I have a pretty impressive ability to kill plants. Seriously, it’s a true talent. Even the most unkillable of plants has been brought to its knees at our house. So after months of hearing people throw around promising words like “easy” and “hard to kill” when talking about terrariums, I decided to give it a shot over the holiday break. I have to say I’m pretty smitten with it!
For me, making the terrarium was as much about the container as it was about the plants. There are so many neat terrarium containers out there – these are just a few of my faves (note: some of the below links are affiliate links):
I chose the Hanging Jar Terrarium from Terrain because I love the shape of it and that you have the option to either hang it or sit it on a flat surface. Creating the terrarium was super easy and took under 30 mins from start to finish. I started by filling my container with a 1″ layer of small rocks, followed by a layer of activated carbon (available in the aquarium section at pet stores). The carbon helps keep your terrarium from getting mildewy and probably isn’t necessary in an open terrarium like mine (for closed terrariums it’s a must) but I figured it can’t hurt.
Then I added three small terrarium plants that the folks at Terrain told me will do well in an open terrarium.
And finally, I added in some larger rocks and preserved mosses.
I’m not sure where my terrarium’s final home will be but right now I’ve got it in our home office in front of the octopus print on the gallery wall.
After a few days I decided that adding a little animal figurine to the terrarium would be kinda fun so I nabbed a little deer (seen in the first pic) from my girls’ animal stash. I loved it but my girls thought that a different kind of animal would be a better fit for our family…
Look familiar?
Have a great weekend everyone!
Kim says
January 9, 2015 at 7:36 amI love terrariums and it is on my to do list this year. Yours looks great. I am bad about killing plants, too, but they say terrariums are pretty hard to kill.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
January 12, 2015 at 12:05 pmThat’s what they say but with my black thumb, this terrarium will have met its match. I’ll let you know how it fares!
Kathy says
January 9, 2015 at 7:37 amLove Princess Hope in the terrarium!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
January 12, 2015 at 12:06 pmThe kids love her there but me…not so much. I want my deer back 🙂
Dagmara @ GlamistaHome says
January 9, 2015 at 8:06 amWhat a cute project, I have been also loving terrariums, West Elm has been having some pretty ones and Whole Foods has been selling them already pre-made for those who don’t want to spend the time to make one. But I think that putting one together and adding all personal touches is half the fun. Love how yours turned out and kiss to the puppy. 🙂
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
January 12, 2015 at 12:07 pmYes, I love all of the terrariums and West Elm! We don’t have a Whole Foods nearby by that’s great to know that they sell them pre-made!
Jennifer Smith says
January 9, 2015 at 8:24 amI love this. I am a little concerned about my lack of a green thumb to try it. I just buried my snake plant the other day! It’s supposed to be one of the easiest to grow. I like the spotted deer!!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
January 12, 2015 at 12:08 pmOh no! Don’t tell me that about your snake plant because I bought one last month for it’s “unkillableness”. I’ll have to see how mine fares. The only plants that I’ve had success with keeping alive are my pothos plant (truly, truly unkillable) and my jade plant.
[email protected] this top that says
January 9, 2015 at 8:43 amI love how you added the animals. whimsy little touch.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
January 12, 2015 at 12:08 pmThanks Laura – I’m lobbying with my girls to replace the Littlest Pet Shop dog with the deer that was first in there 🙂
[email protected] Stroll Thru Life says
January 9, 2015 at 9:12 amWhat a great project. Love the addition of the animals. So cute.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
January 12, 2015 at 12:08 pmThanks Marty!
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
January 9, 2015 at 9:21 amLooks lovely and fits in your office beautifully!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
January 12, 2015 at 12:09 pmThanks Jennifer – yep, my office is kinda turning into nature-land 🙂
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
January 9, 2015 at 10:15 amI am totally obsessed with terrariums too Kris and I LOVE the one you chose with that rope!! I have never used carbon in mine and I really should do that – the mildew is such a party pooper. I have a hanging one similar to yours and used to have it in front of my kitchen window, but it got kind of filmy. I wonder if the carbon would help with that. I love that #3 container that you shared above with the 3 cubes!!!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
January 12, 2015 at 12:10 pmI was afraid to go with one of the closed terrariums for that exact reason but I LOVE some of the closed ones from West Elm. We’ll see if this sucker survives – I don’t have a great track record. Have you had yours for a long time?
Gigi Harlan says
January 9, 2015 at 10:32 amI love terrariums and yours is gorgeous!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
January 12, 2015 at 12:10 pmThanks so much Gigi!
Vel says
January 9, 2015 at 10:36 amSo pretty Kris and a perfect dose of green in this frigid weather! I’ve never made one, and I would love to try, let us know how it will go with yours ok?! Thanks!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
January 12, 2015 at 12:11 pmI’ll let you know if it truly is unkillable – living in my house is the ultimate test!
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
January 9, 2015 at 10:50 amKeep me posted on how this goes as I’ve wanted to try this very thing. Unfortunately I have the same plant killing abilities you do so I haven’t had the guts. 🙂
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
January 12, 2015 at 12:11 pmHa! I’ll let you know how it goes!
Karbo says
January 10, 2015 at 5:09 pmPretty – I think you need a mini Groot in there.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
January 12, 2015 at 12:11 pmYou bring that when you next come to visit, ok?!
[email protected] says
January 11, 2015 at 8:56 amThat’s so cute! And I’m totally with you on trying not to kill plants….. I have a brown thumb. I know you can do it! It will give me hope!!! 🙂
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
January 12, 2015 at 12:12 pmI’ll let you know if it survives – fingers crossed!
Louise says
January 11, 2015 at 12:20 pmKris,
I have enjoyed your blog for years and love this little terrarium! I am just starting my own blog and would love for you to check it out. http://psquaredlouise.blogspot.com
Louise
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
January 12, 2015 at 12:12 pmHow exciting Louise! I’m on my way over to check it out!