terrarium
A terrarium is an indoor recreation of an outdoor environment.
Typically six or more different, interesting plants are
displayed in a glass enclosure. It can be fun exploring a wooded
area searching for just the right plant to add to the terrarium.
There is much less light inside a house than outdoors. Plants
growing in wooded areas are types which do well in low light.
Use woodland plants for a terrarium. Meadow, prarie and desert
plants need more light. Mosses, lichens and ferns are good
choices. Some are unusual and striking. The British soldier
lichen has upright stems ending in brillant red. The cup
lichen, shaped as its name suggests, seems fanciful. If you
are able to search a wooded area for plants, you probably
will find some to your liking. Taking plants from parks and
most public land is not allowed.
A glass aquarium makes a good terrarium. You could also use
a large jar. Put about 2 inches of soil from a wooded area on
the bottom of the terrarium. Place the plants into the soil so
that the soil level on the plant is the same as it was before
you dug it up. The plants will do better if you can move them
along with a large chunk of undisturbed soil. That way less
roots will be broken. Small plants will do better because
more of a small plant's roots can be taken with the plant.
Keep the soil of the terrarium moist not soggy. If the
terrarium is closed you will need to water less often because
less water will be lost to the air. Place the terrarium near
a window so that the plants get enough light.