One of the trends related to plants are eternal gardens. Also known as a garden in a bowl, or plant terrarium, an eternal garden is a very original way to have plants without taking up much space and also not having to devote much time to them.
But, do you want to know how to do it? Below we help you build your own eternal garden and thus save money and customize it to your liking with the plants you want (that are appropriate). Let’s do it?
What elements are needed to have an eternal garden
An eternal garden is mainly composed of a bowl, a bottle or similar made of glass with a lid. It must be made of glass because it needs the light to pass through it without heating up too much. That is why we do not recommend that you choose plastic containers, even if they are transparent.
In addition to the glass container (which, as we told you, can be of certain sizes and shapes), you will also need soil and stones. When it comes to soil, the best option is a mix of universal soil with perlite and some humus. But it will depend on the type of plant you are going to put inside.
The stones are decorative, although they also serve a purpose because they are placed at the bottom and help the water accumulate without rotting the roots of the plants (while also providing humidity inside). Sometimes activated charcoal is also added because it helps drain better, in addition to the roots developing much faster and stronger.
Next will be the plant or plants that will be in the indoor garden. A common mistake is wanting to have many in that container, but forgetting that plants grow. When you place too many, the plants end up not thriving because it is too small a space. Also, you should consider that they are mini plants, preferably slow growing, so they will last longer in the container and you won’t have to change them every time they grow.
Moss is also commonly used decoratively to place on the surface for a more beautiful appearance. However, be careful with the type of moss you choose, as not all are the same and the visual result can differ greatly.
Step by step to build the eternal garden
Now that you have all the necessary elements, it’s time to put it all together. And the first thing is to disinfect and clean the bottle, jar, bowl, or container you have chosen for your garden. However, just washing it is not enough, we also recommend that you dry it very well to prevent rot or mold from appearing.
Once it’s ready, you will need to first introduce the stones (which can be volcanic stones, perlite, or simply stones) onto the base of the container. Do not pour them in at once as you may break the glass. Try to distribute them evenly.
If you find that you cannot reach your hand into the container, you will need to use a stick or something similar to help.
Once you have finished, optionally add activated charcoal and then the substrate. You now have the base formed. And now comes the most creative part of the eternal garden.
Take the plants you have chosen and plant them one by one, leaving space between them. You must ensure that all the chosen plants have the same light, temperature, and humidity requirements, as otherwise, you may lose some.
Finally, you would optionally add the moss. This is the most difficult step, and some do it before planting the plants, but we prefer to recommend it as the last step to settle the plants well.
Now, all you have to do is water your eternal garden a little (either with a small bottle or by spraying it), so that everything is well watered and moistened. Close the container with the lid and place it in a well-lit area to enjoy it. Sometimes it is necessary to carefully control the ambient humidity both inside and outside the container.
And sometimes, when there is too much humidity inside, you will have to open the lid to prevent it from harming the plants (for example, causing rot).
Ideal mini plants for terrariums
As a helpful guide, we will provide you with a list of some of the plants for an eternal garden. This way you will know which are the best and especially how to combine them together. They are:
- Ficus.
- Dracaenas.
- Ferns.
- Begonias.
- Asparagus plumosus.
- Calatheas.
- Marantas.
- Hypoestes.
- Adiantum.
- Macodes.
- Fittonia
- Pileas.
Would you dare to create your own eternal garden for your home? These have the advantage of decorating any room and can be placed wherever you want (even using shade plants for less illuminated areas).
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
