Terrarium Desert Theme Ideas

Containers

• A 10-gallon aquarium works well as a desert terrarium container. Desert terrariums cannot be subject to the humidity and moisture of a regular closed. Keeping it open is important. When adding lizards or other wildlife, use a screen over the top. If no animals are present, just leave it open. Use a fish bowl or other large glass container that opens at the top for a smaller version. Light is important to a desert terrarium, so a hood light from an aquarium is handy.

Soil

• Desert soil is very sandy, so the soil in the terrarium is a mix of sand and soil. Mix 1 part potting soil, 3 parts sand and 1 part peat moss and vermiculite mixture. This makes a perfect soil for succulents and cacti. Spread 2 to 3 inches of soil over a 1-inch layer of gravel. When using an aquarium, make the soil mix deeper at the back and shallower in the front for good drainage.

Plants

• Many different cacti and succulents do well in a desert terrarium. Small sedum, jade plants, aloe, crassula, lithops, bunny ears, ghost plants, pincushion plants, Mexican sunball and powder puff cactus all are examples. Handle cacti with gloves or tongs and plant shallow roots with enough soil to cover, enabling them stand upright in the terrarium. Spray the soil with water to dampen it, but do not soak the soil.

Care

• Spray the terrarium once or twice a week with water dampening the soil. The terrarium needs bright sunlight, but filter it with a shear curtain to avoid burning the plants through the glass, or super heating the air inside.

Other Information

• Decorate the terrarium with rocks, woody branches and other waterproof items. Never let plants touch the container’s glass. If artificial light is used, leave it on for about 10 hours per day.