Making a Terrarium Project

Due: 10/2008

6th Grade Science

Mrs. Hollis

Making a Terrarium

Types of terrariums

Building your terrarium

Handiwords

Creating a terrarium – a glass case with earth in it, where plants and flowers can grow – is a super activity to begin during the long winter months, when a bit of greenery perks up anyone's spirits.

Ideas for containers:

_____________________________________________________________

large mayonnaise      pickle jars________________________

fish bowls apothecary jars ___________________

clear cookie jars   candy jars _______________________

plastic cake domes                            glass canisters ____________________

large plastic salad bowls                  distilled-water jugs  (large mouth)_____

Plan a terrarium with a large-mouthed container or dome with a cover or lid. Most planters you can plant by hand, but those with smaller openings will require special tools. They take a little practice, but once you learn how to use them they become second nature.

Look for miniature plants in nurseries and grocery-store plant departments. Pick plants that are compatible and that do well in the same environment.

You also need to consider temperature and moisture requirements. Some plants need a closed container with high humidity, some need a partially open one, and some an uncovered one. Generally, the narrower the neck of the container, the less likely the need for a cover.

Location of the terrarium will play a part, too. If it will be in a sunny place, succulents may work best. A succulent is a water retaining plant that does well in arid conditions (e.g., jade plant, Christmas cactus, sedum). If the terrarium will have a lot of shade and moisture, in a bathroom for instance, then ferns and mosses will most likely be a good choice.

It's easy to misjudge size, so take your container along when you go shopping for plants, if possible, to be sure they'll fit. Think about color and texture, too. Work toward creating some dramatic contrasts.

Bet You Didn't Know

The first terrarium came about in 1829. It was invented by Dr. Nathanial Ward, an Englishman, who wanted to watch the adult sphinx moth emerge from its chrysalis. He took the soil where the chrysalis was resting and put it in a glass jar with a metal lid. He discoverd plants grew well in this environment. (No one knows if he ever saw the sphinx moth, though.)

Here are some plants you may want to use:

Small plants:

Ferns in the Pteris family

Grape ivy

Boxwood shoots

Medium plants:

Chinese evergreen

Peperomia

Fittonias

Small-leafed ivy

Pileas

Ground covers:

Baby's tears

Mosses

Crinkle leaf peperomia

Wandering Jew

Selaginellas

Strawberry begonia

Flowering plants:

African violets

Miniature orchids

Miniature roses

Gloxinia

Miniature geraniums

Pilea

Begonias

Wintergreen

Desert plants (for a desertarium):

Old man cactus

Opuntia

Bishop's cap

Aloes

Bunny ear cactus

Kalanchoes

Tiger jaw cactus

Crassulas

Sand dollar cactus

Echeverias

Next: Building your terrarium >>

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