Portable Mini Plant Terrarium

DianaHM
Silver Answer Medal for All Time! 440 Answers

The completed terrarium. If you have a desire to carry your favorite plant with you, then this portable terrarium is for you. I have come up with a very convenient and easy-to-make terrarium. All you need are two jars with lids and wire. I used copper wire from an old transformer.

The glass dome protects the aboveground part of the plant from damage and can be easily removed (unscrewed). When assembled, the container is sealed and you can not be afraid to get your things dirty while carrying this terrarium.

Total Time: 1.5 Hours

Supplies:

2 jars (I used 250 ml and 430 ml jars)
2 metallic lids (I used not detachable lids)
compass or a round jar with a diameter of 4 cm
hole saw or chisel
hammer
file
drill or nail
hot glue
small bolts and nuts
piece of non-woven fabric sticks
wire
wire cutters
scissors
ruler
pencil
Decorative stones
Expanded clay, soil, plants, water and a tea spoon to fill the terrarium

Steps:

Draw 4 cm circles in the center of the lids. Cut out the circle. I only had a narrow chisel at hand, so I used the chisel. Sand the edges.

Marking the inner circle on the jar lid.

Make two small holes for the bolts (see photo). You can drill them or use a nail. Sand edges.

Glue the two lids top to top. The holes must match.

Insert the bolts into the holes and tighten the nuts (see photo). Two lids will be connected.

Attaching the two painted metal lids together.

Place a 1.5 cm layer of the expanded clay inside the small jar - lower part of the terrarium container. You can mix the expanded clay with a generous handful of charcoal to prevent the soil from developing a sour smell.

To prevent the soil from seeping down into the expanded clay and will be a good way to remove the excess of water, you can spread peat moss over the charcoal layer (optional).

Add potting soil and gently tap it to remove air pockets and smooth the surface. Use a soil suitable for the plants. Screw the connected lids.

Using the teaspoon dig small holes in the potting soil where you will put the plants. Snuggle the plant into the hole you dug previously and surround it with potting soil by tapping gently. Do the same with the other plants you plan to add.

Lightly water your plants keeping in mind that overwatering can cause the plant rotting or suffocating since there is no drainage hole.

You may already use your terrarium. Gently screw on the second jar - the upper part of the terrarium container, that will protect your plants from damage and keep the terrarium airtight. But to make wearing this terrarium comfortable, follow next steps.

A jade plant being planted in the terrarium.

Cut pieces of non-woven fabric and glue them around the plant stem/stems.
Glue decorative stones to hide the fabric.

Cut 6 pieces of wire. Braid 2 braids using three pieces of wire. Join the ends on one side of the braids and continue to braid using 6 pieces of wire: move the wire pieces along the edges one by one to the middle (see photo).

Join the ends on the opposite side of the braids around the connected lids and continue to braid using 6 pieces of wire (see photo).

Separate the wires in half (3 and 3) and braid around the upper jar of the terrarium container using three wires around one side of the jar and using other three wires on the other side of the jar (see photo). Connect the ends of the braids around the jar.

Braid the handle using 12 pieces of wire: move the wire pieces along the edges one by one to the middle. Make the handle long enough to unscrew and remove the jar (see photo).

Cut off the ends of the wires and fix the end of the handle.

Unscrew the upper part of the terrarium container periodically to give your plants some fresh air.

Keep the soil moist. This is not difficult to do as the bottom of the terrarium is transparent and you can notice when the soil is dry. Water through the hole in the connected lids.