The right position is one of the most important parts of terrarium care. Most tropical closed terrarium plants prefer bright, indirect light. A bright room is ideal, but strong direct sunlight can quickly heat the glass container. A closed glass terrarium can become too warm when placed in direct summer sun.
Where can you not place a plant terrarium?
- Directly in strong summer sunlight
- Directly above or next to a radiator
- Next to another strong heat source
- In a completely dark room
- In a position with extreme temperature changes
The best places for a plant terrarium
Good locations for a plant terrarium may include a bright shelf, sideboard, desk or table positioned away from harsh direct sunlight. Always consider the plants inside your specific terrarium. Different plant combinations can have slightly different requirements. For an open cactus or succulent terrarium, the light requirements may differ from those of a tropical closed terrarium. Check the care information for the plants included in your terrarium.
Watering a closed terrarium
One of the most frequently asked questions about terrariums is: how often should I water my terrarium? There is no universal watering schedule that works for every closed terrarium. The size of the bottle, number of plants, temperature, amount of light and existing moisture all influence how quickly a terrarium uses water.
The most important tip is to look at your terrarium before adding water. A closed terrarium should generally be watered sparingly. When there is enough moisture in the ecosystem, you may see light condensation on the glass at certain moments of the day. If the substrate remains moist and the plants look healthy, additional water may not be necessary.
If the terrarium appears consistently dry and there is no condensation for a longer period, it may need a small amount of water. Always follow the care instructions supplied with your terrarium. Urbanjngl tip: It is often easier to add a little more water later than to remove a large amount of excess water.
Condensation in a terrarium
Condensation is a normal part of a closed terrarium. Moisture evaporates and can collect on the cooler glass. Later, the water returns to the lower layers of the terrarium. A small amount of condensation at certain times of the day is generally normal.
However, if the glass remains completely covered in heavy condensation for a long time and you can barely see the plants, the terrarium may contain too much moisture. In this situation, check the specific care instructions for your terrarium. Temporarily opening the terrarium can help excess moisture escape. Wipe the inside of the glass when needed and remove dead plant material promptly.
The goal is balance: enough moisture for the plants, but not a constantly waterlogged environment.
