Best Containers for Different Types of Terrariums

Terrariums have surged in popularity due to their ability to bring a slice of nature indoors, offering a miniature ecosystem that can thrive within confined spaces. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or a beginner looking to cultivate some greenery, selecting the right container is crucial. The container not only houses your plants but also influences the humidity, air circulation, light exposure, and overall aesthetic of your terrarium. Different types of terrariums—ranging from succulent gardens to tropical jungles—demand different containers to best support the plants’ needs.

In this article, we’ll explore the best containers for various types of terrariums, considering factors such as material, shape, size, and functionality. By understanding these aspects, you can create thriving terrariums that are both beautiful and sustainable.

Understanding Terrarium Types

Before diving into containers, it’s essential to grasp the main types of terrariums and their specific requirements:

• Closed Terrariums: These feature sealed environments that retain moisture and humidity, ideal for tropical plants like ferns and mosses.
• Open Terrariums: These allow for airflow and are better suited for drought-tolerant plants such as succulents and cacti.
• Dish Gardens: Typically shallow and open containers used for smaller plants or mixed arrangements.
• Aquatic or Paludarium Terrariums: These combine land and water features to support amphibious plants or animals.

Each type requires careful container selection to maintain the right environmental conditions.

Best Containers for Closed Terrariums

Closed terrariums thrive on high humidity and minimal air exchange. The container should be able to trap moisture and reflect light well while providing enough space for plants to grow without overcrowding.

Glass Jars with Lids

Why they work:
Glass jars with airtight lids are classic choices for closed terrariums. They are transparent, allowing ample light penetration, and their airtight nature helps maintain humidity levels by preventing moisture loss.

Popular options:
– Mason jars
– Apothecary jars
– Vintage glass canisters

Advantages:
– Easy to seal tightly
– Inexpensive and widely available
– Various sizes for customization

Considerations:
– Be mindful of condensation buildup; occasionally open the lid to prevent mold.
– Ensure adequate lighting since dense foliage can reduce light reaching lower leaves.

Glass Cloche Domes

Why they work:
Glass cloches resemble mini-greenhouses placed over plants. They create an ideal microclimate by trapping heat and moisture while offering easy access when you want to tend your plants.

Advantages:
– Elegant presentation
– Easily removable lids
– Great for small-scale terrariums or single plants

Considerations:
– Limited ventilation may require periodic airing.
– Small size limits plant choice.

Aquarium Tanks

Why they work:
Large glass aquarium tanks are perfect if you want to build a more complex closed terrarium environment. Their size allows for layering substrate, planting multiple species, and even adding small decorative elements like stones or wood.

Advantages:
– Durable and spacious
– Can accommodate taller plants
– Easy visibility from all sides

Considerations:
– Requires more space
– Heavier than smaller jars or cloches
– Regular maintenance is necessary to prevent condensation and mold

Best Containers for Open Terrariums

Succulents and cacti prefer dry conditions with good air circulation; thus, open containers are ideal.

Wide-Mouthed Glass Bowls

Why they work:
Wide-mouthed bowls provide ample airflow while showcasing the plants attractively. Their shallow depth suits succulents’ shallow root systems.

Popular types:
– Fish bowls
– Glass salad bowls or vases repurposed as planters

Advantages:
– Easy access for watering and care
– Ample surface area for arranging multiple succulents
– Minimal risk of waterlogging due to evaporation

Considerations:
– Lack of drainage holes means careful watering is necessary.
– May require placing pebbles or charcoal layers at the bottom for drainage mimicry.

Open Terrarium Kits with Drainage Layers

Some specialty open terrarium containers come equipped with built-in drainage layers or mesh separators inside glass bowls or containers. These help prevent root rot by separating soil from excess water and improving airflow around roots.

Advantages:
– Helps keep succulents healthy longer
– Reduces risk of root rot

Considerations:
– Slightly more expensive than basic bowls
– May require learning proper assembly techniques

Wooden or Ceramic Planters with Open Tops

While glass is most common, terrarium enthusiasts sometimes opt for open wooden boxes or ceramic containers without lids. These materials offer a natural aesthetic that complements desert-themed arrangements.

Advantages:
– Unique styles and finishes available
– Porous materials can aid moisture control (wood)

Considerations:
– Some wood may decay if watered excessively.
– Ceramic planters often have drainage holes which may be beneficial but need saucers underneath.

Best Containers for Dish Gardens

Dish gardens are shallow yet wide containers used primarily for small collections or mixed plantings like moss gardens or mini herb gardens.

Shallow Ceramic Dishes or Trays

These provide an earthy look while being functional for small-rooted plants.

Advantages:
– Low-profile design ideal for office desks or windowsills
– Multiple plants can be arranged artistically in close proximity

Considerations:
– No lid means less humidity retention – suitable only for drought-tolerant species or regular misting.

Shallow Glass Trays or Platters

Glass trays offer a modern look that highlights soil layers and decorative stones beneath the plants.

Advantages:
– Transparent sides show off substrate layering
– Easy to clean

Considerations:
– Fragile compared to ceramic dishes
– No natural drainage unless modified with stones at bottom

Best Containers for Aquatic & Paludarium Terrariums

Paludariums blend aquatic and terrestrial elements, hosting amphibious plants like ferns along with water-dwelling species such as aquatic mosses or even small fish or frogs. Container choice here affects both water retention and plant health.

Large Aquariums with Dividers

Regular aquariums fitted with custom dividers create distinct zones of water and land inside one container—a perfect setup for paludariums.

Advantages:
– Allows careful control of water levels on each side
– Spacious enough for diverse ecosystems

Considerations:
– Requires specialized construction skills
– Needs filtration system if aquatic animals are introduced

Large Glass Bowls with Elevated Platforms

For simpler paludariums, a large glass bowl can hold water around an elevated platform where terrestrial plants grow above the waterline.

Advantages:
– Visually striking design
– Easier maintenance than complex aquariums

Considerations:
– Not suitable for larger animals or extensive aquatic plantings

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Terrarium Container

Regardless of terrarium type, certain factors will guide your decision:

1. Material

Most terrariums use glass due to its transparency and impermeability. Alternatives like acrylic are lightweight but scratch easily. Ceramic offers great aesthetics but usually lacks transparency unless glazed inside. Plastic containers can be economical but tend not to last as long under sunlight exposure.

2. Size

The container size should match the type of plants you want as well as their eventual growth. Small succulents fit well in tiny bowls; tropical setups might need larger tanks.

3. Shape

Height affects airflow in open terrariums; wider openings promote ventilation suited for dry-loving plants while tall narrow jars help retain humidity in closed systems.

4. Drainage

Most terrarium containers lack drainage holes; therefore, creating proper substrate layers (such as charcoal beneath soil) helps avoid root rot. Alternatively, using containers with built-in drainage (common in ceramic pots) might help but requires saucers.

5. Access

Think about how often you’ll need to access your terrarium—to prune, mist, or water—and ensure the container offers easy access without disturbing the ecosystem too much.

Conclusion

Choosing the best container is foundational when building a successful terrarium tailored to your desired plant species. Closed terrariums benefit from airtight glass jars or aquariums that trap moisture; open terrariums thrive in wide-mouthed bowls or airy ceramic pots; dish gardens flourish in shallow dishes; while paludariums require specialized aquariums designed to hold both land and water environments.

Pay attention not just to aesthetics but also practical aspects such as ventilation, humidity control, drainage potential, plant size accommodations, and ease of maintenance. By carefully selecting a container suited to your chosen type of terrarium and plant requirements, you’ll set yourself up for a thriving green haven that brings beauty and tranquility into your living space.

Happy planting!