Received a terrarium as a gift? Here is how to place it, what to expect and what to leave alone during the first week.
If you have just been given a terrarium, the first week comes down to four things: put it in a bright spot out of direct sun, leave it closed, resist the urge to water it, and check on it briefly now and then. A closed terrarium regulates its own water and humidity, so most of what helps in the first days is simply not interfering. This guide walks you through what to do on day one, what is normal to see, and how to settle into an easy routine.
Start by finding the right location before you do anything else. Plants in a terrarium need daylight, so look for a bright spot such as a desk, a cabinet or a windowsill with plenty of light. Avoid putting it in direct sun: a closed glass container can heat up quickly, and that can damage the plants.
Also think about stability. Choose a flat, steady surface away from the edge, where the glass is not likely to be knocked, and away from radiators or other heat sources.
Many of our terrariums arrive as a Do-It-Yourself kit, which means you assemble them yourself. Follow the included step-by-step plan in order. The layers go in a set sequence: drainage first, then activated carbon, then terrarium soil, and finally the plants and moss. Take your time; there is no benefit to rushing it.
As an example, the Teddy Bonsai Red is a glass terrarium of Ø 25 cm and 26.5 cm high with a cork. It comes with a Ficus Ginseng bonsai and a Fittonia Ruby Lime, together with three fresh moss balls, 1.75 litres of terrarium soil, 0.75 litres of hydro pellets, 35 grams of activated charcoal, a step-by-step guide and care instructions.
After building or unboxing, the terrarium needs time to find its balance. You may see condensation on the glass, especially in the morning or when the room warms up. That is a normal part of a closed ecosystem: water evaporates, collects on the glass and returns to the soil.
If the glass is so fogged that you cannot see the plants all day long, the terrarium is probably quite humid. In that case you can leave it open for a few hours so some moisture escapes, and then close it again.
The most common mistake in the first week is adding water. Because the terrarium is closed, water is recycled inside the glass, and watering is often only needed once or twice a year. If you are unsure, wait. It is much easier to add a little water later than to remove too much.
Only consider watering if the soil looks dry over a longer period and the glass stays completely clear, without any condensation at all. Even then, add only a small amount.
If your terrarium has an LED cork, treat it as decoration. It adds a warm glow in the evening but it is not a grow light and it does not replace daylight. The plants still need a bright location during the day.
A good rhythm is to open the terrarium for a few hours once a month. This refreshes the air inside and gives you a chance to look at the plants more closely. Outside of that, keep it closed. Opening it daily lets moisture escape and disturbs the balance you are trying to build.
You do not need a complicated schedule. Place the terrarium, then glance at it once a day for the first week. Look at the glass, the leaves and the soil, and note anything unusual. After a week, you will have a good feel for how your terrarium behaves, and you can drop the daily check in favour of a quick look whenever you walk past.
For more general guidance, read our terrarium tips for beginners, which cover placement, watering and maintenance in more detail.
A closed terrarium usually needs water only once or twice a year, because it recycles its own water. In the first week, do not water at all unless the instructions that came with your terrarium say otherwise.
In a bright spot such as a desk, cabinet or windowsill, but out of direct sun.
No. Some condensation is normal in a closed terrarium. If the glass stays completely fogged all day, open it for a few hours.
No. The LED cork is decorative only and does not replace daylight.
Want to add another one to your collection? Browse our terrarium DIY kits.
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