My eight-year-old grandson was visiting last week; after a while, he commented, “Grandma, you’re kinda compulsive about plants.”

I had to admire his vocabulary, even as I agreed with him…I am “kinda” compulsive about plants. Of course, there is gardening in the spring, summer and autumn, but I “kinda” need to have houseplants, too.

Growing plants indoors is a challenge! Finding a window sill where there’s enough sunlight can be difficult enough, but modern houses with central air and heat, may not offer enough humidity to make your houseplants happy. Of course, you can sit them in a shallow tray with pebbles and keep water just below the top of the pebbles. Grouping them together helps create a more humid mini-environment too. Misting their leaves will provide a moist environment, at least temporarily. If your plants need to be fertilized, Osmocote is the best choice for them.

Maybe, just maybe, a terrarium for your small, humidity-loving houseplants might be a partial solution? And…let’s be honest, it’s a fun project. My friend and neighbor E decided we’d each make a terrarium as a “Girls’ Afternoon Out” project.

The first big decision is: what container will you use? Any clear glass or plastic container is a candidate for a terrarium. How large? Where will you put it? Grow light or not? Lid or no lid? I decided that I would re-use an old, clear glass cookie jar with a lid, but I really intended to use the lid whenever I thought the plants might need a humidity boost. Otherwise, the lid stays off, reducing the chance of odor or mold occurring. E found a lovely, large round vase, without the lid. She can always cover her terrarium with a plate or plastic if she needs more moisture.

Neither of us decided on a grow light at this time, I’m hoping the indirect light from a north-facing window will be adequate. It’s not a good idea to place a terrarium in direct sunlight – the glass traps in the heat which can cook your plants.

Of course, we had to go shopping for plants! For terrariums, you want to select plants that are naturally small or slow growing; are happy in indirect sunlight and appreciate a humid climate. Like what? E and I both chose ferns, mine were Sword fern and Maidenhair spleenwort and included fittonia with interesting pink veins.

So, what about other supplies? A layer of small, decorative pebbles went in first to provide drainage. Next, a layer of activated charcoal, to keep odors down. A layer of sheet moss went in to keep the potting soil from sifting down into the charcoal and pebble layers. Finally, in went the potting soil and the plants.

That isn’t the end of the fun! Use your creativity, sense of whimsy or indulge in a bit of fantasy – make your terrarium a Faery Garden. Or a Gnome Garden. Or decorate it for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah or Kwanzaa. Do what makes you happy.

E had spent some time in her woods and included some velvety green moss, a small branch with a bracket fungus and some “boulders”. Tiny plastic critters – a bunny rabbit and a deer family – finished her project. Her intent had been to make it feel like her woods and it did!

I had thought about making a Gnome Garden, but realized there wasn’t enough room in the container. Instead, my terrarium has a tiny statue of a seated Japanese lady. I had found her at a flea market several years ago and realized she was pretty old – she had been made in Occupied Japan, immediately after WWII. Now, she has a serene garden to call home.

While E’s terrarium was absolutely perfect, I’m not as happy with mine. It is too small. The bottom layers took up two thirds of the jar, so the ferns are sticking out the open top. Next time, instead of the inch or two of sheet moss, I’ll use landscape fabric to keep the potting soil separate from the pebbles and activated charcoal. Speaking of the activated charcoal, I’m not convinced it’s necessary with an open topped terrarium.

Of course, more terrariums are in my future. I might try using a miniature orchid, or making a wide-mouthed terrarium with succulents. I’ve heard African violets do well too. But, the very next terrarium project will be a Gnome Garden…after all, why not? Gnomes are always a good idea.

Stay Green, Good Friends!