ARE TERRARIUMS HARD TO KEEP ALIVE?
I try to make my terrariums as hard to kill as possible (though it has been done, I won’t lie) - I am always happy to help you find a terrarium that best meets your needs in terms of ease-of-care so you’re set up for success! The short answer is nope, they’re actually very easy to keep alive - even if you’re a notorious plant killer!
WHY DOESN’T MY TERRARIUM HAVE A LID? DOES IT NEED ONE?
While I do enjoy the fully enclosed terrariums (another very frequent question references the “super old guy on the internet with the giant glass jug full of plants”), in my experience all terrariums will be a little happier with the occasional quick whiff of fresh air - it also helps keep the moss and plants from getting moldy (while it is a short lived and uncommon occurrence it’s still a little unnerving). Another factor to consider with covered terrariums is the material used for the lid itself; while a glass or metal lid will trap moisture without issue a lid made of organic materials like cork or bamboo are also at risk of growing mold. Keeping the lid on your terrarium cracked regularly will allow air to flow freely while still keeping humidity levels regulated. As far as the lidless or uncovered terrariums go, they also do an excellent job of maintaining a humid environment and still rarely need to be watered. All of my terrariums tend to require watering from anywhere between a month and a year, some can go even longer!
DO YOU MAKE CUSTOM TERRARIUMS?
I love creating unique pieces that meet your specific needs! Whether you’d like me to build something entirely from scratch, out of a piece of glass you’ve found, or using a plant from your personal collection I will happily craft something gorgeous and one of a kind for you! Or, you know, anyone else that might need one.
DO YOU TEACH CLASSES?
I do! I’ve been regularly leading workshops at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens as well as teaching homeschool pods and small groups, and I am now also hosting my own classes throughout North Carolina. Be sure to check out my CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS link in the menu for more info!
MY TERRARIUM ISN’T HAPPY. WHAT DO I DO?
First off, don’t panic! Also probably don’t dump a bunch of water on it. If you’re already here on my site, perfect! Just send me a message via my CONTACT link. You can also DM me photos on Instagram, if that’s easier. Once I can get an idea of what’s going on (maybe it’s dry, maybe it got cold, maybe it was left in the sun for too long, maybe there is a tiny snail living in the moss and it ate your plant) I can help you troubleshoot it and get everything happy and lush again! Sometimes that might mean bringing it back to me to facelift or replant, and depending on the situation there will either be a small fee for the cost of the plants needed, or it also might end up being free of charge if there was an issue on my end!
I WAITED TOO LONG TO CONTACT YOU ABOUT MY TERRARIUM AND NOW IT IS DEAD. WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
Just reach out to me and let me know! Sometimes things happen that might be beyond our control - it doesn’t make you a bad plant parent and it’s always fixable! We can either coordinate a pickup/dropoff or you can bring it to one of my markets for me to work on - most often I will be able to replace the plants in the terrarium for a small fee (the cost of the plants needed), and you can either take it home the same day or we can figure out a delivery situation!
WILL THE PLANTS OUTGROW MY TERRARIUM?
Each time I create a terrarium I tend to factor in the size of the container when I’m choosing my plants - the majority of the plants I use tend to stay small naturally, and when paired with a planting mix without nutrients they will thrive in their space while not gaining much additional height - similar to the way bonsai grow in their pots. In the event that a plant does start to outgrow the space, you can either give it a trim or bring it to me to trim for you! Feel free to contact me if you’re worried that someone’s getting a little too big for their bottle.
CAN I PUT LIVE ANIMALS IN MY TERRARIUM?
It depends on the terrarium, and also on the critter! While isopods and jumping spiders will do well in most habitats, more high-maintenance pets like reptiles and amphibians need a more specialized environment - which I would be happy to create as a custom piece!
CAN YOU SHIP A TERRARIUM TO ME?
Unfortunately, if I shipped you a terrarium you’d most likely wind up with a weird jar of mushy plants and dirt. However, I’m currently working on designing terrarium kits that will be shippable and will come with everything you need to create one of my terrariums in your own space!
HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY TERRARIUM NEEDS WATER?
I put a pretty generous layer of gravel at the bottom of all of my terrariums for drainage - an easy way to tell if you should add water is checking to see whether the rocks are wet (don’t water yet!) or dry (you can add a little water!). If your rocks and soil are moist but your moss looks dry, feel free to mist it for a bit! You can always use distilled water, but leaving your tap water out for a day or two before using it will also work just fine. Remember to keep your water around room temperature - nobody likes getting splashed with cold water!
HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHERE YOU’LL BE SHOWING UP NEXT?
Be sure to follow my Instagram because I post my calendar for the month there, but you can also check out the EVENTS tab here on my website!
CAN I BOOK YOU FOR A PRIVATE CLASS/PARTY/SPECIAL EVENT?
You sure can! My rates depend on the number of attendees, as well as the amount and style of terrariums needed. If you head over to my CONTACT page you can drop me a line and we can start planning! I’m always happy to work with groups of all ages and tailor my workshops accordingly.
WHAT KIND OF LIGHT DOES MY TERRARIUM NEED?
The majority of my terrariums prefer to be at least somewhat removed from direct sun, as too much heat and light will cause the plants to essentially cook inside the container. A good rule of thumb is to keep your terrarium in a room that has a window in it somewhere! I will occasionally make terrariums that can handle a lot of sun, but they tend to be more open containers with carnivorous plants or cacti in them.
WHAT IS YOUR RETURN POLICY?
Because I’m working with live plants, my return policy is essentially on a case-by-case basis. Because I go above and beyond to ensure that the plants are set up for success as well as include a detailed care sheet and ongoing availability for questions or concerns, if the terrarium dies in your care as a result of water or temprature factors I will require a small fee to clean and replant it for you to cover my time and the cost of the plants - however in the rare event that the terrarium dies as a result of pest or fungal issues I will happily replant and clean your terrarium free of charge, as that is technically an issue that I could have prevented (even though I do my very best to ensure that i pick out only the best quality plants to use in my pieces). Either way, it’s always fixable and sometimes we just get a lemon!
THERE’S SOMETHING WEIRD GROWING IN MY TERRARIUM! WHAT DO I DO?
Send me a photo! Sometimes mushrooms or little bonus plants will grow in your terrarium, which is perfectly normal - all of my moss is fresh harvested and not sterilized because I prefer to maintain the natural micro-biome, so sometimes there will be little hitchikers. While it’s not necessary to remove your surprise guest, you are always welcome to - or you can have me do it for you!
WHY DOES THE TERRARIUM OVER HERE COST THIS MUCH BUT ONE OVER THERE COSTS MORE?
I get this question occasionally and definitely think it’s important to discuss! I try to be as transparent as possible about my pricing, while also recognizing that sometimes I can’t price terrariums as accessibly as I strive to. I base my pricing on three primary factors: the plants used, the glass used and the time it takes me to build it - in order to keep my prices low if I’m using expensive glass I’ll try to use more affordable plants, and if I’m doing something with a more expensive plant I’ll spend time looking for a more affordable glass container. Occasionally I’ll end up creating something that, despite my best efforts, is not what I would call particularly cost effective (though they do always look really freakin’ cool) - but I work to make sure they’re as set up for success as possible and will be an absolute stunning statement wherever they end up! Regardless of your budget, I’ll always be happy to create the perfect addition to your space that’s both consciously priced and aesthetically pleasing!
