DIY Succulent Terrarium Ideas to Make Yourself!

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It’s much easier to make a DIY succulent terrarium than you’d think! There’s something so satisfying about creating your own little mini ecosystem. Terrariums are the perfect low-maintenance plant project, because they require little water and are happy to sit on a sunny windowsill. They’re especially great for the office if you find yourself craving a little greenery after being surrounded by the hum of technology. Get started on making your own today!

Want to give your botanical display that perfect personal touch? Here are some cool ways to reimagine the traditional design and create something that really speaks to you.

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DIY Tutorials: Building a Succulent Terrarium

Here’s how you can make your own DIY succulent terrarium. Once you get the hang of it, you won’t want to stop making them! Luckily, they make great gifts, and there are plenty of ways to customize them, so don’t be surprised if your friends and family start making requests for their own! 

Terrarium Materials:

  • Glass container with an opening
  • Assorted succulents
  • Gravel or sand
  • Cacti potting mix
  • Decorative accents like rocks, moss, or figurines. 

We’ve got the best selection of plant care supplies and new succulents in Fort Lauderdale, so head on over to Living Color to pick up everything you need to make your project a success!

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Making a Succulent Terrarium 

Begin by making sure your chosen container is properly cleaned and sanitized. Layer two inches of gravel or sand in the bottom of the container. This is to provide moisture drainage, so water won’t stay stagnant and collect around your plants’ roots. Top this layer with one inch of cactus soil.

Nestle each little succulent into the soil. If you’ve got smaller ones, a pair of chopsticks are a fantastic tool for getting your plants securely into place. Once you’ve got them where you’d like them, you can add in a few decorative accents to fill up any bare gaps. 

How Often Should You Water a Succulent Terrarium

You won’t need to water your terrarium as much as you do with your regular potted plants, because they create their own humid microclimate within their glass containers. Every two weeks, provide a small amount of water—watch it drain to the bottom, and make sure it doesn’t exceed one inch of water. 

In the summer from May until September, fertilize once per month with a water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength. This means that every second time you water, you’ll want to mix fertilizer into the water. 

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4 Cool Succulent Terrarium Ideas You’ll Love

Want to give your botanical display that perfect personal touch? Here are some cool ways to reimagine the traditional design and create something that really speaks to you.

Get Creative with Sand Art

Instead of using plain sand on the bottom, try layering some colored sand to make beautiful sand art! The swirly, wavy effect is so cool, and with the right colors you can create something really beautiful with little effort. Check out your local craft store, or browse online to see if you can find some pretty sand in a few colors that go nicely together, like teal, purple and blue, or red, orange and gold. 

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Hanging Terrariums

Since their recent surge in popularity, it’s been much easier to find a variety of interesting and creative containers made specifically for terrariums. One style we particularly love is the hanging glass container! They tend to be smaller, so you can even create a few little ones to hang in one large window on different lengths of string, for a whimsical display that really brings the boho vibes.  

Add Crystal Accents

If you love the look of colorful, shiny crystals and geodes, you can just as easily use these materials instead of regular rocks! Find some small, lightweight crystals like rose quartz or amethyst, and experiment with different textures—smooth, shiny crystals will have a much different effect than raw crystals with distinctive shapes. 

Wall Mounted Terrariums

To make a wall-mounted container for your succulents, purchase a metal tin with a transparent lid that isn’t more than a few inches deep, but is at least 6 inches wide. Use a dremel knife to slice out half of the transparent lid. The bottom, intact half of the lid will help to contain all the sand and pebbles when the container is mounted to the wall, and the cutout portion will allow your succulents to spread out and trail down. 


Want to try and make your own? Visit Living Color Garden Center to see all the spectacular succulents in all shapes and sizes, ready to go to their new homes! We’ve got plenty of containers and supplies in-store, so you can find everything you need here for this cool creative project.  

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