Nothing quite brings a living space to life like the right kinds of decor, and the most popular kinds are artwork and houseplants. A blending of the two results in two different kinds of beautiful displays: kokedama and terrariums, both of which make spectacular centerpieces and conversational points. There is a lot of history behind the art of both kokedama and terrariums, stemming from an appreciation of nature and its beauty, and learning a bit about it can further your appreciation for these lovely works of art. 

A Brief History of Terrariums

Terrariums have been around for quite a while – they were invented by an English botanist, Dr. Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward, in 1842. His initial project was a jar full of botanicals and insects, made for the purpose of observing the behaviour of those insects. In doing so he unintentionally left one of his terrarium jars unchaperoned. A fern spore within the jar grew and germinated into a plant, resulting in the very first terrarium. 

Using this newly discovered concept, Dr. Ward began to use closed terrariums (referred to then as “Wardian cases”) to export plants native to Great Britain to Australia. The plants not only survived the journey, but made it to Australia’s shores in thriving good health. He used the same method to send plants from Australia back home and they arrived in excellent condition. The conclusion he reached was that plant life sealed in a jar without ventilation could not only stay alive, but flourish because they had established their own contained ecosystem. 

Wardian cases became popular for scientific use, but as time went on they also became popular for the usage of interior design. It was through the latter that the concept of the open terrarium, also known as a “dish garden”, was realized. The origin of the open terrarium is not certain, but it is widely believed it originated in Japan. Unlike closed terrariums, dish gardens usually displayed scenes in miniature or contained small figurines for aesthetic purposes. 

Bringing Home the Beauty of Terrariums 

Terrariums have recently had a surge in popularity, which means there are a lot of options out there if you are interested in having one in your home. While closed terrariums can be a bit complicated to establish (as well as expensive), open terrariums are easier to set up and maintain. Open terrariums can be available with live plants, but there are some made from preserved moss that look just as amazing. 

Australian artisan Two fish & me has a wide selection of preserved moss terrariums to choose from. These terrariums are perfect for people who don’t have a lot of time to devote to real plants, and the mosses in them have been sustainably sourced. 

Their terrarium kits are sold in a DIY kit, which means that you get to assemble them just the way you’d like. The kits contain everything you will need, from preserved moss to glass container to accents, and the easy-to-follow instructions will make it very simple for you to put everything together. 

A Brief History of Kokedama

Kokedama is an ancient form of botanical art hailing from Japan, and the word “kokedama” translate to “moss ball.” The concept is closely tied to the art of bonsai, and it is a method of accenting the display of live plants. The container for the plant (the moss ball) is meant to be the focal point, as well as the supporting structure for the plant it contains. 

In kokedama, the root ball of a plant is encased within a ball of mud, which is then coated in soft moss. The kokedama is essentially a living planter and also a work of art. The planter itself can be suspended or displayed upon some manner of aesthetically appealing stand, such as driftwood or a glass plate. When many kokedama are suspended together, it is called a “string garden.”

Bringing Kokedama Into Your Home

Like terrariums, kokedama have experienced a recent surge in popularity. Kokedama are available with a variety of different plants, or you can choose a kit that lets you build your own and add the live plant of your choice to it. 

Green Leaf Lounge has some easy to assemble DIY Kokedama kits, one with a plant included and one without. These kits include all the necessary items for you to create your own kokedama, including the soil mixture, moss, and step by step directions. 

These kits are perfect for any kind of plant lover, and will let you create your own garden art within your own home!

A Perfect Blend of Art and Botanicals

 Both terrariums and kokedama are works of art that would feature well in any kind of home. Their varied appearances, as well as their interesting histories make them great conversational topics, and they will add a soothing, pleasant element to any room they are displayed in.