arise moss in a terrarium is a beautiful , low - care way to bring a touch of the outdoors into your indoor place . Terrariums are inclose containers of clear glass or charge card used for growing plants that prefer a high - humidity environment . Moss produce unspoiled in a very moist environment , so it makes an splendid option for terrarium - growing .
Although creating a moss terrarium is easy to do , setting it up takes careful planning and labor to ensure that the right growing conditions are create . If the balance of soil , substratum and moisture is wrong , then the plants can decompose and die .
Tip
There are several types of terrarium - corresponding grow containers , including thuidium , vivarium and paludarium , but a terrarium used specifically to grow moss is call a mossarium .
Choosing the Best Terrarium Moss Types
Choosing the veracious type of moss will help make your terrarium a successful endeavor . As a general rule , it is good to grow terrestrial moss that was circulate under controlled conditions in a nursery rather than moss that has been reap directly from a natural environment , because forest moss may harbour bacteria and fungus kingdom .
One plant that you should avoid growing in your moss terrarium is angel ’s tears ( Soleirolia soleirolii , zone 9a to 11b ) . It is sometimes sell under the common name of Irish moss , but it is not a true moss and will apace overwhelm other plant growing inside a terrarium .
Live moss is sold as little specimen like to sod male plug , or you could buy a keep moss pulverization to mix a slurry that can be overspread over the soil inside the terrarium to grow raw plants .
Building Your Terrarium
Terrarium kits are wide usable online and in some specialism stores , but you may also make one DIY - style . choose the right container , layer the soil and substrate and planting the moss in the right way will get your terrarium off to a unspoiled start .
Choosing a Container
One of the most of import gradation when learning how to make a moss terrarium is choosing the right container . Any large drinking glass container can be used to build a moss terrarium , but some container are better than others .
Layering the Soil
Terrariums do not have drain hole in the fundament , so you must make a drainage stratum at the bottom of the container to defend a healthy moisture proportion in the soil .
1 . Spread a 2 - column inch - thick layer of gravel , perlite or diminished pebble along the bottom of the container . 2 . Cover the drain layer with a 1/4 - inch - thick layer of activated or horticultural charcoal . fusain will serve control soil odor and will help with drainage , but it is an optional step . 3 . Add a 1- to 4 - inch - wooden-headed layer of Inner Light , organically rich soil over the fusain layer . A commercial soil mix containing peat moss , sphagnum and perlite is a effective pick , as is a mixture of half potting filth and one-half peat moss .
Larger terrarium tolerate for greater creative thinking with your soil layer , because you’re able to create hills and dips in the grunge bed to mime natural landforms .
Planting Your Moss
Planting moss is simple to do . It does not require you to labor a hollow ; just prepare the soil by wash it using a spray bottleful just prior to planting .
It is a effective idea to train a program before plant moss in your terrarium . Imagine how the unlike types of moss that you are growing will look at their mature sizing and then sketch out a planting architectural plan .
bestow terrarium decor , such as stones , joystick or small statuary , after planting your moss .
Growing Moss in a Terrarium
Growing moss in a terrarium takes small try , but the terrarium must be positioned in the right situation to prevent damage to the moss inside . Strong , lineal sunlight will scorch and kill moss , especially when it is grown inside a glass container .
set the terrarium where it will receive bright , indirect light . range the terrarium near a window with easterly , northern or westerly photograph . Do not set the terrarium near a south - facing windowpane unless it is shade all day or if you are growing sunshine - tolerant moss , such as peacock butterfly moss .
Moss dries out quickly , so regular misting is a good estimation . delay the moisture stage inside your terrarium every few weeks . A well - balance terrarium will only need a lighting misting of water every four to six month . Use distilled piss or rain for moss .
Overwatering can cause root problems even in moisture - enjoy plants , such as moss . Do not irrigate if there is visible pee in the pebbly substrate .
