Mason Jar Terrarium

by Christi Schornack in Workshop > Hydroponics

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Mason Jar Terrarium

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Create a Terrarium using a Mason Jar!

A Terrarium is a closed container that plants can grow inside.

This project is simple, cheap and quick. It costs less than $15 and will only take up to a half an hour to complete.

Aquire Materials.

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Before starting the project, make sure you have the necessary materials.

Materials for Mason Jar Terrarium:

  • Mason Jar (large enough to hold a small plant)
  • Small Plant (smaller in width than mason jar opening, and at least two inches shorter than mason jar)
  • Water
  • Small Pebbles or Moss (Optional)
  • Paper Towels
  • Potting Soil (Optional)

Unscrew Lid From Mason Jar.

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Remove Under Lid From Mason Jar.

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Place Mason Jar Lid Upside Down on a Flat Surface.

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Rinse Mason Jar in HOT Water.

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This step is especially important if you are using a used Mason Jar.

Dry Mason Jar.

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Make sure to dry the Mason Jar thoroughly so that the plant won't have excess condensation.

Water Plant.

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Water the small plant in its original cup.

Make sure all of the soil is damp.

Remove Plant From Its Original Cup.

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Tip the cup slowly upside down and let the plant fall into your hand.

~ If the plant remains in the cup, tap the bottom of the cup and lightly squeeze the sides of the cup as you tilt it.

** Be careful NOT to pick the plant up by the stem, as it may damage the plant.

Remove Soil.

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Pull off the soil on the plant that is not tightly secured to it. Do this along the edges of the soil. (This will not harm the plant as it is not the plant.)

Remove as much of the soil with this method as possible.


After completing this step and the next step you want the plant to look like the picture.

**It is suggested that you do this either outside, above the sink, or over paper towels.

Pull Roots.

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  1. Pull roots off from the bottom of the plant. The roots are the stringywhite sticks that hang underneath the plant. Do this to eliminate the amount of soil.
  2. Leave the roots just beneath the bottom of the plant. Be careful not to harm the roots just beneath the bottom of the plant.
  3. Squish together the remaining roots.

*You want the plant to have about the same amount of soil and roots as the picture shows.

**It is suggested that you do this either outside, above the sink, or over paper towels.

Place Plant on Lid.

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Push Center of Plant Down on Lid.

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Level the Soil.

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Optional: Add extra potting soil so that the soil fills the lid.

* Make sure the soil does not exceed the top of the lid.

* Make sure the dirt does not go to the edge of the lid, so that the Mason Jar can still fit into the lid.

Add Pebbles or Moss (Optional).

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Place the Pebbles or Moss on top of the soil.

* Make sure that the Pebbles and Moss do not go to the edge of the lid, so that the Mason Jar can still fit into the lid.

Lightly Grip Leaves Together.

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Gradually Lower Mason Jar Over the Plant.

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Pick Up Mason Jar.

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Pick up the Mason Jar by both the jar and the bottom of the lid.

Make sure to hold them together.

While Holding the Mason Jar Screw the Lid on Tightly.

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Wipe Off Edges of Mason Jar With a Wet Paper Towel.

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Upkeep of Mason Jar Terrarium

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Keep Mason Jar Terrarium in a well lit room, but out of direct sunlight.

Check to see if the soil is moist every couple of weeks, by removing the Mason Jar from the lid.

If there is a lot of condensation in the Mason Jar, remove Mason Jar from lid and allow soil to dry out for a couple of hours.