The terrarium is well established as one of #planttok’s most popular all-time trends- but just how do you make a beautiful biome in a jar?

The team at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk say that building a terrarium is a perfect way to relieve stress and express creativity within a small space.

They’ve given some of their key pointers to help enthusiasts get started.

With hundreds of ways to customise a beautiful glass microclimate, finding the most aesthetically pleasing way to display can take a lot of time and effort.

These layers of wonderful plant life are the best way to keep indoor plants with low maintenance in an eye-catching manner.

A spokesperson for GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said: “Terrariums are a brilliant gateway for those who are looking to get into gardening but may be time poor and worried about high maintenance plants.

“TikTok has blessed us with so many ingenious ideas for these tiny biomes, it’s possible to create any look you like.

“We’ve helped to narrow down the decision-making process by giving some simple steps and advice to building the perfect terrarium.”

Pick a container

Any glass vessel will do to start with. This can be a jam jar, mason jar, or any other open glass container you may have. The bigger the better. Making sure the terrarium is made from glass and is open in some capacity, will not only elevate its look but will also allow greater airflow.

Drainage layers

Arguably the most important step in building your beautiful terrarium is adding appropriate drainage. Creating these layers is vital because your container won’t have drainage holes and this will also help to prevent root rot.

For this use a loose stone on the bottom of your vessel and then add a thin layer of activated charcoal on top of this. The charcoal acts as a toxin remover and will remove any chemicals within the soil subsequently removing any bad smells with it too.

Moss and pot

The next layer of the terrarium will be the planting layer which is best when a combination of moss and potting soil is used. This will also start to create a satisfying appearance to the terrarium with the layered effect.

Arrangement

Once the terrarium is neatly layered it is then time to pick your favourite plants to fill the space. Miniature plants and foliage plants work best in a terrarium or any other plants that grow slowly. Use a small spoon or pencil to place the plants into the soil

Accessorise

As well as using plants to spice up a terrarium TikTokker’s have used their favourite figurines to add personality to their microclimates. Shells, pebbles, toys, and ornaments can help tie in a terrarium to its surrounding aesthetic with a personal touch.

Maintenance

Terrariums are generally low maintenance however there are a few things to bear in mind. If your terrarium is partially or fully closed be mindful not to overwater as these types of terrarium tend to retain water well. Also, when using a glass vessel it’s important to not use a domestic glass cleaner inside the terrarium as this could potentially be poisonous to the life inside.