How to Maintain a Terrarium or Ecosystem – The Complete Guide to Carefree Greenery in Glass
A terrarium or closed ecosystem is not only a beautiful decorative piece but also one of the easiest ways to bring greenery into your home. However, every terrarium—whether open, closed, or semi-terrarium—requires its own specific maintenance requirements. The good news: with a few simple guidelines, your terrarium will remain usable, beautiful, and healthy.
What is a terrarium?
The answer is quite simple. A terrarium is a glass vase or bottle containing plants. There are various types of terrariums: open terrariums, closed terrariums, and semi-terrariums.
A closed terrarium is also called an ecosystem. It's sealed and self-sufficient, providing food and water. You don't need to open it.
An open terrarium is a terrarium that can accommodate any plant. It does require regular care, however.
A semi-terrarium is a terrarium that, with the right plants, can be treated almost like a closed terrarium, or if you leave it open, it is an open terrarium.
What is an ecosystem? (closed terrarium)
A closed terrarium ecosystem functions like a miniature ecosystem. Just like in the real world: warm air rises, and in the terrarium, the moisture evaporates. When warm air rises, you get clouds here on Earth. In the ecosystem, you get water on the glass, which we call condensation. Clouds produce rain. In the ecosystem, this rain drips back into the soil. This has advantages, but there can also be disadvantages. In most cases, it's just like on Earth: a miniature world, a self-sufficient plant terrarium.
Ecosystem advantage:you no longer need to water the terrarium; simply cork the terrarium on the indicated date. Let nature do its work.
Disadvantage of the ecosystem:you never know what nature is up to. In small cases, plants can die. You can solve this by adding a new plant to the terrarium. When a plant dies, we call it compost. This strengthens the other plants with nutrients. You could see it as a disadvantage, but we see it as strengthening the other plants. Just as nature intended.
What should you pay attention to when caring for a closed terrarium/ecosystem?
Light
Place the terrarium in a bright spot, but out of direct sunlight. Too much sun will cause overheating and burn plants.
Water
A healthy ecosystem has sufficient moisture in the soil.
Do you see a little condensation? Then it's perfectly balanced.
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Too much condensation? Open the terrarium for a few hours.
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No condensation and dry soil? Then a little water is needed.
Pruning plants in your closed terrarium/ecosystem
Is a plant growing against the glass or a bit too enthusiastically? Then you can prune it back carefully. Don't do this too often; once every six months is more than enough.
mold formation in your closed terrarium/ecosystem
Sometimes a white film of mold can appear on the terrarium floor. This is normal and harmless, and is part of the natural ecosystem. In some cases, mold can also appear on the plants. This isn't dangerous, but it is usually a sign of excessive moisture. Carefully remove any mold from the plants with tweezers or small scissors. Then, air out the terrarium temporarily to allow excess moisture to evaporate and restore the ecosystem's balance. This helps reduce mold growth.
Flies in your closed terrarium/ecosystem
Flies are often hidden in the soil or in natural materials. When it gets warmer, the eggs hatch, and you'll see tiny flies around the terrarium. Fortunately, this is easy to solve.
Leave the glass open for a few hours to allow the top layer to dry. Then sprinkle a thin layer of sand over the soil; this will prevent flies from laying new eggs. You can also use a small adhesive strip for terrariums.
After a short time the flies disappear by themselves, especially when the sand seals the top layer and the terrarium can even be ventilated.
Why an ecosystem?
When you choose an ecosystem, you're choosing nature and design. A true mini-jungle in your home. You see how the natural world works in your home or office.
What is an open terrarium?
An open terrarium offers a wide variety of plants in glass. It's amazing how beautiful and versatile an open terrarium is. You can create various terrariums with different types of plants, such as an orchid terrarium or a cactus terrarium. The versatility of real plants in glass does require some care: some water and love. Yet, maintenance remains simple.
Advantage of an open terrarium:the versatility of the plant choice
Disadvantage of an open terrarium:it requires some maintenance.
What should you pay attention to when caring for your open terrarium?
Watering
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Plants such as ferns and moss like slightly moist soil.
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Cacti and succulents need little water.
Always check the soil before watering. Feel the soil with your fingers. If you're a bit more experienced, you can tell by the color of the soil:
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Gray-brown = no water
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Brown = slightly moist
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Dark brown = water
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Very dark brown = too much water
Light in an open terrarium
Provide sufficient daylight, but avoid direct sunlight – especially with glass balls and vases, which can be powerful magnifying glasses.
Pruning in an open terrarium
Plants can grow freely, but cut away long or spreading branches to maintain a beautifully designed terrarium.
Algae or mold in your open terrarium
Sometimes a white film of mold appears on the substrate. This is normal and harmless. Carefully remove the mold with tweezers and even air out the terrarium.
Flies open terrarium
Same as above: leave the glass open, sprinkle a thin layer of subsoil sand, which will create a sticky strip, and the flies will disappear by themselves.
Why an open terrarium?
Are you looking for the versatility of an open terrarium? You can enjoy yours for a long time. With a little care, you can enjoy a beautiful design in a functional way. Whether you choose an orchid (which will bloom, but then you can enjoy the surrounding greenery), or a cactus terrarium (which requires little care), you can enjoy beautiful design in glass.
What is a semi-terrarium?
A semi-terrarium can't be kept as a closed terrarium because you'll need to water it after a few months or sometimes a year. It's not quite an open terrarium, because you'll need to water less frequently if you keep it closed often. A semi-terrarium can be planted with any plants; you can often keep them closed for months, even years, without watering them. This is because it functions as a closed ecosystem. If you have succulents or flowering plants in your semi-terrarium, you'll need to open it occasionally to prevent root rot.
Tips for maintaining green plants in a semi-terrarium
Green plants in a semi-terrarium require little maintenance, as long as there's a good balance of light, water, and air. For green plants such as Fittonia, Calathea, ferns, Pilea, or moss, you can treat a semi-terrarium much the same as a closed terrarium. Keep the semi-terrarium closed as much as possible, as this creates a stable microclimate. In that case, you usually only need to water once every three to four months. Feel the soil or moss; if it's moist, you don't need to water. If it feels dry, give a small amount of water. If you see a lot of condensation on all sides of the glass for two days in a row after watering, open the terrarium for one or two days to allow the excess moisture to evaporate. This prevents the soil from staying too wet and helps prevent root rot in the plants.
Tips for maintaining succulents in a semi-terrarium
Succulents in a semi-terrarium require different care than green plants, as they are naturally accustomed to drier conditions. It's important not to keep the semi-terrarium completely closed. Leave the glass open regularly to allow moisture to escape and keep the air dry. A semi-terrarium with succulents can even be left permanently open. Water succulents sparingly. In most cases, once every four to five weeks is sufficient, depending on the temperature and location. Always check the soil first; it should feel completely dry before watering again. Too much water remains in a glass terrarium for longer and increases the risk of root rot.
Tips for maintaining flowering plants in a semi-terrarium
Flowering plants in a semi-terrarium require a little more attention than greenery or succulents, as they need energy to develop and maintain flowers. It's important to place the terrarium in a bright spot, but out of direct sunlight, so the flowers don't burn. Monitor the humidity: a semi-terrarium can remain partially closed, but open it at least three times a week, ensuring fresh air can circulate occasionally to prevent mold. Water sparingly and adjust to the plants' moisture needs. Check the soil regularly; if it feels dry, give a small amount of water. Too much water can cause root rot, while too little water causes the flowers to wilt. Remove wilted flowers and leaves immediately so the plant can focus its energy on new blooms.
General tips for every terrarium
• Touch the glass inside as little as possible – fingerprints remain visible for a long time.
• Use rainwater or slightly boiled water to prevent limescale stains.
• Do not place the terrarium near a heater – this will dry it out faster.
Maintaining a terrarium? It's child's play.
Whether you have an open terrarium, a self-sufficient ecosystem, or a semi-terrarium, care is surprisingly simple. A little light, occasional ventilation, a splash of water, and above all… let it go.
With minimal attention, you can independently enjoy a living work of art in glass.
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