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DIY Terrarium

holding the finished succulent terrarium with the title "diy terrarium"
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Making a DIY terrarium is easier than it looks! Follow these simple steps to create your very own succulent terrarium with minimal effort.

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After making the edible terrarium years ago, I still had never actually made a real one. But now that we’ve settled into the new house I’ve gotten super into gardening with both outdoor and indoor plants. This has led me to try out making my own DIY terrariums. For some reason I envisioned it to be difficult, but it really isn’t and only takes a few minutes! I used a starter terrarium kit and found my own succulent, but I’ll show you how easy it is with either a kit or separate materials.

Note: Some links in this post may contain affiliate links, which means at no cost to you, I may earn a commission.

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holding the finished succulent terrarium with the title "diy terrarium, how to make a terrarium, abcrafty.com"

Materials for a Succulent Terrarium

You can get a starter kit like I did which has all of the materials (this is the one I used) and then I got the succulent separately (this is the one I got). Or you can get the materials separately:

Creations by Nathalie - Plant Terrarium Kit, Glass DIY Terrarium Starter Kit for Adults, Metal Stand, Reindeer Moss, Crystal & Rocks, Tools, Figurine
Creations by Nathalie - Plant Terrarium Kit, Glass DIY Terrarium Starter Kit for Adults, Metal Stand, Reindeer Moss, Crystal & Rocks, Tools, Figurine
Echeveria Violet Queen Succulent (2 inch + No Pot) - Healthy Succulent Echeveria Live Easy Care Indoor House Plant, Fully Rooted in 2/4/6 inch Sizes
Echeveria Violet Queen Succulent (2 inch + No Pot) - Healthy Succulent Echeveria Live Easy Care Indoor House Plant, Fully Rooted in 2/4/6 inch Sizes
Mini White Rocks Stone Decorative Pebbles Vase Fillers Succulents Cactus Bonsai DIY Plant Rock Garden Outdoor Indoor Gravel for Aquarium, Fish Tank, Terrarium, Fairy Gardening, Top Dressing 2.2-lbs
Mini White Rocks Stone Decorative Pebbles Vase Fillers Succulents Cactus Bonsai DIY Plant Rock Garden Outdoor Indoor Gravel for Aquarium, Fish Tank, Terrarium, Fairy Gardening, Top Dressing 2.2-lbs
SuperMoss (23310) Moss Mix - Best Sellers, 80.75 Cubic Inch Bag (Appx. 2 Ounce)
SuperMoss (23310) Moss Mix - Best Sellers, 80.75 Cubic Inch Bag (Appx. 2 Ounce)
CXD-GEM Mineral Rock Crystals Gift Box Gemstone Healing Energy Stone Collection - Irregular Shape Stone Specimen(Set D)
CXD-GEM Mineral Rock Crystals Gift Box Gemstone Healing Energy Stone Collection - Irregular Shape Stone Specimen(Set D)

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How to Make a DIY Terrarium

Prepare the Base

To start your DIY terrarium, you’ll want to set up the base by adding a drainage medium first such as pebbles. Or if you’re not worried about overwatering, you can add the growing medium directly to the bottom of the glass container and leveling it out. I used the growing medium that came in the kit, but I also have been using Rosy Soil for my other succulents (use code ABCRAFTY for 10% off).

using a small rake to even out the dirt in the glass container

Once the dirt is level, you can plant out how you’d like your moss to look. I recommend putting them to the back and have them relatively tall. You basically want tall items in the back and then move to shorter items towards the front.

separating green dried moss

Prepare the Succulent

Some terrarium kits come with a succulent (such as this one), but mine didn’t so I purchased mine separately (this is the one I got – the Echeveria Violet Queen Succulent).

What you need to do is unpot it and carefully remove the dirt from the roots.

holding a 2 inch Echeveria Violet Queen succulent
showing the roots of the Echeveria Violet Queen succulent

Once you have the plant ready, make a little hole in the dirt and place the plants roots in it. Then cover the roots with dirt.

Tip: Gently tap the sides of the container to help settle the dirt to ensure it fills in the gaps around the roots.

Tip #2: I found it easier to remove the moss first to have more room to plant the succulent. Then after getting the plant in place, I put the moss back.

placing dirt around the Echeveria Violet Queen succulent in the glass container with the moss removed

Finish the Terrarium

The last thing you need to do is add the accessories, such as pebbles, crystals, and a little figurine. My kit came with a gorgeous purple amethyst cluster and an adorable squirrel figurine. It also came with some quartz pebbles, but I only ended up using a few them.

pouring pebbles over the dirt in the glass container in front of the moss

Then when everything is as you like, you’ll want to water the soil. It’s extremely important to not get water on the succulent. You can use the spray bottle to carefully spray the soil under and around the succulent.

using a small spray bottle to mist the dirt under the succulent

And then that’s it, you’ve finished your DIY terrarium! Be sure to follow the instructions of your specific plants for light and water requirements.

If you make your own succulent terrarium, I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @ab.crafty!

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holding the finished diy terrarium with succulent, crystal, and plastic squirrel figurine

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of container should I use for my terrarium?

You can really use any type of container for your terrarium, but I find that glass ones with a large opening work best. The large opening allows you to easily set it up and care for your plants. Be sure it’s large enough for your plant and any accessories. 

Can I use different types of plants in my terrarium?

Yes, you can experiment with different types of indoor plants , such as succulents, air plants, and even cacti. Just make sure all of the plants that you use together have similar light and water requirements.

How often should I water my terrarium?

It depends on the type of plant(s) you’re using, but generally once a week or less is sufficient. Be sure to check the soil moisture before watering to avoid over-watering. I personally like to let my soil dry out completely before watering, but make sure to check the instructions for your specific plant. 

What type of plants should I use in my terrarium?

Some popular and easy-to-care for choices are succulents, air plants, and cacti. These types of plants typically require less water and can thrive in a terrarium environment. Keep in mind that some plants may outgrow the container over time, so it’s important to regularly check on their growth and prune if necessary. 

What type of decorations can I use in my terrarium?

For a succulent terrarium, you can use pebbles, crystals, figurines, and other small objects to add a unique touch. Just make sure they are safe for your plants and won’t cause any harm or changes in the environment of the terrarium. Avoid using anything too large or sharp that could potentially damage the plants.  If you want to create a more tropical feel, you can also add mini air plants, ferns, and mosses as well. Get creative with your decorations to make your terrarium truly one-of-a-kind! 

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holding the finished succulent terrarium with the title "diy terrarium, how to make a terrarium, abcrafty.com"

DIY Terrarium

Making a DIY terrarium is easier than it looks! Follow these simple steps to create your very own succulent terrarium with minimal effort.
Yield 1 Terrarium
Print Pin Share Tweet
Project Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Materials
  

  • Glass Container
  • Succulent
  • Growing Medium
  • Pebbles
  • Dried Moss
  • Crystal optional
  • Figurine optional
  • Water

Equipment

  • Terrarium Tools optional
  • Spray Bottle optional

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the base by adding growing medium to the bottom of a glass container.
    Glass Container, Growing Medium
    using a small rake to even out the dirt in the glass container
  • Place moss in the back and taller items towards the front.
    Dried Moss
    separating green dried moss
  • Remove succulent from its pot and carefully remove dirt from roots.
    Succulent
    showing the roots of the Echeveria Violet Queen succulent
  • Plant succulent in prepared hole in soil, then cover with more dirt.
    placing dirt around the Echeveria Violet Queen succulent in the glass container with the moss removed
  • Add desired accessories like pebbles, crystals, and figurines.
    Pebbles, Crystal, Figurine
    pouring pebbles over the dirt in the glass container in front of the moss
  • Water soil without getting water on the succulent. Consider using a small spray bottle.
    Water
    using a small spray bottle to mist the dirt under the succulent
  • Enjoy your succulent terrarium! Follow specific plant instructions for light and watering needs.
    holding the finished diy terrarium with succulent, crystal, and plastic squirrel figurine
Keyword Nature, Plants, Succulent, Terrarium
Picture of Daniela Kretchmer

Daniela Kretchmer

Daniela is a lifelong crafter who loves to share her passion for crafting. Through classes or learning on her own, she likes to say she'll do pretty much any craft aside from scrapbooking. Her current personal obsessions include garden crafts, felting, and spinning yarn.

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