What Plants Should You Choose For Your Ideal Garden Terrarium? 

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What Plants Are Ideal For Garden Terrarium? Terrarium Basics 
Although terrariums can contain a variety of plants, animals and insects, most people's first terrarium is made with plants only. Naturally, this begs the question: which plants are best for the first time making a terrarium?

Terrariums provide many advantages for growing plants. Your plants will experience stable growth conditions: more constant humidity, lower temperature variation, and many plants, of course, renew their soil and atmosphere. As a terrarium is a closed space, it does not require much water. Terrarium plants absorb moisture from the soil, and then, in turn, release water into the air through a process called transpiration. The water vapor is collected by the walls of the terrarium container and is subsequently delivered back to the roots of plants. Also, your nosy pets can't mess with your plants if they are in a terrarium!

You'll want to select plants that thrive in moist environments and remain small enough to fit in your terrarium. You can buy specialty dwarf plants at nurseries, garden stores, or you can buy miniature plants online. Ferns, mosses and lichens are excellent choices as well.  These plants can live for a long time with minimal care, and do not pose a threat of overgrowing and taking over your terrarium.  You might want to mix these ground-covering plants with succulents such as Oakleaf creeping fig, butterword, pitcher plants or Swedish ivy.  Avoid plants with fuzzy leaves or lots of leaves close to each other, as they can retain water above the soil and begin to rot.  If a desert-themed terrarium is something you'd like, cacti come in many varieties and survive well in terrariums.

Lastly, remember to sufficiently to cover your soil to make sure the moisture stays there.  Sphagnum moss, mulch and sand are essential. Place some charcoal at the bottom of your terrarium to soak up extra moisture, as well.

Although it may seem difficult to choose the right plants for your terrarium, the results are totally worth it. No matter what the conditions may be outside your home and no matter where you live, your terrarium will be a calming oasis, your own small slice of nature. If you'd like more tips and tricks on creating terrariums, or to see a gallery of terrarium creations, visit makeaterrarium.com