Quick Care
1. Set in a Safe Place in a Well-Lit Room
- Ambient light or grow-lights on a timer (4-6 hrs) work fine for terrariums. If placed near or on windowsill, make sure the sun is NOT directly hitting the glass for more than 1-3 hours. Penetrating sun-rays get magnified and cause a rapid humidity increase.
2. Limit the Times you Open the Container
- Try not to remove the lid more than 3 times a month. Doing so can offset moisture cycling and lead to issues. Only remove the lid for a few hours if big droplets are forming under normal lighting condition.
3. Rotate the Container
- Condensation will begin to gather on one side of the glass daily. Be sure to turn the container at least once week to insure good health. Every 3-5 days is ideal.
Excessive Condensation
- Closed Terrariums cycle their moisture in phases, so some condensation is normal.
- Persistent droplet formation on all sides of container is likely a lighting issue.
- Large droplets concentrated towards the top of the container could mean excess moisture.
- Excess Humidity and poor light conditions can facilitate fungal growth (not ideal).
Too Much Light
- Large moisture droplets on all sides of glass (sweating).
- Leaves that are facing the light turn brown (burning).
- Moss/Soil looks extremely dry.
- MAKE SURE GLASS IS NOT IN PATH OF SUN.
- ROTATE MORE OFTEN.
- KEEP GLASS AWAY FROM EXTERNAL HEAT SOURCES.
Not Enough Light
- Plants begin to turn brown and/or pale and lanky.
- Fuzzy white fungus or other molds start appearing.
- Moss looks Soggy/brown.
- RELOCATE OR PUT A SMALL LAMP NEARBY.
- REMOVE LID FOR 10 MINUTES.
- GIVE TERRARIUM 1 WEEK TO ADJUST TO NEW LIGHTING CONDITIONS.
Fungus and Molds
- Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungus, of which there all different kinds are present in living soil.
- Molds on the other hand can be a sign that your terrarium is having issues that need to be addressed sooner than later.
- Fungus and Molds almost always follow a change in moisture flow. Try to find the cause to help your terrarium stay healthy.
Sometimes Mushroom Can Appear
- In some cases mushrooms are a sign of a balanced ecosystem at work.
- Their bodies decay though, leaving a residue behind.
- Can be an issue if affecting pants or releasing spores that coat everything.
- IF NECESSARY, SAFELY REMOVE MUSHROOM.
- LEAVING IT'S BODY TO DEGRADE IS OKAY TOO (Especially if there’s critters in there)
What The Fuzz
- Molds are recognizable by their cloudy appearance.
- They will interrupt photosynthesis if spread increases.
- Usually a sign of imbalance (Light/Humidity).
- REMOVE LID FOR 30 - 90 MINUTES AND RELOCATE TO BRIGHTER AREA.
- DAB FUNGUS WITH PAPER TOWEL, IF POSSIBLE.
Long Lasting Life
A healthy terrarium can last years, even decades!
- Once the terrarium has settled in, look at the moss, plant leaves, or visible topsoil. Are they moist or are they dry and browning? Are the lower level drainage rocks bone-dry?
- Over time terrariums can loose/use a good deal of the moisture and it may be necessary to give them some water. If the terrarium is doing well, it will only need water 1 - 3 times per-year, depending on its age and light exposure.
How to Add Water
- ONLY USE PURIFIED OR DISTILLED WATER.
- LEAVE CONTAINER OPEN FOR 30 MINUTES AFTER WATERING.
- Large containers over 2 Gallons: 4 to 15 Fluid Ounces.
- Medium containers around 1 Gallon: 3 to 6 Fluid Ounces.
- Small containers under a Gallon: 1/2 to 4 Fluid Ounces.
- Aim for exposed rocks if using spray bottle, and avoid getting leaves wet.
Excessive Growth
- Clean snippers with isopropyl before cutting.
- Remove lid when ready and prune crammed or dead leaves.
- Make sure to remove all material that you cut.
- SANITIZE TOOLS BETWEEN USE.
- CUT 1/3 OF GROWTH TO THE NEAREST NODE.
- LEAVE CONTAINER OPEN FOR 30 - 90 MINUTES.