Terrarium Care

Light

Place your miniature garden at a well-lit place, with no direct sunlight, as it can create a greenhouse effect that will over-increase the interior temperature. I pick plants that can survive low light intensity, yet please keep in mind that fluorescent light emits only ~1% of sunlight intensity, and overall light during winter times is about half than during the summer at Southern California. Therefore, during wintertime you can place the terrarium closer to a window.

About once a month rotate your terrarium half a round in order to ensure even growth.

Temperature

Your glass garden contains plants that enjoy warm and humid environments. Room temperature should be around 55-80°F. If temperatures exceed 80° take off the lid and water accordingly.

Water Irrigation

Since the glass garden is a close, autonomous system, watering needs to take place only up to several times per year. The moss and soil are your indicators for irrigation - when they look dry lift the moss gently and check the soil underneath. If they feel dry add a teaspoon - 2spoons of non-calcareous water (filtered or boiled, after cooling down), depending on the size of your terrarium.

Water Excess

Room temperature fluctuations along the year can cause increased condensation on the glass walls. If extreme condensation occurs remove the lid for 24 hours or gently wipe some of the water with a paper towel. Increased condensation encourages micro-algae growth on the glass and fungi development, therefore should be avoided.

Condensation can also occur due to direct sunlight and concomitant high temperature. In this case move your glass garden away from direct sunlight.

Growth management

As your plants thrive and grow, their leaves may touch the glass. If a leaf touches the glass, you can prune it at its base (this is optional). Ficus leaves are resilient and stay healthy when touching the glass whereas more gentle leaves might rotten upon being press againgst the walls. In this case cut the leaf at its base. You can also remove dead leaves.

The miniscule white bugs are called springtails, and the help keeping the balance by feeding on fungi and mold.

In addition, sometimes there are flies' eggs inside the soil, that hatch after the terrarium is sealed. You can either let the stay inside or open the lid and release them. They are harmless.

Under rare occasions you can spot a tiny snail or slug that hatched inside. In that case try to remove them, as they will feed on the plants.