What is a terrarium?

A terrarium is a miniature rainforest planted in artisan glass. It is a self-contained ecosystem that can thrive for years, with proper light, without even being opened or watered. A true terrarium must be closed with a glass lid, cork, stopper or some other kind of closure. That is in order to allow the terrarium to recycle its water, carbon dioxide and oxygen. A closed, wet terrarium is the best way to enjoy beautiful tropical plants in your home or workplace without having to worry about keeping them healthy and happy.

What makes your terrariums so special?

Ours terrariums are not your typical “grocery store or florist shop terrariums.” They are science-based, closed ecosystems that hardly ever need additional water or fresh air. They are in the same category as a salt-water aquarium set up. Once they are in proper balance they continue to grow slowly for years and years.

What is the secret to your terrariums’ success?

The key to our success is that we use only clean plants, mosses and other materials, and then we keep them clean by keeping them isolated in separate tubs until the day they are planted. That’s how our terrariums live for decades, and we guarantee it. In fact they are all under our no-fault warranty so that you will never need to worry about them dying, getting shabby or becoming over grown. To honor our guarantee we provide all of our terrariums with our free Terrarium Spa as often as needed to keep them both healthy and beautiful for years.

What do the various terrarium options cost?

Our terrarium prices start at $74 retail and go up to $399 for really large frog habitat or rare large terrarium glass containers. Our most popular terrariums run from $124 TO $169. Your terrarium will then be under our no-fault warranty so you will never need to worry about it dying or becoming shabby. It will be guaranteed to thrive for decades with just an annual trimming and cleaning, (which we call a Terrarium Spa) provided free of charge, just for tips.

What will I get for my registration fee?

You will receive complete instruction on the history, science, design and planting of a true, self-contained terrarium and have a $25 credit towards whatever terrarium you choose to plant. All the basics will come with the price of your terrarium, including all the healthy plants, rocks, mosses, and gravels needed to complete it.

How much should I be prepared to spend on my terrarium during the class?

Our terrarium prices start at $74 retail and go up to $399 for really large frog habitat or rare large terrarium glass containers. Our most popular terrariums run from $124 TO $169. Your credit will bring these all these prices down by $25. Your terrarium will then be under our no-fault warranty so you will never need to worry about it dying or becoming shabby. It will be guaranteed to thrive for decades with just an annual trimming and cleaning, (which we call a Terrarium Spa) provided free of charge, just for tips.

Do you sell terrarium plants and materials?

Yes. We offer all of our terrarium containers, plants and other materials for sale separately.

Can I book a Private Party for my friends and family or a Private Team-building Terrarium Class for my company or department?

Our classes make a great party of family reunions, bridal parties and team building activities. We offer private classes to such groups with a minimum of 8 students on weekdays and 10 students on Saturdays. We can handle up to 15 students at one time for a private class.

What is required to host a private class?

We require a full non-refundable payment of $59.95 per student at the time of booking in order to make reservations for any private class. No discounts apply to a Private Class. Additional students may be added right up to the day of the class. Students must always be allowed to upgrade their terrarium choices and then pay the difference out of their own pocket. They may instead be provided with additional credit by the host toward their terrariums.

What is Your No-Fault Warranty?

All our terrarium plantings come with our no-fault warranty so that you never need to worry about them dying, getting shabby and becoming over grown. To honor our guarantee we provide our free Terrarium Spa as often as needed to keep your terrarium both healthy and beautiful for years. Simply bring your terrarium into our shop during normal hours. We will take your name, phone number and the days date and then make the repairs and contact you as soon as it is ready to pick up.

My terrarium is dying, not looking good, etc. and needs to be refreshed or replanted. What should I do?

Simply bring your terrarium into our shop during normal hours. We will take your name, phone number and the days date and then make the repairs and contact you as soon as it is ready to pick up.

What kinds of plants do well in a terrarium?

The best plants are tropical, evergreen plants with smaller leaves that can be easily trimmed as they grow. Some evergreen woodland plants and mosses will also do well in a terrarium.

What plants do not do well in a terrarium?

Plants that do not like high humidity will not do well in a terrarium. This would include any plants that require high levels of direct sunlight. Desert plants, such as succulents and cacti require a hot, dry, arid habitat. Though many blooming plants thrive in a terrarium, most orchids and normal size African violets that require constant air circulation will not do well in a terrarium.

Do I need to water my terrarium?

That will depend on what type of closure your terrarium has. A terrarium with a normal, loose fitting glass lid will normally need a small amount of water every three months to remain moist and humid. A terrarium bottle, lab flask or jar with a natural cork, rubber stopper or rubber gasket should not need to be watered at all if it is kept closed. However, terrariums with such rubber gaskets or stoppers may be so airtight that they build up pressure inside due to the composting activity of the microbes in the soil. For that reason we cut a tiny grove in each rubber gasket or stopper to act as an air passage to allow any air pressure to be released as needed.

How often should I water my terrarium?

If your terrarium has a loose fitting glass lid you may need to add a small amount of water every six months. If your terrarium has a cork a rubber stopper or glass stopper you should not have to water your terrarium because it is self-contained.

How much water should I add to my terrarium?

Very little. We recommend adding roughly a quarter of a cup of water for a quart size container, a half cup of water for a half gallon size container and a full cup of water for a gallon size or more container every 6 months. Soil should be kept moist, but never soggy. Excess water at the bottom of the terrarium may be removed with the suction of a plastic basting tool.

Do I need to fertilize my terrarium?

No. A small amount of fertilizer has already been added to the soil by the grower when the plants were being grown in the greenhouse. Additional fertilizer may cause rapid plant growth which then requires more trimming of the plants.

What can I do when my terrarium fogs up?

The fogging up of a terrarium is a natural and necessary part of what makes a terrarium work. This is the water cycle. Therefore do NOT open your terrarium just to air it out. Doing so defeats the purpose of it being a terrarium. Instead, we recommend that you invest in a set of our magnetic scrubbers to clear off the fog on the inside without allowing any precious moisture to escape.

What should I do if I see mold growing in my terrarium?

Many molds are harmless to the plants, but they are unsightly when they are spreading aggressively. Molds normally appear when a terrarium has become too dry and musty. A healthy terrarium should be kept wet and “drippy” on the sides without allowing the soil to become soggy and water laden. If mold appears, the first thing to do is remove the moss, plants and soils where it is even the slightest bit visible. Effected plants may be soaked in mild detergent water and rinsed off in room temperature water and replanted, or discarded and replaced with clean new plants. An organic fungicide may be added to the terrarium to kill any remaining mold spore. Another way to tame a mold infestation is by the adding springtails to the terrarium so; tiny white insect that actually eat mold and fungi. These tiny creatures are part of the clean up crew of the rainforest. They help to balance the ecosystem of your terrarium.

What should I do if I have find mushroom growing in my terrarium?

Mushrooms are the puppies and kittens of the terrarium world. They are so cute when they are small, but they are not as cute when they grow large and begin to spore and take over your terrarium. Some mushrooms actually create a dead zone, called a fairy ring, where the toxins in their spore have killed off plants in the surrounding area. I recommend enjoying them for a day or less and then removing them before they open their caps wide and begin to drop their spore. If you like the mushroom look, I recommend placing porcelain figurines of small mushrooms in your terrarium.

What should I do if I see an insect?

It all depends on what it is. If it is a black fly, a white fly, an ant, a mealy bug or a red spider mite, it should be removed quickly before it can reproduce. If more appear, continue to remove them until no more appear. An mild organic pesticide may be added to kill any eggs that remain. If, however, the insect is a small centipede, a “roll poly” or a springtail, it will do no harm. These critters eat only the dead material on the forest floor. If you like it, keep it.

What should I do if I see a slug?

If you see a slug, even a very tiny one, you should take it out immediately. These slimy little creatures are voracious eaters of live plants. (Some snails, with shells, eat only dead plant material, but slugs like their salad fresh and green. You are likely to see holes in the leaves of your plants and winding slug trails through the fog on the inside of the glass first. Then, if you follow the trails, you may find the slug moving along slowly at the very end of it. Use a q-tip or a bit of paper towel to “capture” it and discard it.

What should I do if my terrarium is getting too crowded with plants?

Every terrarium plant must grow in order to remain alive. Though most of our plants grow slowly, they will eventually begin to bump up against the lid of your terrarium. It is wise to be proactive and not wait for crowding to happen. Instead, pinch off or clip off the buds at the top and sides of each plant as needed. This will force it to put out new growth on the base and at the sides. The clippings may be inserted into the soil to propagate new baby plants if you like. Poking a tiny hole in the soil with a skewer or chop stick will allow the stems of your fresh cuttings to be inserted into the soil without bruising or breaking them.

Can you ship planted terrariums through the mail?

We are sorry, but no, we cannot ship planted terrariums through the mail. If the terrarium tipped over in transit, it would mix everything up like a tossed salad. Any stones in the terrarium would also likely break the glass. You may select and pay for a terrarium through our website, but the terrarium must be picked up from us here at our shop in Silverton, Oregon during regular shop hours.

What is a Wardian Case terrarium?

A Wardian Case is the original terrarium design. Built of plate glass and wood molding, its is named in honor of Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward, the discoverer of the Terrarium Effect in 1827. The first Wardian Cases were used as cargo cases for the transportation of live tropical plants from one continent to another, across the vast oceans and long land-based trade routes of the day. After proving it's effectiveness as a glass cargo case for live plants, the Wardian Case was then adapted for use as a beautiful wood and glass display case for keeping live tropical plants in botanical gardens and then in people’s homes. Our Wardian Cases are reproductions of the original, simple designs as first invented by Dr. Ward.

How much light does my terrarium need?

The tropical plants that we use in our terrariums require only bright but indirect light. These plants are used to growing under the canopy of the taller trees in the rainforest. Therefore, it is important to protect your terrarium from the heat of direct sunlight. The light that radiates from the sky itself is the ideal light for your terrarium. You may supplement this light with LED lights or with fluorescent lights. Incandescent lights are of less value for plant growth, though they may be of some value. Supplemental lights should be turned on first thing in the morning and turned off last thing in the evening. Do not keep lights on overnight, as your terrarium plants will need a period of darkness at night during which they respirate in exchange water vapor and oxygen for carbon dioxide.

Can I add my own rocks and minerals to my terrarium?

Yes, you may add your own rocks and minerals to your terrarium, provided they are clean and not water soluble. We recommend that you place such materials in a bowl and submerge them in hot boiling water for five minutes. This will not only kill any fungi or other pathogens present, but will also test the materials to be sure they do not dissolve in water. Some beautiful crystals are salt-based, or sedimentary and may therefore dissolve in the high humidity of your terrarium, shedding chemicals that may slowly poison your plants and mosses.

What does the moss do in my terrarium? Is it there just for looks?

Live, deep-forest mosses are beautiful and they add a lushness to any terrarium landscape. However, mosses also play an important part in the ecology of the forests, absorbing and holding water until it is needed during dry times. They also have an anti-fungal affect that helps to keep the terrarium’s system in balance. We use mosses for all of these reasons.

What is Your No-Fault Warranty?

All our terrarium plantings come with our no-fault warranty so that you never need to worry about them dying, getting shabby and becoming over grown. To honor our guarantee we provide our free Terrarium Spa as often as needed to keep your terrarium both healthy and beautiful for years. Simply bring your terrarium into our shop during normal hours. We will take your name, phone number and the days date and then make the repairs and contact you as soon as it is ready to pick up.

My terrarium is dying, not looking good, etc. and needs to be refreshed or replanted. What should I do?

Simply bring your terrarium into our shop during normal hours. We will take your name, phone number and the days date and then make the repairs and contact you as soon as it is ready to pick up.

What is a normal tip for your Terrarium Maintenance Spa service?

Tips are usually around 10% to 15% of your original terrarium purchase price. However, there is no obligation to tip.

I live too far away to bring my terrarium in to your shop. How can I maintain it myself?

If you live too far away to bring your terrarium in we will advise you over the phone and by text how best to service your terrarium. By texting us a photo of whatever may be the problem, we will recommend what to do. If you need new plants we may be able too help you find a good local source.

Can I keep carnivorous plants in a terrarium?

Most carnivorous plants need direct sunlight in order to thrive. Many also need a cold season of dormancy in order to recharge and come back again, fresh and healthy. For these reasons a terrarium is normally not a good habitat for these plants.

Can I keep air plants in a terrarium?

Air plants may be kept in a closed terrarium if there is also enough soil present to provide the carbon dioxide. Even though the air plants is not actually planted in the soil, without the soil inside the terrarium, the airplants will eventually suffocate.

Can I keep cacti and succulents in a terrarium?

No. Cacti and succulents are desert plants. They need a sunny, hot, dry, and arid habitat in order to thrive. Placeing these plants in the closed, wet, low light environment of a terrarium will cause them to die.

Can I keep orchids in a terrarium?

Some miniature orchids do well in a terrarium, but most of the popular varieties with the large flowers require more air circulation than can be provided in a closed terrarium.

Can I keep African violets in a terrarium?

Normal sized African violets do not normally do well in a closed terrarium because of their need for good air circulation. However miniature African violets can do very well in a closed terrarium, provided their spent blooms are removed as they fade. Miniature African violets will bloom two or three times each year if the bright light and high humidity requirements are met.

How does a terrarium get its air when it is closed?

The terrarium effect works because microbes in the soil are composting the leaves and stems of former plants and breaking them down into loam. In this process they're releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide into the air inside the jar. The plants breathe this carbon dioxide in through heir leaves in the process of photosynthesis, during which the plants manufacture for themselves new molecules of starch. But for each molecule starch that is produced a molecule of oxygen is also produced and released into the air inside the jar. This oxygen makes its way down through the air passages in the soil to where the microbes live. They breathe in this fresh new oxygen and go back to work composting the soil. and releasing more carbon dioxide in to the air. Thus, at the foundation of all of life in your terrarium is this relationship of doing well for yourself by doing good for others. All of life on planet earth is dependent upon this simple but profound truth that we are able to thrive best by helping others to thrive. That is how your terrarium gets its air.

Can I keep poison dart frogs in my terrarium?

Yes. Poison dart frogs make a wonderful addition to any larger terrarium. However, best practices demand that we not place dart frogs into a terrarium smaller than at least 2 gallons. This is in order to provide an adequate oxygen supply for the frogs when they are mature. Larger size terrariums also allows the frogs to have adequate room to run around and to hunt for flightless fruit flies inside the terrarium.

What care do poison dart frogs need?

Poison dart frogs will need to be fed every other day with flightless fruit flies. Such flies are sold in any pet store that serves the dart frog community. Dietary supplements are also recommended by many in the frog community. If breeding the frogs is desired, there will also be need to set up the requirements for that.

What other animals can I put in my terrarium?

We do not recommend any other animals in our terrariums. Our poison dart frogs do not dig or otherwise rearrange our beautiful plantings. They simply climb around on the plants. Other creatures, such as toads, lizards, small turtles, and other amphibians tend to muck up the terrarium very quickly.

What time do you offer your classes?

Our classes are scheduled at 11:30 am and 3pm Thursday through Saturday. We also offer a Friday evening class at 6:30 pm.

How many students can you serve in each class?

We can handle up to 15 students at a time.

How much does the terrarium planting class cost?

The standard registration fee is $59.95 per person. We recommend ages 8 years and up.

Can I bring my child, my spouse, my friend along for free just to be with me and watch?

Sorry, but children, and anyone else attending will have to pay the registration fee and come prepared to plant their own terrarium during the class because they will be taking a seat that could otherwise have been sold to someone else. Because our classes often fill up we cannot accommodate free spectators.

May I bring in my own glass container for the class?

Sorry, but you cannot bring your own container to the class. This is because we have to complete control over all the variables in order to give you our unlimited no-fault warranty. Thank you for understanding.

May I bring in my own container outside of the class?

We are sorry, but no you may not bring any outside containers to our shop. In order to avoid plant diseases, molds and pests we have to maintain a very clean environment. We keep all of our plants and mosses in large separate plastic bins to avoid contamination.

Do I have to have a lid on my terrarium?

Yes. We have a saying around here, “If it doesn't have a lid, who you trying to kid? It's not a terrarium." It is the lid that allows your terrarium to recycle its water, oxygen and carbon dioxide.