TERRARIUM BASICS
HOTHOUSE terrariums are stunning pieces of living art. From the sophisticated Dwarf Congo Rojo to the cheery, pink splashed Milk Confetti Syngonium, HOTHOUSE brings to you the most interesting and unique terrarium designs. These make perfect additions to any home decor and make for unique gifts that people are sure to notice!
Our terrariums are comprised of multiple layers that each provide benefits for your plant to thrive.
Drainage Layer
This is the very bottom/first layer of our terrariums. It provides drainage and acts as a water reservoir in the event of overwatering. Any excess water will drain into this layer to provide your plant with the correct amount of moisture. As this water creates humidity, it will slowly make its way through the layers above it.
Filter Layer
The second layer above the drainage layer is the filter layer which is comprised of activated carbon. The substrate in this layer filters water that passes through it. This provides your plant with clean, purified water and prevents mold, toxins, and bacteria from forming.
Moisture Layer
The next layer above the filter layer is the moisture layer. This is comprised of moss which is beneficial for retaining water and preventing soil from falling to the bottom. The moss will retain water which the soil will slowly absorb, creating even moisture throughout. Another benefit to the moss layer is that it provides aeration which is necessary for healthy growth.
Soil Layer
The soil layer holds most of the nutrients that plants need as well as a medium for roots to cling to. We use a proprietary soil mix to provide enough moisture and drainage. This mix also includes nutrients that are time released to reduce the need to fertilize immediately after terrariums are received.
Decorative Layer
The very top layer of the terrarium is the decorative layer. This layer can be comprised of different types of substrates and gives the terrarium a visually appealing and complete aesthetic. We use pebbles as we have found that this provides enough stability for plants and does not allow moisture to escape too quickly.
Humidity Layer
We call this layer, which is the curved portion of the glass, the humidity layer. This is simply the design of our terrariums. The curved portion of the glass traps moisture and increases humidity inside of the terrarium.
TERRARIUM CARE
The terrarium you receive will be sufficiently watered so there is not a need to immediately water it. Plants will sometimes look droopy or “sad” after being shipped. This is normal and your plant should perk back up after acclimating to its new environment but keep a close eye on it for the first week to make sure that it has enough water.
How can you tell if your plant has enough water? The glass allows you to view the soil and moss layers. If these both appear dry, then it is most likely time to water.
Water your terrarium evenly and slowly to dampen both layers. This is more convenient and easier with our watering squirt bottles which we offer HERE.
HOTHOUSE Watering Squeeze Bottle: https://hothouseofmi.com/products/hothouse-watering-bottle
Once both layers are damp, you can stop watering. If the water begins to pool in the drainage layer, it is time to stop watering. Although this layer acts as a water reservoir, filling the terrarium with water so that it pools at the bottom should not be a common practice as this may lead to root rot if there is consistently standing water in the drainage layer.
Another method used to determine if your terrarium needs water is by weight. After a full watering, make a mental note of how it weighs. This will give you an idea of how the terrarium feels when it is wet vs when it is dry. Don’t worry. You will get to know your plant very well!
It is recommended that terrariums are given diluted fertilizer every other month, after the first or second month of receiving it, for optimal health.
We acclimate our plants to common household environments to reduce shock. Many of our plants do well in average household humidity levels but they can usually benefit from moderate to high humidity. If you are in an area with extremely low humidity, your plant may benefit from misting or placing it near a humidifier.
The open area, humidity layer, of the terrarium may get cloudy after a while. You can resolve this to keep your terrarium looking clean by using a Q-Tip to gently wipe the inside of the glass. Our watering bottles allow you to lightly squirt off any dirt or particles that may also be on the glass.
Be sure to read the description of our terrarium varieties as care may slightly vary with each one. For example, the Monstera Peru can survive and do well in drier substrates due to its thick leaves which hold moisture.
Our designer plant terrariums are sure to excite you with their ever-changing beauty for years to come!