A terrarium is one of the easiest things in the house to dress for Christmas: a handful of moss, a few pine cones and something that sparkles turn a glass box into a small winter scene. Here are ten ways to decorate a terrarium for Christmas, from a snowy woodland floor to hanging geometric terrariums in a window, plus how to keep any living plant inside happy while it is dressed up. Prices were correct when we published this guide, and each product page always shows the current price.
The short answer
Start with a base of preserved moss or white sand, add one focal piece such as a mini bottle-brush tree or a pine cone, and finish with a little sparkle: a couple of small baubles or a string of battery micro lights. Keep it simple, leave room for the glass to show, and use battery lights rather than candles, because moss and pine cones catch easily.
1. A woodland floor
Cover the base in preserved moss, then add two or three small pine cones, a sprig of fir and an acorn or two. Preserved moss stays green without water, so the scene lasts all season. A geometric terrarium such as the cube on corner (£16.95) frames it beautifully.
2. A snowy scene
Pour in a layer of fine white sand as snow and stand a mini bottle-brush tree in it, with a scatter of tiny white pebbles. In a tall terrarium like the lantern (£19, about 20cm tall), two trees of different heights look like a winter forest.
3. An air plant as the tree
An upright air plant on white sand looks remarkably like a little evergreen. Add a single tiny bauble at its feet and you have a living Christmas tree that needs only a soak every week or two. Our guide to air plant care in winter covers the rest.
4. Micro lights
A string of battery micro lights, the fine wire kind, coiled loosely over moss or sand makes a terrarium glow on a dark afternoon. Tuck the battery box behind the terrarium or hide it under the moss. Never put a candle or tealight among moss, pine cones or other decorations.
5. A few small baubles
Two or three matte baubles in one colour, nestled into moss, look calmer than a mix. The large diamond (£29) and the large pentagon (£19.95) have room for a bauble beside a plant.
6. A moss landscape under a ball top
For a living scene that lasts well beyond Christmas, plant real cushion moss and a small fern in a ball top terrarium and add a pine cone or two. With the ball top on, the extra large ball top (£45) or the medium ball top (£24) hold in the humidity moss loves. Our guide to making a moss terrarium takes you through the planting step by step.
7. Hang them in the window
Several of our geometric terrariums, including the small diamond, the large pentagon and the lantern, have a hanging loop on top, so a few on ribbons at different heights in a window look like oversized decorations. The small diamond (£12) is light enough for a sturdy hook; secure each one well and keep them where they will not be knocked.
8. A row down the table
Three small terrariums down the middle of the Christmas table, each with moss and a pine cone, make a low centrepiece that guests can see over. The mini (£7.75) and small (£10) terrariums on tung wood work well together. Our Christmas table centrepiece ideas have more.
9. A winter windowsill
A terrarium of white sand, pebbles and an air plant on a frosty windowsill looks right from November to February. Keep it a little back from the cold glass on frosty nights. See our windowsill decor ideas.
10. Give one as a kit
A terrarium, an air plant or a bag of preserved moss, a few pine cones and a one-line care note make a thoughtful present. Our gifts for plant lovers guide sorts the terrariums by budget. Plants are not included with any terrarium.
Keeping living plants happy
- Leave space. Decorations should not smother an air plant or block the air it needs; keep them around the plant, not on it.
- Take it out to soak. Lift an air plant out to water it and let it dry fully before it goes back among the decorations.
- Keep moss and air plants apart. Real moss likes humidity and suits a closed ball top; air plants need an open terrarium.
- Undress it after Twelfth Night. Take the decorations out in January and let the plant enjoy the light.
Common questions
How do you decorate a terrarium for Christmas?
Start with preserved moss or white sand, add one focal piece such as a mini bottle-brush tree, a pine cone or an air plant, and finish with a small bauble or a string of battery micro lights.
Can you put fairy lights in a terrarium?
Yes, battery micro lights on a fine wire work well. Hide the battery box behind or under the moss, and switch them off when you go out.
Can you put a candle in a decorated terrarium?
No. Moss, pine cones, dried stems and paper decorations catch easily, so use battery lights in a decorated terrarium.
What can I put in a terrarium besides plants?
Sand, pebbles, preserved moss, pine cones, acorns, small baubles and mini bottle-brush trees all look good, and none need watering.
Browse every glass terrarium, or read the best plants for a terrarium for the living version all year round.
