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Open Terrariums

The quickest way to develop a green thumb

Some years back I read a short story about a scientist who, intrigued by a beautiful, rare plant from the dark mysterious jungles of Africa, brought it back with him to England. Unsure if the plant would survive, he planted it in a large, open terrarium and placed it on his office desk. As the plant grew larger, the scientist learned its shocking secret. His favorite plant was carnivorous! After a mishap involving the scientist's pet dog, he decided to take the plant back to the African jungle. But on the morning of their departure, the elderly scientist mysteriously disappeared from his office, never to be found again!

Plant it, water it, forget about it!

But in real life, plants growing in an open terrarium are hardly sinister. In the United States, terrarium culture started in New England, where housewives grew partridge berry in hand-blown glass bowls. An attractive way to grow and display plants in your home, an open terrarium is easy to maintain because it doesn't require much watering.

The simple charm of an open terrarium

A clear glass or plastic container with an uncovered opening at the top can be used as an open terrarium. This container should have high sides and be at least as tall as the plants contained. An open terrarium can be used to grow plants that don't require high humidity to thrive. Even though an open terrarium doesn't retain as much moisture as an enclosed terrarium and requires more frequent watering, it minimizes the chance of plant diseases.

Is it the right light?

An open terrarium should not receive direct sunlight as it will cause heat buildup that will injure most plants. Most plants suitable for terrariums don't require extremely bright light, but do well in good light.

• If the terrarium is to be located where there is very low light, place a 100-watt bulb or fluorescent tubes close to the terrarium.

Plants receiving light from a window will gradually face that direction. To keep the terrarium attractive from the desired view, turn it occasionally to keep the plants growing normally.

Plants that thrive in an open terrarium:

• Ivy
• Pepperomia
• Dwarf natal plum
• Dwarf pomegranate
• Earth stars
• Piggy-back plant
• Pigmy cactus
• Sweet olive