Menu
0
0

Your Cart is Empty

Collections
  • Apothecary
  • Art & Objects
  • Homeware
  • Furniture
  • Kitchen
  • Materials
  • Design Inspiration
  • Gift Cards
    • Terrariums & Plants
  • Terrariums
  • Plants
  • Living Frames
  • Pots
    • Workshops
  • Workshops

    • Terrarium Care Guide

    Botanical Boys Plant Care · London
    The Botanical Boys Guide

    Closed Terrarium Care

    Your terrarium is a small, self-sustaining world. Once it settles it asks very little of you — but the first couple of months, the settling-in period, are where a little attention makes all the difference.

    A closed terrarium settled into a warm, plant-filled living room
    Light
    Bright, indirect light — never direct sun on the glass
    Temperature
    A steady 19–21°C room temperature
    Watering
    Rarely — observe before you ever water
    Condensation
    A light mist is healthy; foggy means air it out
    Care fundamentals

    The Essentials

    Three things to keep a gentle eye on. Get these right and your terrarium will mostly look after itself.

    01

    Lighting & Temperature

    Every home is different. Terrariums do best in a bright room with plenty of natural light — but keep them out of direct sun on the glass. Direct sunlight overheats the inside, causes heavy condensation, and stresses the plants. A normal room temperature of around 19–21°C is ideal.

    02

    Condensation

    Your terrarium recycles its own moisture: the mosses and substrate hold water and release it through a natural humidity cycle, which is why we don’t add extra water when we build them. A little condensation on the glass is normal and healthy. If it’s so foggy you can’t see the plants, there’s slightly too much moisture — lift the lid for a couple of hours, then close it again. Aim for a faint mist, never soaking wet. In a very dry home, air it far less often.

    03

    Watering

    A terrarium has no fixed schedule like a potted houseplant — it’s all about observation. The free-draining soil should never be wet. If leaves start to wilt and the moss turns pale, open the lid and feel the soil; if it’s dry, give a small drink. Use a spray jet, pipette or syringe and water at the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves. Replace the lid and watch over the next few days. Most of our terrariums need watering only a couple of times a year.

    Spot it, fix it

    Troubleshooting

    White fungi in a terrarium

    White spores like these are usually harmless saprophytic fungi — a normal part of a humid, enclosed ecosystem. The golden rule for everything below: observe daily, and act in small steps before anything gets worse.

    White mould or fungus on the soil
    Usually harmless saprophytic fungi — a natural part of a humid ecosystem that breaks down organic matter.
    What to do
    Air the terrarium a few hours a day for a few days, scoop out the white patches with tweezers or a spoon, and check you aren’t overwatering. A light sprinkle of ground cinnamon is a natural antifungal if it persists. Add springtails which naturally reduce mould and recycle organic matter
    Fungus gnats (small flies)
    Tiny eggs that hatch deep in the soil — common in houseplants.
    What to do
    Sprinkle organic gnat powder just under the top layer of soil, and use sticky traps to bring the population down.
    White fluff on the leaves
    Mould from airborne spores or too much humidity.
    What to do
    Open the lid and wipe the mould off early. Prune any leaf that’s already damaged so it doesn’t rot. Then leave the lid off a couple of hours for air to circulate — but not so long the plants dry out.
    Mushrooms growing inside
    A sign of rich soil and a healthy, thriving ecosystem.
    What to do
    Leave them be — they naturally die off within a couple of weeks. No action needed as long as your plants look healthy.
    Plants growing too tall
    Healthy growth reaching for more space.
    What to do
    Open the lid and prune the stem just below a node (where a leaf joins the stem), a couple of leaves down, to encourage fuller growth.
    White spots on a bonsai trunk
    Small specks of surface mould.
    What to do
    Open the lid for a few hours to air out, and wipe the spots off the trunk with a clean cloth.
    Plants look weepy, dry & pale
    The terrarium needs a drink — more often if the lid seal is loose.
    What to do
    Test the soil with your finger. If it’s dry, water the base with about 2–3 tablespoons of filtered water (tap is fine, but may leave scale marks on the glass over time).
    Freshly built & settling in
    A new terrarium needs time to find its balance.
    What to do
    Be patient through the first few weeks — observe daily and make small adjustments. Not every terrarium is guaranteed, but most settle into a self-sustaining cycle.
    Who lives here

    Plant Directory

    A few of the humidity-loving plants we use. Not a full list — but a good sense of the cast.

    Fittonia

    Fittonia

    “Nerve Plant” · South American jungles

    Colourful, nerve-like veined leaves. Loves dappled shade and moisture — but never wet.

    Bun Moss

    Bun Moss

    Cushion moss · Woodland floors

    Hill-shaped cushions of true green. Keep moist — its moisture feeds the whole terrarium. Trim any brown bits.

    Chamaedorea

    Chamaedorea

    “ground gift” · Parlour Palm · Subtropical & tropical

    A tropical look and feel. Enjoys high humidity but not soaking wet; prune occasionally as it grows tall.

    Ficus Ginseng

    Ficus Ginseng

    Ginseng fig tree · Africa & Asia

    A little tree that loves humidity and rarely needs water. Snip bushy stems to shape — a milky latex seals the cut.

    Polyscias

    Polyscias

    “many shade” · South Pacific

    A woodland-feel tree that tolerates shade well. Likes humidity, needs little water; prune back if it gets too tall.

    Pilea

    Pilea

    “Friendship Plant” · South America

    Tropical, humidity-loving and easy-going. If it trails too far, simply prune it back.

    Plant photographs sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY / CC BY-SA). Swap in your own product photos any time.

    Once a year

    Annual Care

    • ✓Clear out any dead leaves and give it a general tidy.
    • ✓Replace any plants or mosses that haven’t made it — though good daily observation should keep this rare.
    • ✓Clean larger decorative stones if green algae appears.
    Need a hand?

    Terrarium A&E

    Our plant-care and design service. After your 30-day guarantee we can replace a single plant or fully redesign your terrarium — whatever it needs to thrive.

    Email for a quote

    Every purchase includes a 30-day guarantee with free replacement plants if needed. Botanical Boys cannot guarantee plant lifespan and is not responsible for a terrarium once it leaves our store; this guide reflects our own experience and research. Enjoy your beautiful terrarium garden. Plant photographs sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY / CC BY-SA). Swap in your own product photos any time.