Tips & Tricks

7 Small Tricks for a Cleaner-Looking Terrarium

In short

Little habits that make a terrarium look neat and photo-ready: clean glass, tidy layers and a few tools you already have.

The difference between a terrarium that looks "nice" and one that looks finished is usually in the small details. None of these take more than five minutes.

Terrarium tools neatly laid out from above

  1. Funnel the soil. Roll a piece of paper into a cone so soil goes straight down instead of dusting the glass.
  2. Brush, don't wipe. A soft paint brush sweeps soil off moss and stones without smearing.
  3. Clean the glass last. Wrap a cotton swab or a bit of cloth around the end of your tweezers to reach inside a globe.
  4. Use odd numbers. Three stones or five shells look more natural than two or four.
  5. Slope the ground. Higher at the back, lower at the front — it instantly adds depth.
  6. Leave some open space. A bare path or a patch of stones lets the moss stand out.
  7. Mist after cleaning. A light final mist settles stray dust and makes the moss look fresh.
15-Piece Terrarium Kit

Tools included

15-Piece Terrarium Kit

Glass globe, live moss, soil, stones, shells & tools · $39.99

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Q: My glass keeps fogging up. Is that bad?

A: Light fog in a closed container is normal. If it never clears, open the lid for a while to let some moisture out.

Q: What is the easiest tool to add?

A: A soft paint brush. It costs almost nothing and makes the biggest difference.

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