The air is getting crisp, final preparations are taking place in order to put gardens to bed for the winter and green thumb enthusiasts everywhere are moaning over the impending arrival of Old Man Winter.  As we lug our houseplants indoors and watch their leaves fall onto the rug from the shocking blow of at home conditions, the dry air produced by fans propelling heated warmth and less sunlight and humidity.  It can most assuredly be a time of mourning for plant fondlers everywhere.  However, there is no need to despair in fact this is the time to try your gardening genius with the perfect at home remedy, the terrarium.  Terrariums are an easy way to grow indoors with flora housed in glass, they are practically fool proof and are a fascinating bio system working with the elements given right there in a clear, glass container.  These tiny Microsystems replicate the photosynthesis organizations found in the outdoor world with sunlight, moisture, chlorophyll, carbon dioxide coming in and oxygen going out.  The controlled nature of these biospheres permits them to be extraordinarily self-sufficient and hence making them fascinating to observe.

Not only are terrariums a wonderful way to feed the need for a lush, horticultural presence deep in the winter months but these windows to the world of plant life are also exciting vehicles to express your creativity as well.  They are miniature forests to some degree, you can create a nautical theme, or put broken, delicate pieces of china, maybe castles, or a lost civilization, or perhaps a chinoiserie to accompany your Asian flair.  These small worlds need only be as limited as your imagination.

Terrariums came to be quite on accident.  In the 1827 Dr. Nathaniel Ward, a London physician and plant enthusiast, was studying and experimenting with the cocoons of the sphinx moth in covered, glass jars when he observed a tiny plant growing in the soil, noticing that it was a fern he became very excited.  Dr. Ward had tried to grow ferns in his London residence but the smog of the city squelched their growth but here in this contained environment a fern was coming out of the dirt.  He experimented successfully with covered containers for four years, putting a lid on the once-established ecosystem and then simply walking away, in many cases not watering these terrariums ever.  Soon, these covered containers became popular and were coined the Wardian cases, the first terrariums.  Horticulturists would use the Wardian cases to transport sensitive plants across the perilous oceans with salt air and unpredictable climate conditions the Wardian cases opened new doors to the study of flora.  Wardian cases became a mainstay for growing plants as well and were even a sign of affluence, while the privileged would recreate miniature Taj Mahals and Brighton Pavilions, it was a perfect marriage of a fantasy world and living plants.  The fad hit the United States by the 1860’s where any self-respecting Victorian household kept a Wardian case thriving.

Today terrariums are rather rare to come across, however if you have a gorgeous glass container with a lid or not, you might throw your hat into the terrarium ring, after all it is almost a sure bet at a beautiful indoor garden.  Laurie Nisley, the Houseplant Department Manager for Heifner Nursery, explains how to get started, “It is important to create a water reservoir by layering gravel and horticultural charcoal under potting soil.  The soil should be peat-based with a little perlite or sand mixed in.  Always water thoroughly across the surface and down to the bottom.  Water when the soil is dry and there is no condensation on the sides of the terrarium.”  David Jackson, President of Jackson’s Greenhouse & Garden Center Inc., adds, “You will need good, bright, indirect light (no direct sunlight).  Once flora is planted properly and placed in the correct location, there is virtually no care needed.”

A terrarium with a lid will produce more algae on the sides of the glass but once established never needs water again, a terrarium without a lid will require occasional watering but should boast more visibility into the miniature world.  So, what sort of plants should a gardener sow in this petite, self-contained ecosystem?  Nisley states, “I try to keep the size of the plant in proportion to the container.  I recommend selecting compact, slow-growing plants and plants that have small leaves, or are simple to snip back to retain their shape.”  Jackson’s choices for the perfect terrarium flora, he advises, “Plants that do well include baby tears, pepperomia, lipstick or shrimp plants, pileas, hoyas, miniature jade and other small succulents, plus a slew of others.”  And of course, most tropical plants will thrive in a terrarium as it is an ideal setting for them with the high humidity emulating a rain forest and the natural warmth created from the enclosed space.

So, don’t despair gardeners instead create this miniature world of wonder this winter.  While the snow accumulates on the window panes you can turn your attentions to this fascinating, little rain forest flourishing indoors.