DIY: SPOOKY TERRARIUMS

Now within 30 days of Halloween, it’s time to decorate and enjoy festive projects. Today, I present spooky terrariums, the perfect way to enjoy a crisp fall day creating a seasonal centerpiece. While there is a science to building a terrarium with live plants, this project is about the Halloween-inspired landscaping. Layer rocks, sand, soil, and moss in a jar then have fun building out a diorama that tells a ghost story you can enjoy all month long.

Ingredient Ideas:

Dirt (recommend a well-draining potting mix)

Sand

Moss

Rocks

Glow in the dark gravel

Plants

Faux bugs

Mini skeletons or bones

Tiny tombstones or painted rocks

Rubber rats

Foam eyeballs

Container

Terrarium Tip:

Creating a small ecosystem in a jar is nifty but sourcing specific plants can be expensive. You don’t have to add real plants to your terrarium; you can simply build a miniature graveyard landscape if you prefer to avoid ongoing maintenance. If you are using live plants, be mindful about how much water they need. For example, a cactus will not thrive in a humid environment like a mason jar with the lid sealed. For this project, we pulled a variety of common house plants from our local garden store-pothos, spider plants, aloe, moss, ferns, hens and chicks-to give options for higher moisture environments and drier conditions.

Terrarium Tip:

Make it work with any type of vessel-a mason jar, a vase, a beaker, a bowl, a fancy Wardian case. Something with a narrow opening will limit air flow as well as maneuverability when adding the spooky bits. A shallow bowl may make a better landscape for a haunted fairy garden whereas a tall vase gives the opportunity to bury a skeleton underground. Upcycle and give new life (or, in this case, death) to old glassware.