A glass terrarium is one of the simplest ways to bring a little living greenery into a room. It is a clear glass container, open or partly enclosed, that holds plants along with a layer of substrate, sand or pebbles. The glass lets light reach the plants and lets you see every detail of leaf, stone and form, so a small planting becomes a quiet focal point on a shelf, sill or table.
This guide covers what a glass terrarium actually is, the two main styles to choose between, what to plant in an open versus a closed one, how to build one step by step, and how to look after it. The aim is a calm, nature-led piece you will enjoy for years, not a fiddly project. Plants are not included with our terrariums, so you can choose exactly what suits your space.
What is a glass terrarium?
At its heart, a terrarium is a clear glass vessel that frames a small living arrangement. Because the glass is transparent, light passes through to the plants inside and you see the planting from every angle. That combination of clear glass and living greenery is what makes a terrarium feel so restful: it brings a touch of the outdoors in, in a form small enough to sit anywhere.
Our glass terrariums come in two main styles, and the right one depends as much on the look you want as on what you plan to grow.
Geometric, brass-framed terrariums. These are made from clear glass panels held in a slim brass-toned frame, often shaped into a diamond, lantern or faceted form. The framework gives them a crisp, architectural edge that suits modern and characterful interiors alike. The Large Diamond is a generous, sculptural piece for a console or sideboard, while the Lantern Shape has a softer, more decorative outline that reads almost like a piece of lighting when it catches the light.
Clear glass on a tung wood base. These pair a rounded clear glass vessel with a turned wooden stand made from tung wood, so the glass appears to float just above the surface it sits on. The warmth of the timber against the clarity of the glass gives them a natural, grounded feel. The Medium Ball Top on Dark Tung Wood makes a lovely centrepiece, and the Mini on Natural Tung Wood is perfect for a desk, bedside table or windowsill where space is tight.
Choosing the right terrarium for your space
Start with where it will live. A larger geometric piece like the Large Diamond earns its place on a sideboard, mantel or dining table where it has room to be admired. A mini terrarium on a wooden base slips neatly onto a desk, a stack of books or a narrow shelf, adding greenery without crowding the surface.
Think about light, too. Most of the plants people choose for terrariums prefer bright but indirect light, so a spot near a window that does not sit in harsh midday sun is ideal. Glass can magnify strong direct light and warm the air inside, so a little distance from a south-facing pane is kinder to delicate leaves.
Finally, let the style of the piece guide you. The brass-framed forms lean architectural and graphic; the glass-on-wood pieces feel softer and more organic. Both sit comfortably alongside natural materials, so a terrarium settles in easily next to wood, stone, linen and ceramics.
What to plant: open and closed terrariums
The biggest decision is whether your terrarium will be open or closed, because it shapes what will thrive inside. An open terrarium has plenty of airflow and stays relatively dry, which suits plants that like things on the drier side. A closed or partly enclosed terrarium traps humidity, creating a moist little microclimate that moisture-loving plants enjoy.
Air plants are a brilliant, low-effort choice for open, well-ventilated terrariums. They take what they need from the air rather than from soil, so you can simply rest them on a bed of sand or pebbles, with no substrate required. They are forgiving and easy to rearrange whenever the mood takes you.
Succulents also belong in open terrariums with good airflow and a free-draining base. They store water in their leaves and dislike sitting damp, so they reward a light hand with watering and plenty of light. Their sculptural rosettes look wonderful framed by clear glass.
Moss is the classic choice for a closed or partly covered terrarium, where the higher humidity keeps it lush and green. Moss, along with small ferns and leafy cuttings, thrives in that gentle, enclosed environment. You can also use a terrarium purely decoratively, styling it with pebbles, sand, shells or a few cuttings in water, with no permanent planting at all.
How to make a terrarium, step by step
Building a terrarium is a calm, satisfying half hour. Here is a simple approach that works for most open planting schemes.
1. Clean the glass. Give the inside a wipe so it is clear and free of dust. A clean start keeps the finished planting looking crisp.
2. Add a drainage layer. For succulents and most soil-based plantings, begin with a shallow layer of small pebbles or fine gravel. With no drainage hole in the glass, this base gives excess water somewhere to settle, away from the roots.
3. Add a thin layer of substrate. Spoon in a little free-draining compost suited to your plants, such as a gritty succulent mix. Keep it shallow and tidy; you are creating a setting, not filling the vessel.
4. Position your plants. Settle each plant gently into the substrate, starting with the largest and working outward. For air plants, simply rest them on sand or pebbles, since they need no soil at all. Leave a little breathing space between plants so each has room.
5. Finish the surface. Top with decorative sand, pebbles or a few small stones to neaten the surface and hold everything in place. This final layer is what gives a terrarium its polished, considered look.
6. Water lightly and place it. Mist air plants or give succulents a small drink, then set the terrarium in bright, indirect light. Less water is almost always better than more.
Simple terrarium care
One of the joys of a terrarium is how little it asks of you. Light is the first thing to get right: bright, indirect light keeps most plants happy, while harsh direct sun can scorch leaves through the glass. A gentle quarter-turn now and then helps growth stay even.
Water sparingly. Succulents need only an occasional small drink once the substrate has dried out, and air plants are happy with a regular misting or a brief soak every week or two, left to dry fully afterwards. Closed, moss-filled terrariums need very little water at all, since the trapped humidity recycles moisture; if the glass mists up heavily for long, simply open it for a while to let it breathe.
Beyond that, tidy away any tired leaves, keep the glass clean so the planting stays the star, and enjoy watching it settle in. With a light touch, a terrarium stays good-looking with only a few minutes of attention here and there.
Styling ideas for biophilic decor
Terrariums are a natural fit for biophilic decorating, the simple idea that bringing nature indoors makes a home feel calmer and more alive. A single terrarium softens a hard-working shelf, brings a desk to life, or adds a green note to a bathroom or hallway that might otherwise feel flat.
Group a few in different sizes for gentle impact: a Large Diamond anchoring a sideboard with a Mini on Natural Tung Wood nearby reads as a considered, collected arrangement rather than clutter. Vary the heights and let the planting differ slightly between them so each has its own character.
Lean into natural textures inside the glass, too. Pale sand, smooth pebbles, a piece of driftwood or a scattering of shells all complement the clarity of the glass and the warmth of the wood. Set against linen, timber and stone, a terrarium feels right at home, a small, living centrepiece that brings a little of the outdoors in. Browse the full glass terrariums collection to find the shape and scale that suits your space.
