How To Start Seeds in a Terrarium

Seeds require moisture and warmth to germinate and a terrarium provides both of these. Whether you want to get a jump start on the growing season by starting seeds indoors long before spring arrives, or would just like to grow new plants from seeds, a terrarium presents an ideal environment for germination. Starting seeds inside a terrarium only calls for a few items, takes a little time to put together and typically needs little care once set up.

Gravel
Charcoal
Sphagnum moss
Seed-starting mix
Spray bottle

Instructions

- 1
  Sterilize the inside of the terrarium by thoroughly cleaning it with hot, sudsy water. Rinse it several times and then dry it, or wait until it dries before setting it up.
- 2
  Place the terrarium in a location with a temperature around 78 F and bright but indirect sunlight. Don’t place the terrarium in a spot where the sun reflects through the side or you may burn the seedlings.
- 3
  Cover the bottom of the terrarium with a 1- to 3-inch layer of pebbles or pea gravel. This layer is for drainage.
- 4
  Add a layer 1/2 inch thick of activated charcoal, or what is often called aquarium charcoal. The charcoal gets rid of any toxins.
- 5
  Put a layer of sphagnum moss over the charcoal to keep the growing medium from mixing in with the terrarium’s lower layers.
- 6
  Cover the bottom of the terrarium with 3 inches of a special seed starting mix or sterile soilless growing mix.
- 7
  Sow the seeds in the terrarium at the spacing and depth recommended on the seed packets. Spray the growing medium moistening it to the depth of the seeds.
- 8
  Place the cover on top of the terrarium, if applicable. Check the terrarium often and mist again as needed to maintain moist, but not soaked, soil until seedlings emerge in one or more weeks.

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