How to Make a Terrarium for Sundews

Sundews are a type of carnivorous plant, a bog plant that has sticky hairs on its leaves that trap insects and digest them. Because bogs do not provide nutrients to the plants inhabiting them, the plants have evolved to derive nutrition from other sources accordingly. Sundews are terrarium-friendly plants because they have very few hard requirements for care and maintenance.

5- or 10-gallon aquarium
Metal aquarium top
Sphagnum or peat moss
Perlite or pumice
Sand-blasting silica
Plastic kitchen wrap
Distilled water
Thermometer
Humidity gauge

Instructions

- 1
  Create a soil mixture of between 50 and 70 percent sphagnum or peat moss, and equal parts of perlite or pumice and sand-blasting silica. Avoid potting soil mixtures and fertilizer mixtures because the sundews do not require soil mixtures with additives.
- 2
  Attach a thermometer to the front inside of the glass terrarium on the far right or left side. Attach a humidity gauge to the opposite side of the inside of the terrarium.
- 3
  Cover the metal aquarium top with several layers of plastic wrap completely. This will produce a tighter fit over the top of the aquarium, and will keep humidity in while keeping insects out.
- 4
  Poke fine holes in the plastic wrap to create air flow in the terrarium.
- 5
  Plant sundews in the terrarium. Give each 1 to 2 inches of clearance so that there is room for them to grow.
- 6
  Dampen the soil mixture completely using distilled water. Place the lid over the top of the aquarium securely to keep heat and humidity inside.
- 7
  Monitor heat and humidity regularly. The ideal temperature for sundews is between 70 and 80 degrees F.

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