Terrarium, << tuh RAIR ee uhm, >> is the name for a transparent container in which small plants or small land animals are kept. Terrariums reproduce as closely as possible a natural setting or habitat. People set up terrariums in glass or plastic containers. The containers are usually covered to prevent the loss of moisture. The word terrarium comes from a Latin word that means earth.
To prepare a terrarium, place a layer of small pebbles on the bottom of the container for drainage. A layer of broken charcoal should be added to absorb odors and to provide additional drainage. Then add commercial potting soil or a mixture made up of garden loam, freshwater sand, and either peat moss or leaf mold (decomposed leaves). This mixture should be heated in an oven at 200 °F (93 °C) for one hour to kill harmful bacteria and other soil pests. When it is cool, put it into the container.
Plants that grow well together under the same conditions are best suited for a terrarium. Each plant should be carefully placed in the soil leaving enough space between plants to allow for growth. The soil should be moistened thoroughly, but not so much that it becomes soggy. Animals often kept in terrariums include lizards, small snakes, toads, and salamanders.
The completed terrarium should be placed in an area that is well-lit but out of direct sunlight. When covered, a balanced terrarium preserves temperature and moisture inside to provide excellent growing conditions. If the container clouds with moisture, the lid may be opened to decrease humidity.
