Plant people are easy to buy for in one way and hard in another: they love anything green, but they usually own the obvious things already. A glass terrarium is the gift that tends to be missing from the windowsill. It gives a small plant a home of its own, looks good on a desk or shelf, and needs very little looking after. Here are our picks by budget, what to plant in each, and how to make the gift feel complete.
The short answer
Under £10, the mini terrarium on natural tung wood at £7.75. Around £20, one of the brass-finish geometrics, such as the large pentagon or octagon at £19.95. For a showpiece, the large diamond at £29 or a green-tinted vase terrarium in dark tung wood from £35. Our terrariums come without plants, so add an air plant or a little moss.
£10 and under
Mini terrarium on natural tung wood, £7.75
About 13cm tall, clear glass on a light-toned tung wood base, with room for one air plant, a small succulent or a sprig of moss. It is the easiest stocking filler for a plant lover and sits happily on a bedside table or a desk. See the mini terrarium.
Small terrarium on natural tung wood, £10
A small open globe of clear glass, about 13 x 13cm, with room for an air plant with sand and a few pebbles, or a small succulent. See the small terrarium.
£12 to £20
Small diamond glass terrarium, £12
Clear glass panels in a brass-finish geometric frame with an open top, about 14.5cm tall: a neat home for an air plant on a shelf. See the small diamond.
Also at £12: the medium terrarium on natural tung wood, an open glass globe about 15 x 15cm, and the small shaped terrarium on dark tung wood, about 12 x 13cm.
Cube on corner terrarium, £16.95
A glass cube in a brass-finish frame, balanced on one point and about 10.5cm across. It looks considered planted or empty. See the cube on corner.
Large terrarium on natural tung wood, £18
An open glass globe about 17 x 19cm, enough for a small scene of moss, a succulent and pebbles. See the large terrarium.
Medium shaped terrarium on dark tung wood, £18.50
An open, airy glass vessel on a dark tung wood base, about 16 x 18cm, as happy with a single air plant as with a small arrangement of succulents and moss. See the medium shaped terrarium.
Lantern glass terrarium, £19
A slim lantern of clear panels in a brass-finish frame, about 20cm tall, with an open top for an air plant on a narrow shelf. See the lantern terrarium.
Large pentagon or octagon terrarium, £19.95
The two larger geometrics: the pentagon is tall, about 20.5cm, and the octagon is low and wide, about 15cm across. Both are open at the top and take an air plant or two with sand and pebbles.
Over £20
Medium ball top terrarium on dark tung wood, £24
A clear glass vessel on a dark tung wood base, closed with a wooden ball stopper, about 17 x 22cm. Its roomy, rounded interior suits a small scene of moss and pebbles with the stopper in, or succulents with it lifted out. See the medium ball top.
Large diamond glass terrarium, £29
Our largest geometric, about 20 x 22 x 19cm in a brass-finish frame with an open top, and room for a small fern, an air plant and a cushion of moss together. A real centrepiece for a console or sideboard. See the large diamond.
Glass vase terrariums in dark tung wood, £35 and £45
A slim, wavy vase of green-tinted glass set into a block of dark tung wood, about 23cm tall, or 32cm for the large one. It holds an air plant on moss, a cutting in water or a few stems, so it doubles as a vase. See the vase terrarium and the large vase terrarium.
Extra large ball top terrarium on dark tung wood, £45
About 23 x 23cm, with the same wooden ball stopper: our roomiest terrarium, for a statement moss landscape on a wide windowsill or table. See the extra large ball top.
What to plant in it
- Air plants need no soil and like airflow: sit them on sand or pebbles in an open terrarium and soak them every week or two. Our air plant care guide explains the routine.
- Moss makes a soft green carpet, and preserved moss needs no care at all.
- Small succulents want a bright spot and very little water.
- Small ferns prefer gentle light and a little more humidity.
If you are unsure which plant suits which vessel, see the best plants for a terrarium; open vs closed terrariums sets out the difference, and our glass terrarium guide covers planting step by step.
Making the gift complete
- Add a plant. Our terrariums come empty, so pick up an air plant or a small succulent from a garden centre, or leave the choice to the recipient.
- Add the extras. A bag of decorative sand, a few pebbles and a little moss turn an empty terrarium into a ready-to-plant kit.
- Write a care note. One line on light and watering helps the plant through its first month.
- Make a pair. A terrarium beside a small flower vase on wood makes a pretty windowsill pair.
Delivery
We dispatch within 1 to 2 working days, and UK delivery is a flat £4.99, usually arriving 3 to 5 working days after dispatch. Carriers get busy in December, so order early for Christmas.
Common questions
What is a good gift for someone who loves plants?
A glass terrarium: it gives a small plant a home of its own, needs little care and looks good on a desk or shelf. Add an air plant or a little moss so it is ready to enjoy.
Do your terrariums come with plants?
No. They come empty, so you can choose the plant yourself or leave it to the recipient.
What are the terrariums made of?
Glass, either as clear panels in a soldered brass-finish frame or as a vessel on a tung wood base. Most are clear glass; the two vase terrariums set into dark tung wood are green-tinted glass.
Which terrarium is best for an air plant?
An open one with good airflow. The geometric designs in brass-finish frames all have open tops, and the glass globes on natural tung wood are open too.
Browse every piece in our glass terrariums collection, see our desk terrariums page, or find more ideas among our gifts under £20.
