How to Grow a Terrarium in an Aquarium

Sterilize the aquarium by washing it thoroughly with hot water and soap. Rinse it well and then dry.

Set the aquarium in a site with lots of light but not direct sunlight. You don’t want sun rays reflecting through the sides of the aquarium, to prevent burning the plants.

Cover the bottom of the aquarium with a 1-inch layer of aquarium gravel, crushed rocks or small pebbles. This layer is for drainage.

Add a 1/2-inch layer of horticultural charcoal over the gravel to keep the soil from smelling. Lay sphagnum moss over the charcoal to keep the soil from mixing with the lower layers.

Put a layer at least 1 1/2 inch thick of a sterile potting soil that doesn’t contain any fertilizer. You can make the layer level, or create a hill in the back, along a side or in the center of the aquarium.

Obtain a variety of plants in different sizes, shapes and colors. Choose plants that are thick, low and slow growing, and have the same light and water requirements.

Leave the plants in their containers and arrange them inside the aquarium, or use another area of the same size with the aquarium to determine the layout before actually planting.

Put one big plant in the center surrounded with smaller plants, if you will see all sides of the terrarium. Set the larger plants in the back of setups viewed from one or two sides.

Dig holes only as deep as the containers holding the plants, and make certain the plants' leaves don’t touch the sides of the aquarium.

Add stones and small decorative items around the plants, if you want to put a finishing touch on the overall design.

Spray the plants to remove any soil on the leaves and to dampen the soil. Wait for 24 hours and mist the plants again.

Wait until the all the leaves on the plants are dry before placing the aquarium cover on top.