If you like plants, but don't like taking care of them, a terrarium is just the thing for you! Terrariums can be open at the top, or fully enclosed. Certain plants, like cacti and other succulents, do well in an open terrarium. Others practically take care of themselves for months, even years, in enclosed terrariums. Whichever you choose, terrariums are a fun and easy way to enjoy indoor plants.

Your own green world can be any size. For single small plants you can use an old mayonnaise jar, a larger gallon-size pickle or candy jar, or even fish bowls and aquariums. Make sure the container you choose is big enough to give your plant(s) room to grow. And, whatever container you choose, be sure it is clear, watertight and-if you plan on enclosing it--can be fitted with a tight, clear lid. Clean it thoroughly with soapy water.

In open terrariums, you can grow just about any kind of plant. Cacti are particularly fun to grow in open terrariums, and you can even add tarantulas, lizards and other neat creatures to make it really cool. (If you do, your terrarium technically becomes a vivarium, an enclosure for plants and animals.) Whatever you call it, make sure you put a screen over the top to keep the critters from exploring your bedroom.

An enclosed terrarium provides a home for plants that's kind of like a tropical rain forest or jungle. It's warm and very humid. So, naturally, the plants that will do best are those that are native to that kind of climate. Of course you probably won't be able to fit a banana tree into your mayonnaise jar or other container, but there are lots of smaller common houseplants that originally came from those kinds of places. Two plants that are fun to grow in enclosed terrariums are Venus Flytraps and Pitcher Plants. Both are carnivorous plants, meaning they feed on insects. You don't have to feed them bugs, though. They'll do fine in a bug-free terrarium.

Other popular plants for terrariums are:

Ask someone at your local floral shop or garden center about these or other plants that will grow well in your terrarium. If your terrarium is big enough for more than one plant, look for varieties that vary in leaf size, shape, color, and texture. Also, make sure they all have similar cultural requirements (light, moisture, temperature).

Okay, ready to plant your terrarium? Start by putting a layer (1/2"-11/2" depending upon size of container) of Schultz Polished River Stones, aquarium gravel or other clean, sterilized gravel in the bottom of your container. This will allow your soil to drain well.

Add a thin layer of Schultz® Horticultural Charcoal to prevent odors in your terrarium. Lay a piece of nylon stocking (don't cut up Mom's stockings without asking!) or other synthetic material across the charcoal to prevent soil from settling through the gaps in the charcoal and stones.

Finally, add 2-4" of potting mix like Schultz® All Purpose Potting Soil Plus™ . Don't use soil from the yard or garden. It might contain insects, fungi and other things that will injure or kill your plants.

Now it is time to plant! Form a hole in the soil with your finger. Carefully remove your plant from its container. Don't pull the plant out by the stem. Instead, put your fingers on either side of the stem at the base, hold the plant container upside down and gently tap the bottom until the root ball slides out.

Position the plant in the hole so its base will rest at about the same level it was in its old pot. If you are planting more than one plant, put taller ones in the back (or center, if your terrarium will be seen from all sides) and shorter ones in the front (or around the sides). To make your terrarium look more natural, add some Schultz® Green Moss™, little pieces of driftwood, or some scattered Schultz Polished River Stones or other decorative rock.

Finally, before putting the top on, you should water the soil so it is evenly moist, but not soggy.

Open terrariums can-duh!--be left open, or, if they contain creepy-crawlies, covered with a screen material. For enclosed terrariums, cover jar openings with clear cellophane wrap and secure it with a canning ring or rubber band. Cookie jars frequently have their own glass lid. If not, the cellophane/rubber band routine works for them, too!

For larger fish tanks and aquariums, use a piece of acrylic plastic cut to the approximate size of the opening. If it doesn't lay flat, secure the edges with strips of masking or duct tape. Don't wrap it all the way around the tank. It will look ugly and be a pain to remove. It doesn't have to be completely airtight. Just make sure it's snug enough to keep most of the moisture inside.

Watering

Your terrarium, especially an enclosed one, will need very little care. Once the top is in place, moisture droplets will form on the sides and top as condensation takes place, then drop back to the soil in an ongoing cycle similar to the earth's evaporation and precipitation cycles. If this condensation is not taking place, remove the lid and add a little more water with a mist spray bottle. If your terrarium is fogging up with too much condensation, remove the lid and let it dry out for a day.

For open terrariums, check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger in the soil. (Watch out for that tarantula!) If the soil feels dry and warm, add water. If it is cool and moist, let it be.

You will want to give your plants sufficient light according to the instructions that came with the plant or were given at the store where they were purchased. This may be from artificial lights or a nearby window. Even plants that like a lot of light, though, will become like steamed vegetables if exposed to direct sunlight in an enclosed terrarium. Indirect sunlight from a northeast or north window will be sufficient for most plants.

If you used Schultz® All Purpose Potting Soil Plus™ , which contains a time-release plant food, you probably won't need to add more fertilizer. The more you fertilize, the faster the plant will grow, and the sooner it will outgrow you terrarium. If leaves start to yellow after a while you can either replace a little bit of the soil with fresh Potting Soil Plus, or add some Schultz® Liquid Plant Food Plus™ at a rate of 1/4 to 1/2 that recommended on the label.

That's all there is to it! We hope you enjoy your terrarium project. Write to us at gardener@schultz.com and let us know how you did.