Open Terrariums for Cacti and Other Succulents
I love drought-tolerant plants! But as a flat dweller in Central London, open terrariums are about the only way I can indulge my love for these plants.
DIY Guide to Making Your Own Open Terrarium
Here’s an easy six-step guide to a Do-It-Yourself open terrarium. (Please see our DIY guide for closed terrariums if you’re interested in moisture-loving plants. Closed Terrariums.)
Materials Needed:
To make your open terrarium you’ll need the following:
- An open container or dish – ceramic or glass works best
- Pebbles and / or gravel
- Activated charcoal – optional, but helps drainage.
- Cactus and succulent soil – available from most nurseries and garden centres has more sand and grit to aid drainage
- Small drought tolerant plants cacti and other succulents are ideal. I selected, a small cactus and several Sempervivum (Houseleeks).
Step 1. Place a 1/2-inch to 1-inch layer of pebbles / gravel on the bottom of your container. To improve drainage, I use a mixture of small pebbles and gravel.
Step 2 – Optional. Add a 1/2-inch layer of activated charcoal to aid drainage.
Step 3. Cover the activated charcoal with a 1-inch to 2-inch layer of potting soil.
Step 4. Dig a small hole in the potting soil for each plant, I think an old spoon works perfectly. Remember to leave some breathing space around each plant for allow air to circulate.
Step 5. Place your plants in the prepared holes and firmly pat the soil around the roots.
Step 6. Lightly water or spray the plants.
Caring For Your Open Terrarium
Open terrariums with cacti and succulents require a sunny spot that gets a minimum of six hours of bright light a day.
Frequency of watering will vary depending on the plants you’ve chosen and the ambient temperature in your home. Let the top inch or so of the soil go dry between waterings. Cacti and succulents don’t need much water to survive. In fact, too much water can be damaging to them. We recommend watering every 10 to 12 days with 2 or 3 shot glasses of water – that’s right, shot glasses. Try to water the plants near their roots and not on the leaves.
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