For example, if you want to grow succulents, you might choose zebra haworthia, hens-and-chicks, and kalanchoe. [2] X Research source For a bottle garden with a moister environment, you could go for peace lilies, Fittonia, and Syngonium.
You can reuse your own containers, such as jam jars or glass milk jugs, or purchase a glass bottle online or from a craft store. If you choose to reuse a bottle, wash it thoroughly before adding plants. For easier planting, choose a jar or bottle with an opening large enough to allow your hand in. Otherwise, you can use a long pair of tweezers or chopsticks to insert the plants.
Ideally, your bottle should have a clear cover, such as a glass lid or stopper. However, a small cork stopper will also work if the bottle allows in enough light otherwise.
A container with straight sides and a wide opening, such as a jar, will allow for faster evaporation. If you still want a relatively humid environment but don’t want a completely closed ecosystem, choose a bottle with slanted or curved sides and a narrow opening.
You can buy horticultural grit or planting gravel online or from your local garden supply center.
For example, for succulents, use a 50/50 mixture of soil and sand, which won’t hold onto any excess moisture. For more moisture-loving plants, such as peace lilies, opt for a general-purpose houseplant soil that holds a little moisture while still draining well.
It can be helpful to moisten the soil slightly before you pour it in to prevent the sides of the bottle from getting dusty. [11] X Research source
For the best visibility, put low plants toward the front and taller ones at the back.
If the roots are extremely dense inside the original container, gently tease the root ball apart with your fingers. You can even trim away some of the roots to help encourage new roots to branch out.
If your bottle has a narrow opening, you may need to use tongs to insert the plants. Wrap the plants with paper before putting them in to protect the leaves as they pass through the opening. [15] X Research source Try to position the plants so their foliage doesn’t touch the sides of the bottle, since moisture will tend to accumulate on the interior walls. Too much moisture can make the leaves rot.
Patting down the soil will help remove air pockets and improve contact between the roots and the soil.
You can also use peat moss, gravel, polished pebbles, or sand. [18] X Research source
The curved sides of the bottle will help keep the inside of your container nice and moist between waterings. If you wish, you can put a lid on the bottle to maintain an even more humid environment. Alternatively, you can mist the plants instead of watering them. This will help wash off loose potting medium and prevent the soil from getting too sodden, especially if you already moistened it before planting. [20] X Research source
You can also use a grow light if your home doesn’t have any suitable windows.
If your bottle terrarium is closed, you probably won’t need to water it for at least 4-6 months. [24] X Research source If you’re growing succulents, let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
Mold can be a sign of an overly humid environment in the bottle. If you’re using a closed bottle for your garden, take off the cover for a few weeks to give it a chance to air out, especially if you notice mold along with fog or condensation on the glass.
Proactively trim or pinch off just the tips instead of pruning back most of the foliage after the plant has already gotten too tall. This will encourage healthier growth. Remember to disinfect your pruning tool with isopropyl alcohol to prevent the potential spread of disease to other plants.
