Terrarium Design

Terrarium Design
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
July 2012
Know the Lingo
In Latin, “-arium” generally refers to an enclosed container.
Aquarium = Water
Vivarium = Life
Terrarium = Land
Paludarium = Marsh
A Brief History of Terrariums
1829: Dr. Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward
The Wardian Case
1970’s: Foliage House Plants
Keys to Success
• Right Container
• Right Substrate
• Right Plant
• Right Soil
• Right Conditions
Containers
Containers
•
Moss & Ferns like moist conditions. Choose a
container with a small or closable opening
•
Cacti & Succulents like it dry and need air
flow. Choose a container with a large opening
•
Carnivorous Plants like moist conditions.
Choose a container with a small or closable
opening
Charcoal
Substrate
• Drainage
• Charcoal
• Barrier before soil
1. Aquarium gravel
3. Horticultural cloth
2. Charcoal
Plants
Soil
•
Woodland plants prefer soil that retains
moisture and contains peat and sand
•
Succulent plants prefer a well-draining
soil that contains gravel and sand
•
Carnivorous plants should be planted in
peat with few other trace elements
Conditions
•
Woodland terrariums prefer medium
to bright indirect light but can tolerate
low light
•
Cacti & Succulent terrariums need
lots of light, at least 6 hours of sun
every day
•
Carnivorous plant terrariums light
bright light and can handle direct sun
Key Design Principles
•
•
•
•
Balance
Color
Future Thinking
Landscape vs Arrangement