Bring the outdoors indoors with a terrarium

Terrariums can be used in either the sitting room, bedroom or home office and you can either place them on the table or use the hanging type.

What you need to know:

If you want to have an aquarium in your house but are afraid of taking care of the fish, you can opt for a closer alternative, the terrarium.

When it comes to décor, there are a number of options some of which are rarely used; such as the terrarium. This is a sealed transparent glass container in which plants are grown. The terrarium is ideal for people who want to have nature blend in with their contemporary or African décor and also act as a focal point in the house.

How it is set up
Glass terrariums can either be closed or open. But regardless of the type of glass you choose, you should opt for shade loving plants.
“For the closed glass, the plants used should be able to stand moisture but for an open terrarium, there is a provision for the glass to be easily slid back and forth to allow fresh air in and for easy maintenance thus giving you a wide range of plant options,” says Solomon Luyimbazi, a landscape gardener at Cidi school of landscaping and gardening, Muyenga.
Luyimbazi adds that short plants that do not have an expanded growth as well as slow growing plants are preferable because of the limited space in glass terrariums.
Potting soil is used which has a mixture of charcoal to keep the soil moist, sand and small stones for easy drainage and ready compost manure to keep the plants healthy and encourage growth.

Designing
This being a landscape feature, it should look like one. So the plant colours should blend and be of variety, a few rocks to create a mini rock garden with in the terrarium, thick grass and moss can be used for designing.
Susan Kafeero, an interior designer at living impressions, Kyanja, recommends positioning the terrarium in a space that is easily visible to anyone who comes into your house.
“An open space preferably at an empty wall end which has no attention seeking decorations or having the terrarium as your living room center piece will come off perfectly.”
Kafeero further says for the terrarium to look better in your living room, position it in a path where light comes through your living room. “This will make it stand out when the sun is rising and when it is setting. Alternatively, you can use artificial light to luminate the terrarium.”

Floating terrarium
Besides the glass box terrariums, you can also opt for a floating terrarium. This type is set up just like the glass box terrarium but in smaller sizes though shapely and are suspended from the ceiling.
“This type of décor is common in hotels but you can have it in your home as well though it should be used minimally because a home has limited space.”

MAINTENANCE
Luyimbazi advises that it is not recommended to water the plants directly or with a watering can as it will put the plants out of order and make the terrarium soggy, so you should just sprinkle with their hands.
Weeding should be done with small hand tools or by hand picking since there is little space to allow movement, also closing the terrarium in the night to keep it moist and opening it during day to release extra warmth is a good maintenance schedule.
Cleaning the glass on a regular basis is obvious so that it looks fresh and new to give off an appealing look.

Plants used
Moss
Ferns
Portullaca
Sygonium podophyllum
Cactus
Succulent

Shs 250,000

Average amount you will need to buy a rectangular glass, terrarium at cidi, muyenga

Terrarium will be a good choice

Nature has a calming effect . Therefore, having a terrarium in your home will help create this feeling. However, for it to serve the decor purpose, choose a beautiful and shapely glass. Additionally, the hanging terrarium looks better than the one you place on the table so it will be a better choice.