Care Guide
Cultivated Quiet. DO less. WATCH more.
Closed Terrarium Care
Don't open it. The lid stays on unless you're troubleshooting.
The Primary Rule
Lighting
Your terrarium needs 8–12 hours of indirect light daily.
- North or east-facing windows: within 1 metre
- South or west-facing windows: 1–2 metres distance
- Grow light: 30–40cm away, full spectrum
Reading the Fog
Light condensation in the morning and evening, with clear glass during the day — that's the ideal. Your terrarium's condensation patterns tell you everything about its health.
Watering
Your terrarium has self-sustaining potential — the sealed water cycle means it manages its own moisture day-to-day. Occasional top-ups are needed as the reservoir gradually depletes over weeks to months.
When to water: When water covers less than one-third to one-half of the bottom pebbles.
Water type: To be confirmed — contact us if unsure.
Method: Slow pour via pipette.
Troubleshooting
Light fog, morning and evening
The ideal. Clear glass through the day. Nothing to do.
Glass is misty all day
Too wet. Vent for 2–4 hours. Repeat daily until balanced.
No daily fog cycle
Too dry. Add water via pipette. Mist lightly.
Tiny white creatures (likely springtails)
Generally considered beneficial. Leave them be, and contact us if you're unsure.
How It Works
Strategic Grace — The Setup Layers
Top layer. Root establishment zone.
Part of the substrate infrastructure.
Mesh separating earth from water.
Reservoir. River stones and pebbles. Roots stay above; humidity rises from below.
The Water Cycle
A sealed terrarium creates a closed-loop water cycle — moisture circulates between soil, plants, and glass, sustaining the ecosystem with minimal intervention.
Soil & reservoir
Through leaves
On cool glass
Drips down walls
What Lives Inside
Each terrarium is planted with species selected for their compatibility in a closed, humid environment. These are the categories Kirsten works with.
Foundation
Mosses
The living carpet. Mosses anchor the substrate, regulate moisture at the surface, and define the visual texture of the terrarium floor.
- Cushion Moss
- Sheet Moss
- Java Moss
Accent
Tropicals
Colour and contrast. These compact tropicals thrive in the sealed humid environment and provide visual focal points among the green.
- Fittonia (Nerve Plant)
- Polka Dot Plant
- String of Turtles
Structure
Ferns
Height and form. Ferns create vertical interest and layer depth into the composition without overwhelming the scale of a closed vessel.
- Button Fern
- Maidenhair Fern
- Rabbit's Foot Fern
Open Terrariums
Open terrariums require a different kind of attention. Without a sealed environment, moisture doesn't recirculate — these vessels depend on regular misting and closer observation of soil moisture levels.
Detailed open terrarium care instructions are coming soon. In the meantime, get in touch if you have questions about caring for an open vessel.
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