If you've ever wanted a garden you can hold in your hands, this is your moment. Terrariums are one of our favourite festive projects — fun, creative, calming to build and incredibly rewarding to watch develop over time. And just quietly, they make the most heartfelt handmade gifts. Whether you’re crafting one for a loved one or making a little green sanctuary for yourself, the process is wonderfully satisfying and surprisingly simple.
Choose your vessel
This is where the magic begins. We have a beautiful range of open and closed glass terrarium vessels in store, from compact desk-friendly bowls to breathtaking statement pieces. Open terrariums allow air to circulate, keeping the environment dry and warm – perfect for succulents and cacti. Closed terrariums trap in moisture and create a lush, humid ecosystem, ideal for ferns, mosses, pilea and tropical miniatures. Hold a few, imagine the landscape you want to build inside, and choose the one that speaks to you.
Gather your supplies
Now comes the fun bit — the ingredients. You’ll want pebbles for drainage, horticultural charcoal to help keep everything fresh and balanced, a light and airy terrarium potting mix, and, if you like, some sphagnum moss or decorative gravel for finishing touches. Then of course, your plants: think ferns, pilea, fittonia, peperomia, mosses, or miniature succulents depending on the style of terrarium you’re creating. Choose plants that will happily coexist in the same environment to ensure long-term harmony.
Start layering
This is where your terrarium begins to form its personality. Begin with your pebbles to create drainage, sprinkle over your charcoal to purify and stabilise, then gently add your terrarium mix on top. Settle your plants in, positioning them thoughtfully so they have space to grow and fill out. Once they’re tucked in comfortably, add your finishing touch — a cushion of moss, a sprinkle of gravel, or a decorative flourish that makes you smile. It’s like styling a tiny, living room made of leaves and roots.
Stand back and admire your handiwork
Yes, you. You did that. And it looks incredible. A tiny living landscape, low-maintenance, elegant, and entirely unique. The best part? You simply get to enjoy watching it settle, grow, and find its rhythm. They make spectacular gifts and equally delightful desk companions — but be warned, once people see yours, they’ll want to make their own too.
We’ve got everything you need here at Harmony — vessels, plants, moss, pebbles, inspiration, and friendly guidance if you'd like a hand. Pop in, choose your favourites, and build yourself a little green universe in glass. It’s a beautiful way to slow down, get creative, and reconnect with the natural world.
Watch our clever Indi create a terrarium below
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