Terrariums 101

Or, how to neglect plants and be rewarded for it!

Accident! That's how the modern terrarium as we know it was discovered. Even though the Greeks grew and displayed plants in closed, transparent containers as early as 500 B.C., it was in 1827 that Dr. Nathaniel Ward, a London physician with a passion for botany, found out the scientific principle behind the terrarium.

These Wardian cases are everywhere! While studying a sphinx moth emerging from a cocoon buried in moist earth, Dr. Ward discovered tiny ferns and grass growing in the soil in the jar. To his surprise, these plants continued to grow inside the covered container for four years without any water. Dr. Ward's extensive research on this topic made terrariums, or Wardian Cases, as they were called in those days, popular as decorative household displays. Oops! I forgot to water the plants again A plant terrarium is actually a miniature, self-sustained environment in itself. Because terrariums recycle thier moisture, they need very little attention and care. The most remarkable point is that plants growing inside the terrarium don't require watering for long periods of time and can thrive for years without it.

Meet the rain maker

It is incredible how a terrarium creates a microcosmic eco-system inside an ordinary container. Moisture evaporates from the soil and plant leaves and condenses on the terrarium's roof and walls. The condensed water then drops down and re-moistens the soil, replicating the natural rain cycle that keeps the world going.

A terrarium will do wonders for my home

If you have an empty fish bowl, fish tank, or old glass jars or bottles in your home, you can turn create a terrarium easily. Or, you can also get a specially designed, decorative terrarium to suit your decor. Containers made of clear glass or plastic are the best for plants, as tinted or cloudy surfaces reduce light transmittance and interfere with plant growth. A closed terrarium retains more moisture while an open one requires more frequent watering but is less prone to disease.