| Originally known as 'Wardian Cases' You might have heard your glass terrarium referred to as a Wardian Case a time or two, but have you ever stopped to think about where that name came from? You'll appreciate the story as much as your ferns appreciate their lovely glass terrarium home! If it weren't for those darn moths and caterpillars!
Over 100 years ago, a physician by the name of Nathanial Ward had a passion for botany, and unfortunately, a hard time supporting the hobby. Living in London, a city polluted by countless factories, his beloved ferns would die quickly from poisonous fumes. Fortunately, for himself and for the future of glass terrarium lovers the world over, Dr. Ward had other interests to occupy his time: moths and caterpillars. ! |  |
Upon studying a cocoon that he had covered with a glass jar for observation and protection, Dr. Ward also noticed something else under the jar. Several plants had begun to poke their way through the soil underneath the jar, including one of his adored ferns! Unlike his the rotting ferns in his garden, this one actually looked healthy, and led Dr. Ward to believe that with the proper protection from the polluted London air, plants in the city could indeed survive. Dr. Ward pursued his astounding discovery and continued to use make-shift mini greenhouses, which he called fern cases. Today, we call them glass terrariums, or of course, Wardian Cases!
Small discovery, big impact
Since Dr. Ward's discovery in 1827, glass terrariums have had tremendous impact on the world of botany. Some of the earliest horticulturists were able to transport tropical plants across the ocean, and only because of the safety provided by glass terrariums. Obstacles such as salt air and changing climates could never have been survived without the shelter of the glass terrarium.
Soon, glass terrariums became a popular means of growing plants, and were in use by countless households across the world. By the 1860s, not a Victorian home in the United States could be found without a glass terrarium, an elegant symbol of status and prestige due to the way it had evolved as a domestic necessity. By this time, terrariums were ornately cut from the finest glass into decorative styled cases of beautiful colors and lavish designs.
Beautiful and practical
Today, glass terrariums have become more practical and less flashy than they were in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Less of a status symbol, however, glass terrariums prove to be extremely useful in keeping plants healthy and alive. With the dry air of heated and air-conditioned homes, glass terrariums allow for a clean and humid environment that keeps your plants growing year after year. Thanks Dr. Ward!
