- 1). Select a container made from transparent material. Suitable containers include fishbowls, fish tanks and large jars.
- 2). Wash the container with warm water and soap and dry it thoroughly. An unclean container can introduce harmful bacteria to the terrarium environment.
- 3). Place an even layer of gravel between ½ and 1 inch deep on the bottom of the container. This will help with drainage.
- 4). Sprinkle 1 or 2 tablespoons of activated charcoal over the gravel. The charcoal helps keep the air fresh and is especially important when you're making an enclosed terrarium.
- 5). Add potting soil to the container, and cover the layer of gravel and charcoal. Approximately 25 percent of the container's depth should be potting soil. Use a peatlite mix.
- 6). Inspect each plant before removing it from its container, and gently shake off excess soil without harming the roots. Don't introduce a sick or insect-ridden plant to the terrarium.
- 7). Make an indentation in the soil and set in a plant, covering the roots and making the soil line the same as when the plant was in its original container. Repeat this process for all the plants.
- 8). Spray the plants and inside of the container with water from a spray bottle to remove any dirt, and spray the soil enough to moisten it without actually soaking it.
- 9). Decorate the terrarium landscape by adding small ceramic figures.
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