DIY: Bottle Terrarium

Measure 6 inches up from the bottom of the bottle and mark a line all the way around. Use only a clear bottle; colored ones may prevent certain sun’s rays that are necessary to the plants to be filtered out through the plastic.

Poke a hole on the line, then, using scissors, cut across the line. Set the top of the bottle aside.

Place a 1-inch layer of gravel or pebbles at the bottom: unlike a flower pot, your terrarium won't have holes on the bottom, and the gravel this allows water to drain well and prevents soil from getting muddy.

Add a 1/2-inch layer of activated charcoal. Charcoal cleans the water so bacteria does not infect the terrarium.

Place a thin layer of sphagnum moss over top to prevent soil from sinking into the gravel and allow water to flow.

Dampen potting soil and fill the remainder of the bottom of the bottle, leaving a 1-inch head space before the top of the container. Dig a hole in the soil using a plastic spoon, then set the roots of your chosen plants in. Fill with soil. Press to firm into the soil. Use plants that do not grow large such as dwarf palm, gold dust plant, and sweetheart plant for low-light terrariums; and maidenhair fern, zebra plant and prayer plant for humid, warm terrariums.

Water the terrarium once with room-temperature, distilled water sprayed on the surface of the soil. Place the top of the bottle on by squeezing it over the bottom. Cut a vertical slit in the top if it will not fit and tape it all around to secure. Put the cap on. The enclosed environment and transpiration of plants should create moisture that condenses on the side of the bottle and trickles down to the soil. The terrarium should not need extra water after it has been capped unless it dries out completely; if it does, remove cap and water sparingly with a fine mist.