Terrarium Construction Handbook: Leading Plants, Concepts, and Detailed Instructions for Build Successfully
A jarrarium is an inventive constructed landscape housed in a glass container, designed by its creator. This could be a cute little jar aquarium or a mini terrarium, as long as it is a handmade creation that supports life.
This guide will lead you through the creation of your very own breathtaking jar jungle! From plants and setup to inspiration and resources, we've got you covered. Let's dive in!
So, What Exactly is a Jarrarium?
Simply put, a jarrarium is an unofficial name for any type of vivarium in a jar. There are no hard and fast rules for this exotic term, as it's not officially defined or recognized. Nonetheless, a vibrant Reddit community has adopted it, so that's verification enough for us!
The consensus among enthusiasts is that smaller, DIY-made jars qualify as jarrariums, regardless of whether they resemble aquarium-style or terrarium-style setups.
Step-by-Step Jarrarium Creation Guide
Although the setup process can vary depending on jar size and chosen plants, these guidelines will get you started.
- Choose the Right Jar - Choose a clean jar and make sure it's free of unwanted pests, microorganisms, and harmful chemicals. Giving it a good scrub with soap and water should suffice.
- Select Your Substrate - A little fluffy tropical soil mix should do the trick for most jarrariums. If you prefer a more dramatic look, you can shape your substrate into a slope. For larger builds, consider adding a layer of leca balls or gravel first as a drainage layer.
- Moss Time - Cover the jar surface with your chosen moss (e.g., Cushion Moss or Mood Moss). Remove the brown fibrous underside, trim it as much as possible without the moss falling apart, and gently break the moss into clumps. Angle the brown underside away from the glass so the green side faces the viewer.
- Planting - Pop your chosen plants into the jar (e.g., Pilea glauca, Hart's-tongue Thyme-moss, etc.). Some plants, like those with complex root systems, might require planting before adding the moss. For plants like Pilea glauca, simply cut off a few strands, place them where you want them, and watch them root themselves in the humid environment without needing any planting.
Top Jarrarium Plants
When selecting plants for your jarrarium, focus on species that thrive in closed, humid environments (tropical plants) and have compact growth habits. Visit our Terrarium Plant Index and our miniature terrarium plant list for inspiration.
Maintaining Your Jarrarium
- Light - Consider indirect, bright light for your jarrarium. Plenty of sunlight, but no direct rays. If natural light isn't an option, you can use grow lights.
- Watering - Since it's a closed environment, watering can be tricky. Use a spray bottle to moisten the moss and avoid overwatering. Aim for a few sprays at a time, enough to keep the moss damp, but not soggy.
Creating a Self-sustaining Jarrarium
To take your jarrarium to the next level, make it self-sustaining by introducing nature's cleanup crew. Springtails and isopods eat decaying plant matter, fungi, and other organic debris, keeping your mini-ecosystem clean.
Time to Get Creative!
Now that you've learned the basics, it's your turn to design a jarrarium that speaks to your creativity! Share your thoughts, ask questions, and join our Facebook group for support. Happy jarrarium-making!
- To make your home-and-garden project even more astonishing, consider adding garden plants like Pilea glauca, Hart's-tongue Thyme-moss, or others from the Terrarium Plant Index, to your jarrarium, blurring the lines between a typical terrarium and a home-grown lifestyle dream.
- For a unique blend of houseplant and garden, you can employ your gardening skills to design a jarrarium that incorporates various home-and-garden elements, such as adding a substrate layer of leca balls or gravel, and then planting your chosen plants, resulting in a dynamic and self-sustaining mini jungle right at home.
