Terrariums have become increasingly more popular over the years and given how incredible they look, we can’t say we are surprised. They come in all kind of shapes and sizes and with an abundance of different plant life, so it’s easy to see why they are so appealing. While some require no maintenance whatsoever, some of them do require keeping a close eye on moisture levels. If you’ve always wanted to own a terrarium but aren’t sure where to start (or if you have a less than green thumb), keep reading to go over all the different terrarium types and what they require. 

Artificial Terrariums

These types of terrariums are perfect for the chronic under-waterer and that’s because they don’t require watering at all. Artificial terrariums either contain realistic looking fake plants or preserved moss, and neither of these require any special treatment other than to keep them out of direct sunlight. Not only do these look wonderful, but you won’t have to worry about keeping the moisture levels just right. 

Two Fish & me has a vast selection of preserved moss terrariums to choose from. All of them are made with sustainably sourced mosses that were once living and have been treated in order to maintain the vibrancy and texture. While some still have their natural colouring, others have received colour enhancement. Two Fish & me’s terrariums come in a DIY kit, packed carefully with clear and concise instructions on how to set up the terrarium. 

Two Fish & me’s terrarium kits come with different themes, such as Spring, with colours that evoke the presence of the season. Others, such as Crystal Collection, allow you to add your choice of crystal chips to the terrarium in order to give it a unique appearance, as well as benefit from the different aspects of the crystals. 

So, to recap:

• Preserved moss terrariums require no watering whatsoever
• They can be placed anywhere, as long as it's not in direct sunlight
• They can be enhanced with crystals or other small decorations as you see fit

If you or someone you know is interested in owning terrariums but struggle to keep plants alive (or simply don’t have the time to devote to watering/caring for plants), the terrariums like the ones Two Fish & me make are the perfect choice!

Open Terrariums

Open terrariums have skyrocketed in popularity lately, likely owing to how great they look and how easy they are to take care of. “Succulents thrive on neglect” is a popular saying, and it’s exactly why they work so wonderfully in an open terrarium design.

An open terrarium is usually made in a deep bowl or a dish that is exposed to the open air. A good example of this is the DIY Succulent Terrarium Kit With Live Plants by Bloominbee, which includes everything you will need such as a round glass bowl, potting mix, decorative elements, and the succulent plants. The easy-to-follow instructions will guide you through assembling your very own open succulent terrarium, and the included care tips will help you ensure your succulents thrive in their new environment!

A quick overview of open terrariums:

• Usually made with live, low maintenance plants (succulents)
• Require a bit of time to assemble correctly
• Do require watering every now and then

This kind of terrarium is a great choice for the beginner gardener or for someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to devote to looking after plants, as succulents don’t require a lot of attention. 

Closed Terrariums

Closed terrariums are breathtaking to behold, but require a bit of knowledge and expertise to maintain. Because they are a self-sustaining landscape in miniature, they basically have their own rain cycle. Once that cycle is established, they require very little attention. However, getting them to that point does require some work. In addition, closed terrariums are more limited in what kind of containers and plants you can have in comparison to open terrariums. Closed terrariums would be a perfect project for someone with an experienced green thumb who isn’t afraid to experiment!

Due to the high humidity within a closed terrarium, tropical plants are the most popular choice. This includes ferns, mosses, and epiphytes (plants that don’t grow in soil). While these plants can be more challenging to care for, they make closed terrariums a truly incredible viewing experience!

Which Terrarium is Right For You?

The good news is that anyone can own a terrarium! It all depends on what you're comfortable with in terms of care and watering. If the answer is very little, your best terrarium choice would be a preserved moss terrarium. If you're all right with having to water from time to time, an open terrarium would do just fine. And if you're an experienced green thumb, why not try a challenge by setting up your very own closed terrarium?