Final Product:

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Materials:

• Clear glass container with an opening large enough to insert plants
• Gloves
• Clean 1⁄2- to 3⁄4-inch pebbles
• Bowl
• Dried sphagnum moss
• Dowel for tamping
• Moistened potting soil
• Wooden spoon
• Terrarium plants such as ferns, mini philodendrons, and palm seedlings
• Oversize tweezers
• Lichen, stones, driftwood, shells, and/or other bits of nature
• Figurines (let your fantasy flow!)
• Turkey baster or small measuring cup with a spout

Step 1

Insert a 1- to 2-inch layer (depending on the size of the glassware) of pebbles into the base of the container.

Step 2

Fully moisten the sphagnum moss in a bowl, and wring out the excess water. "It's important to only introduce a certain amount of moisture into the terrarium," says Twig co-owner Katy Maslow.

Step 3

Insert a thin layer of sphagnum moss into the container and tamp it down with a dowel.

Step 4

Spoon 1 inch of moistened soil into the container, tamping it down.

Step 5

Unpot one of your mini plants, and massage the roots to loosen them before inserting the plant into the container with a pair of tweezers. Carefully place it firmly into the soil and repeat with additional plants. Be sure to leave some growing room between the plants.

Step 6

Add soil to fill in gaps, and tamp it to keep the plants firmly in place.

Step 7

With tweezers, insert lichen, stones, twigs, and natural objects. Add "the talent" with figurines to create the scene of your dreams.

Step 8

Add 1–2 tablespoons of water with the turkey baster or cup, and seal it with the stopper.