The right planter will set off an ordinary houseplant, while unusual glassware highlights simple terrariums (typically adorned with bizarre odds and ends.) With such an abundance of odd, fantastical, beautiful, and eclectic vessels at Goodwill, it’s a wonder that plant nurseries get all the hype for their planters.
Almost anything can be turned into a planter (with thought given to the size, type, and soil requirements for the plant you would like to display). Cups, bowls, wide vases, mason jars, and pitchers all make for interesting planters.
Some plants require more drainage than others, and those plants would probably prefer to have a hole drilled in the bottom of their container (there are plenty of tutorials on how to do this safely online). But, being the novice gardener that I am, I thought it might be better to start with a terrarium.
Terrariums are easy to take care of and add a bit of environment and style to your home, office, wedding, or anywhere else you might want them.
To start your terrarium, look for a glass vessel and a cover at Goodwill. This terrarium, by Randy Bill, uses a glass bell jar with a ceramic dish, sitting in a silver tray.
To assemble your terrarium:
2. Next add a layer of carbon to filter the water in the terrarium, and keep the system clean (find at your local plant nursery).
3. Next add a layer of potting soil for ferns and mosses or succulent soil mix for succulents and cacti. These three layers should make up 1/3 of your terrarium.
4. Next arrange your plants (many you can gather outside) and accessories on top of the soil (starting with the largest plant) and avoid having plants touch the sides (they can easily get moldy from condensation).
5. Consider using unusual trinkets, like dinosaur figurines, tiny houses, larger rocks, twigs, etc. to create a miniature world within your terrarium (look in the toy and jewelry sections of Goodwill for inspiration.) This is a great summer project for kids.
6. Once you are happy with your arrangement pack the soil around your plants and spray the arrangement with water. (You want it to be damp, but not overly watered.
To maintain your terrarium once you’ve arranged it, cut out dead leaves, trim rapidly growing plants, and make sure it has enough water. Once the terrarium reaches equilibrium, it will nearly care for itself! Try different sizes, with different plants, or have a party and make them together with your friends.