November Sustainable DIY: Glass Bottle Terrarium 

Supplies:  

• A clear container (extra points if it is one you are re-using! we also recommend checking the thrift store for options.) 
• Pebbles or small rocks 
• Charcoal (activated charcoal, horticultural charcoal, or lump charcoal will all work as long as the product does not contain any additives) 
• Potting soil 
• Décor (wood, rocks, or other decorations) 
• Plants (more on this later!) 
• Planting tools (a spoon, long-handle tweezers, chopsticks—whatever works for you) 

Step 1: Pick and clean your glass bottle or jar of choice, making sure it has a lid with a tight seal. The seal ensures that the condensation will remain trapped in the bottle, creating a humid environment for plants to flourish in. This also makes it self-sustaining, as it replicates all the natural cycles necessary for a thriving ecosystem in a closed environment.   

(If your bottle doesn’t have a lid, the seal can be replicated in other ways, such as with old fishing weights, marbles, or anything else that will rest at the top as shown in the picture).  

Step 2: Add a 1-inch layer of pebbles/small stones to the bottom of the glass jar. This will help with drainage and prevent your soil from becoming waterlogged.  

Step 3: Add chunks of charcoal to the stone or cover it with a 1/8-inch-deep layer of crushed charcoal to cover the pebbles. This helps with filtration and any odors. 

Step 4: Next, add a few inches of potting soil to the container.  

Step 5: Now comes the fun part—design your miniature ecosystem! Soil can be molded into hills and valleys to add depth to the landscape, or rocks and small pieces of bark can be added to create a natural looking setting.  

Step 6: Time to plant! Small native plants and moss from outside can be carefully transported into your terrarium. Watch the highlighted section of this YouTube video for more tips on which plants to select in your area and how to properly harvest/transport them. Alternatively, terrarium plants can be purchased from your local nursery. Plants can then be nestled into the soil so that all their roots are covered.  

Tip: If your bottle has a narrow opening, try using long tweezers or chopsticks to place/adjust all your plants inside the terrarium.  

Step 7: Finally, place your terrarium in a well-lit room or windowsill and use a spray bottle to mist the inside before sealing. A proper terrarium can go months or even years without being watered if it goes through its natural cycles properly. A properly watered terrarium will have minor condensation on the glass in the morning and in the evening. If you notice your terrarium glass always holds condensation, it might be overwatered, which can be remedied by opening the lid and airing out the container for a few minutes until the issue ceases. And vice versa, if you notice minimal or no condensation, try spraying your terrarium with water and monitor it until it falls into its natural cycle.  

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