Plants around the house add life and interest to a small space. As we've made clear we're totally in love with terrarium's but can find them to be a little daunting to put together and maintain. So when we saw these simple open fishbowl's as faux terrarium's we were smitten:
The key is to not overwater these suckers since there isn't any drainage. We've done some similar plantings in vintage bowls covering the surface of the dirt with aquarium rocks to add color behind the succulents.
Thanks to reader Palmetto for pointing out GardenWeb and their forum on terrarium's in yesterday's Guide to Houseplants.
[image from exlibris flickr
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Where are the bowls from?
Great idea! I have four of these bowls left over from my wedding last summer and they've just been sitting in the cabinet.
I just have to make sure the cat doesn't think they're his own personal salad bar...
I tried this with a deeper glass vase and while it looked awesome for a few weeks, I haven't managed to keep anything alive in them, especially any succulents I tried.
I am having some moderate success with a lemon button fern though.
I rescued a fish bowl from my outbox and did this (non-succulent) for the bedroom. I've really been enjoying it - and the plants seem to be actually growing!
that's a good point mirandajay--if succulents aren't working (which like dry, drained soil), try something like a fern or jade plant (virtually indestructible).
Sorry to go all Grammar Nazi on you, but it's "terrariums" and "fishbowls." No need for an apostrophe in a plural.
Yes, yes, I already know I'm annoying, you don't have to tell me. ;)
Hello, these are my terrariums.
Idea Chick, I bought all of these bowls at a thrift store. The largest one was handmade and the smallest one has "Bishop's Awards Dinner" etched in gold on the side. I've seen some nice glass containers at Michael's but many times thrift store finds are much, much cheaper and so unique.
In order for the succulents to work well you really do need an open-mouthed container. You also need lots of gravel at the bottom for drainage and a layer of activated charcoal wards off mold. Mist sparingly.
First5times, my cats love to pull up the plants and bat them about. I've had to be clever about where I put them. After the 'newness' goes away they are less likely to molest them.
If anyone would like to see more plants in glass containers which I brazenly refer to as terrariums, you can visit my terrarium set here: http://flickr.com/photos/exlibris/sets/72157601826508242/