by Gabriella Martin

Created on: May 18, 2009

You've selected the appropriate container and the perfect, tiny plants. Your terrarium is planted and ready to go. Now what do you do to keep it looking that way?

The first thing that needs to be monitored is the amount of moisture in the container. A balanced terrarium should have a little water on the surface of the container. Large water drops are a sign of too much moisture inside. This can lead to mold or rotting. Remove the cover until some of the water has evaporated.

If you are consistently seeing large or no water droplets on the surface, a change in the amount of times between watering is needed. If the terrarium is completely enclosed, it should be watered no more than once a month. Partially enclosed containers need watering every other week and open containers need water weekly.

No matter what watering scheduled is followed, one of the biggest obstacles to growing a successful terrarium is over watering. In terrariums, there is no place for the water to go. It drains to the bottom of the container and sits there. This can lead to root rot and mold. Water a little at a time to prevent this.

Once a week, check the terrarium for debris from the various plants growing inside. Remove dead leaves and any dead flowers that have fallen from the plants.

If any plants become diseased, remove them immediately to prevent the disease from spreading to other plants. Replace the removed plant with a healthier specimen.

Any plants placed in a terrarium should be slow growing. In a healthy terrarium, plants eventually will outgrow the container it is growing in. Again, remove these plants and replace them with smaller varieties. When selecting plants, be sure to choose those that grow at a slower pace.

A healthy terrarium should not need fertilizing. Terrariums are their own ecosystem and should be able to sustain themselves. If a grower feels that fertilizer is necessary because the plants appear to be malnourished, the fertilizer should be diluted. Use a product at the normal strength used for common house plants. Follow directions on the label to dilute it to the lower concentration.

A terrarium is an excellent project for both children and adults. The containers can be as simple as a clear, plastic pop bottle. They are easy to create and even easier to maintain. Gather some supplies and create one today. Following these simple maintenance tips will help ensure a successful terrarium.

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