Terrarium Accessories

A house becomes a home only when accessories give it a character and identity of its own. From a proudly displayed Picasso to an obscure treasure unearthed in the local flea market, accessories have been used for ages to add distinctive flair to indoor and outdoor decor. While a terrarium can be a lovely accessory on its own, it can benefit from accessories, too.

Creating miniature landscapes

Adding some accessories can make your terrarium can look its best. Creating a focal point in your terrarium landscape adds depth and makes the arrangement of plants even more appealing.

• Rocks, gravel, sticks, and other natural materials are pleasing accessories that lend a designer look your terrarium.

While using ceramic figures, frogs, mushrooms, or snails can embellish your terrarium, it's better to avoid too many accessories, or those with vivid, unnatural colors. Also, make sure that any figures or statues you put in are about the same scale as the plants.

Getting some helping hands

You'll also require some tools and accessories to plant your terrarium, especially if it has a small or narrow mouth.

• Tweezers and long sticks can be used to dig holes, move items and support plants while they are being planted.
• A long, thin spoon will be helpful in placing soil and drainage material in the container.
• If a container with a very small opening is used, make a funnel from paper or aluminum foil for placing soil into the container.
• Household scissors are handy for pruning plants before they are planted.
• An atomizer or bulb-type sprayer will be useful for spraying and watering plants in the terrarium.
• A stick with a wire loop on the end is handy for lowering plants into large containers with small tops.

Keeping a close eye

Any dead leaves or rotting plants in your terrarium should be removed promptly with tweezers before the problem spreads to other plants.

If a fungus seems to be spreading from a plant through the growing medium, remove a portion of the medium in the infected area and replace it. Apply a general fungicide to reduce spread of the disease.