Terrariums have become quite popular décor being seen in everywhere from shops to chic restaurants. Ever wonder how exactly these tiny plant worlds work?
It all started in Victorian times a renowned physician Nathanial Bagshaw Ward was pursuing a passion for botany and conducting an experiment with moths. During his studies, he discovered that he could cultivate rare ferns inside a bottle. This led to the development of a glass vessel for nurturing imported plant specimens. The “Wardian Case” is the predecessor to today’s terrarium.
The Modern Terrarium
Terrariums are traditionally made of curved glass with a tight-fitting lid. Inside the glass a base is made up of gravel, charcoal, moss, and soil to support a mini ecosystem for moisture-loving plants. The plants draw moisture from the soil and evaporate it through their leaves, in a process known as transpiration. Water droplets form and drip down the sides of the container, returning to the soil mimicking nature’s rain cycle.
Terrariums whether created with succulents, cacti, or tropical plants are like tiny universes. There is something truly fascinating and beautiful about a self-contained ecosystem. Check out your local plant nurseries to create a tiny world of your own.
