunlight. He noticed moisture forming at the top of the bottle during the day, before returning to the soil at the bottom.
To his surprise, a fern and some grass sprouted inside the bottle a few days later. These were the very plants he had been struggling to grow in his garden. Ward suspected that pollution from local factories was affecting their growth outdoors. This led him to believe that plants could thrive if protected from environmental pollutants. He then placed the bottle outside his window, where the plants continued to flourish for four years without any further watering. The terrarium was born. These miniature gardens soon became fashionable in Victorian England, although they were then known as “Wardian cases”. Ward commissioned carpenters to build such cases to transport British plants to Australia. Despite spending months at sea, the plants arrived in excellent condition and were still growing.
The water stays in. And gets around.
A little journey inside the same glass world. Open each step to follow along.
1 · Upwards — evaporation & transpiration
Water from the growing medium and plants enters the air as water vapour.
2 · Droplets form — condensation
Water vapour condenses into droplets on the inner surface of the glass.
3 · Back to the roots
The droplets return to the growing medium. In a closed terrarium, the water keeps circulating.
What are terrariums?
A terrarium is a miniature ecosystem, usually housed in clear glass. There are two types: open and closed. Closed terrariums have a lid or other cover that prevents air from entering or escaping.
The choice between an open and a closed terrarium matters: it depends directly on the plants you want to grow inside. The wrong choice can cause them to wilt.
Closed terrariums are planted with species that enjoy high humidity. These include ferns, pileas, fittonias, peperomias, carnivorous plants and many others, as well as mosses. Mosses are particularly popular in closed terrariums, and these compositions are also known as “moss terrariums”.
Open terrariums are usually planted with species that need little watering, such as cacti and succulents. Even here, careful plant selection is essential: many succulents, for example, are unsuitable for growing in glass containers.
Closed terrariums
Closed terrariums require very little maintenance. An occasional misting is enough for the plants inside, as water is continually recycled within the enclosed environment. Success depends on choosing suitable plants and placing the terrarium somewhere bright, out of direct sunlight.
Open terrariums
Open terrariums have no lid, so the top remains open at all times. Their plants therefore need a little more watering, but care is essential because the glass containers have a solid base with no drainage holes. For this reason, it is important to place materials such as decorative gravel at the bottom to improve drainage. Lightly mist the plants from time to time, adjusting the frequency to the species you are growing.