What is the difference between a closed and open terrarium?
A closed terrarium has a lid, and thus all moisture is contained in a system of evaporation and condensation, creating its own ecosystem through hydroponic stones that soak up excess water, natural filtration through the soil, and sunlight. This creates a stable humid environment for moisture-loving plants. Comparatively, open containers are subject to the outside air and dry out more quickly. However, these are often preferred when including crystals or ornaments that might deteriorate in a moist environment, or when using plants that thrive better under dry conditions.
Do closed terrariums need lots of maintenance?
Once a closed system is established it needs very little water and is practically self-sustaining. It’s not unusual for a healthy terrarium to go without fresh water for months at a time. However, a non-bioactive terrarium – meaning it doesn’t contain any live insects to feed on any decaying matter – will need occasional pruning to ensure that plants can carry on growing and thriving. It’s normal for any healthy plants to occasionally shed old leaves. These can just be plucked out with long tweezers or chopsticks. For a completely self-sustaining ecosystem, consider adding a few springtails or isopods to the system. (As a cowardly insectophobe myself, my terrariums sadly do not come pre-bugged; all ingredients taken from nature are sanitized before inclusion).
Why has the glass on my terrarium fogged up?
A closed terrarium recirculates the water. Moisture evaporates from the drainage layer and condenses into water drops that continually fall back into the soil. Once your terrarium is balanced, you should see droplets form near the top of the container. While a little moisture on the glass is a sign that the system is succeeding in circulating water and keeping the plants hydrated, foggy glass indicates too much water in the system, which can eventually cause root rot in plants. This is common in new setups. The solution is to open it to let outside air flow reduce the moisture and wipe the terrarium lid with a clean cloth.
What do I do if some of my plants leaves are falling off?
As mentioned above, this is often normal and these can just be removed with tweezers. However, lots of leaves falling off around the same time can indicate an underlying problem. If the plants show signs of wilting or yellowing, check the soil to see whether it’s dry or wet. If it’s wilting in dry soil, try misting the terrarium and then closing it back up. Use tweezers to remove any decayed or decomposing vegetation as you wish. If the plants are drooping in wet soil this could be root rot. Double-check for puffy stems that signal underlying root rot, remove the affected plant, wash its roots, and prune those stems or leaves affected. You may wish to add more dry soil before repotting the plant into the terrarium.
What is stopping the terrarium from going mouldy?
A key ingredient to a successful terrarium is activated charcoal. The anti-toxin properties of charcoal will help to keep mould and mildew at bay. The cleansing properties of activated charcoal will also filter the water circulating around the terrarium and sanitize any unwanted matter.
Are the crystals going to deteriorate in a closed terrarium?
In a closed terrarium, options for crystals are deliberately limited. This is because many crystals are not water safe. Some will deteriorate or crumble, and others will release toxins that could kill plant life in the system. For example, while quartz is water-safe, malachite can be highly toxic if put in water – even touching water contaminated with it can pose a health risk. Whether crystals can be placed into a moist environment like a closed terrarium is decided by their hardness. The Mohs Hardness scale is a scale from 1-10 that determines the hardness of certain minerals by testing their resistance against scratching from other minerals; like a crystal-based battle royale. The harder the mineral, the higher the Mohs Hardness scale is. This scale is relevant when looking at crystals and their water tolerance because the softer the material, the more likely it is to be damaged by water. Crystals that fall below 5 on the Mohs scale will never be an option for a closed system. The closer to 0 they are, the more sensitive to water they usually are. Selenite, for example, is notoriously prone to dissolving.
How do you make sure they arrive safely in the post?
Unfortunately, not all terrariums are suitable for selling online due to their delicate nature. However, those that are, are sent in bubble wrap and surrounded by repurposed paper or eco-friendly packing peanuts in a double-walled cardboard box marked as fragile (along with a little free gift to say thankyou for your trust in us). They are posted first class to ensure that the plants arrive in good condition. It is worth noting that though the terrariums are unlikely to arrive in the exact same condition as in the photos (soil may have been shaken around, rocks may have shifted) all are fixable and support is available through Etsy and Instagram to troubleshoot any concerns. Should an item arrive with the glass broken, we will be more than happy to offer you either a replacement or a refund.
How much light does a terrarium need?
Closed terrariums need high amounts of light, so keep them in a well-lit room to start out and monitor how they do. Plant legginess (meaning a plant growing tall but with few leaves) indicates the terrarium needs more light. But, keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators. Both could cause its contents to overheat.
The Crystal Forest 