Basic Terrarium Care
How to Care for your Terrarium: A Complete Guide
The first step to owning a terrarium is adhering to the correct lighting needs. Good lighting is essential for photosynthesis – a process where plants use light energy to create their own food for growth and survival. Without the correct lighting, your plants will start to die off and the ecosystem will begin to rot.
The best types of lighting for a terrarium are:
Bright indirect light
Bright indirect light means your terrarium should have an unobstructed sky view without direct sun rays hitting the glass.
You want to avoid putting your terrarium in direct sun as this will increase the temperature inside which will have a negative effect on the ecosystem.
If your terrarium is sitting in direct sun, it’s best to open the lid to reduce heat. Limit sun exposure to no longer than 2 consecutive hours.
Filtered/Dappled light
This is direct sun rays that have been diffused through either a sheer curtain or dappled through blinds.
This type of lighting is very good for terrariums as it mimics the lighting of forests (dappled light through the tree tops). The added streaks of direct sun account for stronger plant growth, while still maintaining a cool temperature from the added shade. This lighting technique does need heat regulation monitoring (opening the lid to reduce heat may be necessary).
A common misconception about terrariums is that terrariums require no care. While these ecosystems may sustain themselves, some extra care and maintenance is needed to ensure a healthy environment.
Monthly maintenance should include the following steps:
1. Cleaning the glass to ensure maximum light exposure
Make sure to clean both the outside and inside of the terrarium glass. This will not only ensure maximum light exposure, it will also prevent algaes and unwanted fungi growing on the glass (they are attracted to the moisture on the glass).
2. Trim/prune plant growth to encourage fuller growth patterns
Trim any unwanted growth, leaves pressing against the glass and any growth that is a bit leggy. When plants are pruned it encourages branching which makes plants appear bushier.
3. Removal of any decaying matter and a quick mould check
It’s natural for older leaves to die off as new leaves develop. If a dying leaf is left in a terrarium it will begin to decay and fungus will begin its decomposition process – this can create an imbalance in the ecosystem as fungus will start to take over. To prevent this, simply remove any dead plant matter.
Fungus is apart of any ecosystem and it may seem scary, but it’s easy to fix with the right monitoring.
Problems you may face with your terrarium
Mould in your terrarium is usually an issue of insufficient lighting.
If your terrarium is not getting sufficient light it will not be able to create an efficient water cycle, thus leaving water stagnant and your terrarium substrate (soil layers) soggy. The soggy substrate will become the perfect feeding ground for fungus.
You can manage mould in the following ways:
1. Remove any mould growing in your terrarium and locate the source of it. This could be fungus growing on a piece of wood, plant or moss.
2. Air out your terrarium for 12-48 hours. This will regulate oxygen levels as decaying plant matter produces excess carbon dioxide which makes the air acidic.
3. Up the light exposure and add in some filtered light into your terrarium environment. This will help regulate water cycles and the added direct sun rays will help keep mould at bay.
