Creating a Budget-Friendly Terrarium (Possibly Without Spending Anything?)
Crafting a budget-friendly terrarium has never been easier! Here's a rundown of three key areas to keep your costs low: containers, plants, and layers.
Cheap Terrarium Glass Containers
- Kitchen Goldmine: Don't underestimate the potential of your pantry. Repurpose jars from mayonnaise, tequila, olives (or other condiments) for a terrarium with a lid— couldn't be simpler!
- Facebook Marketplace: Scour Facebook Marketplace for glass vases, containers, and even unwanted fish tanks. Use keywords like "glass container," "vase," and "fish tank" for stellar finds.
- Wedding Centerpieces: Tempting as it may be (but not recommended), refrain from snagging a centerpiece from a friend's wedding. Instead, reach out to vendors and see if they'll sell you their leftover glassware. Remember: patience + free hotel stay + fancy dress = ideal glass container!
- TJ Maxx & Ikea: Ikea is a treasure trove for cheap glassware. Combine a shopping spree with Swedish meatballs, or head to TJ Maxx for an array of affordable containers.
- Bonus - Makeshift Lids: If you find a lidless container, no worries! Wrap it in saran wrap for an airtight and transparent (and budget-friendly) solution. For a long-term fix, grab an acrylic lid from Etsy.
Cheap Terrarium Plants
- Plant Swap Facebook Groups: Trade your unwanted cactus, pothos, or other houseplants for terrarium-ready species in a plant swap Facebook group. This is a thriving community that's a must-join!
- Houseplant Cuttings: Take advantage of popular houseplants that are ideal for closed terrarium conditions. Propagate water, or split off sections for new plants from your ferns, pothos, philodendrons, or pileas.
- Garden Center Rescues: Scour the forgotten corner of the plant nursery for prisoners of neglect. Grab the sad calathea, aglaonema, or syngonium and nurse them back to health with patience and expertise.
- Bonus - Driveway Moss: Responsibly harvest moss from your property for use in your terrarium. Moss can thrive in tropical conditions and is worth splurging on for a touch of greenery.
Terrarium Layers
- Cost-Saving Drainage: Make use of inexpensive drainage materials like gravel from your front yard. Or, buy a small bag of Leca from an online shop for a more structured setup.
- Skip the Charcoal: While charcoal is a popular terrarium additive, it's not essential. If you'd rather save a few bucks, feel free to skip this layer in your budget-friendly build.
- High-Quality Substrate: Invest in quality soil for your terrarium. Cheap potting soil may save you cash upfront, but it will likely compromise the longevity of your project. Explore our tropical terrarium substrate for a long-lasting solution.
- Hardscape & Accessories: Choose budget-friendly decorative elements for your terrarium. Toys, crystals, sea glass, or pebbles you've collected over the years make great alternate options to traditional terrarium hardscape.
Don't forget to share your money-saving tips in the comments below! Let's all help each other create fabulous, budget-friendly terrariums. 🥰
- "Transform your home-and-garden area by creating a budget-friendly terrarium using repurposed jars from your pantry for the container and terrarium-ready plants from a plant swap Facebook group for the plants."
- "Enhance your lifestyle by setting up a terrarium with layers made from inexpensive materials like front yard gravel for drainage, Leca from an online shop for a structured setup, and DIY decorative elements such as pebbles collected over the years for hardscape and accessories."
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