Learn how to make a terrarium to add easy-to-care-for greenery to your space.

Science has definitively proven that houseplants can improve the quality of the air in the home by reducing ozone and helping to eliminate VOCs. House plants can also improve your mood, especially during the long winter months when we are all stuck inside. And many people find caring for plants to be therapeutic–much like caring for a pet.

But what if you don’t have a green thumb? Some of us just are not natural plant people and pretty much kill all plants that enter into our abodes. How can us non-gardener types reap the benefits of indoor plants? With DIY terrariums, that’s how. Terrariums are a lower maintenance alternative to add plants to your home.

What is a Terrarium?

Image: Terrarium via Shutterstock

Terrariums are self-contained little mini-gardens. They are usually housed in decorative glass containers that can be opened to allow for care of the plants inside. Terrariums can either be open to the atmosphere or closed. Sealed terrariums need less watering as the transparency of the glass container, and the closed environment, allows for small scale water cycle to happen. In addition, a closed terrarium allows for the use of plants that like moist, humid conditions like moss, ferns, and air plants. Terrarium that are kept open are better suited for plants that like drier conditions, like succulents and cacti, if you are looking for low maintenance.

Learn How to Make a Terrarium

Open terrarium supplies:

• Open glass container
• Rocks or pebbles
• Potting soil
• Sand
• Succulents

How to make a terrarium:

1. Place a layer of rocks in the bottom of your container. This is to help the plants drain. How deep you layer the rocks really depends on the height your container, but ½ inch to 1 inch is a good rule of thumb.
2. Next, add potting soil (it should be suitable for succulents). Your soil layer should be deep enough for the plants to take root in. Again, a good rule of thumb is about 2-3 inches, depending on your plants.
3. Plant your succulents to create a visually appealing arrangement, allowing room between the plants and the glass.
4. Add sand around the base of the plants to help give them support and for a little visual interest. You can also add a layer of sand before adding the stones, if you want to create a little more visual interest.
5. Finally, you can add accessories, like pottery mushrooms or decorative rocks, to create a creative look for your terrarium.

You can find plants and supplies at most garden supply stores. I like Terrain and Etsy for sourcing decorative containers and other terrarium accessories for how to make a terrarium.

Related on EcoSalon

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Image: Terrariums via Shutterstock

The post How to Make a Terrarium Even If You Don’t Have a Green Thumb appeared first on EcoSalon.

Low sunlight, the absence of most greenery and being stuck indoors breathing recirculated air can leave the best of us feeling a little blah during the cold months of autumn and winter. Little pops of nature around the home or office not only give us a psychological boost, but help purify the air. Indoor house plants also offer an opportunity to spice up a space visually with an interesting color or shape. Get inspired with these 8 modern planters, including recycled and handmade options as well as a couple cool DIY projects.

Urban Zeal Indoor Vertical Planters

Urban Zeal offers a range of vertical garden solutions for indoor house plants, including self-watering options and modular sets that can be expanded into entire walls of greenery. The Living Wall Planter has a self-watering tank and is made from 100% recycled, BPA-free plastic, while the Wally One Vertical Garden is an individually sold wool felt pouch that’s super easy to hang. The Framed GoVert Living Wall Kit is an all-in-one set of ten planter boxes in a wooden frame with a water collector tray at the base to ensure that care is relatively mess-free.

Porcelain and Leather Hanging Trio

Etsy is a great source for beautiful modern planters in virtually any shape, color and size. Brooklyn artisan Farrah Sit of Light and Ladder offers a variety of porcelain planters  including this  hanging trio, tiered planters and wall-mounted planters.

DIY Mason Jar Garden

Reuse some old mason jars and reclaimed wood in this wall-mounted planter project – the only other material, aside from the plants and soil, is a type of pipe clamp sold in the plumbing section of hardware stores. Model Summer Rayne Oakes goes through the whole (fairly simple) process in a video over at Inhabitat.

Diamond Hanging Planters

UK-based RawDezign offers these geometric hanging planters in a range of colors, individually cast by hand in a natural resin. Hang them in groups for an even bigger visual impact.

3D-Printed Aqueduct Planter System

This cool 3D-printed planter system for indoor house plants is especially striking when installed in a window. One set includes 10 individual planters, which are strung together so that water poured into the top one will irrigate them all. Components are available individually, too, so you can customize the look and size.

The Art of Kokedama

Want to get ultra-minimalist, yet still earthy and organic? Try your hand at the Japanese art of kokedama, or moss ball planters made with string. The results are especially impressive with trailing plants that have a bit of pep to them, like ferns, or a mixture of trailing and vertical plants. This process is a bit messy, but surprisingly easy. Get the tutorial at Design Sponge.

 Related on Ecosalon: 

The Green Appointed House: 15 Ways to Decorate with Houseplants

Office Plants Make You Happy

The post Modern Greenery: 6 Stylish New Ways to Keep Indoor House Plants appeared first on EcoSalon.

Why? Because as NASA points out, there are plants you can place about your abode that will literally help you breathe – cleaner air, that is. According to a NASA study, “certain common indoor plants may provide a natural way of removing toxic agents such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air, helping neutralize the effects of sick building syndrome.” Sick building syndrome is when a combination of causes lead to unhealthy air in the workplace.

Some plants are better than others at cleaning the air. As we have already reported, houseplants can contribute to a reduction in eye irritation by 52 percent, respiratory problems by 34 percent and headaches by 24 percent. (Also check out our look at the ten easiest houseplants to grow.) But want to know the best plants to clean the air?

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1. Boston Fern

The Boston Fern is apparently the best plant for removing toxins from the room. It is one of the most efficient air-filtering plants. Plus its prehistoric look will contribute to Fred Flintstone daydreams while you are working.

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2. Gerbera Daisy

Gerbera daisies are not only stylish and pretty – they are one of the most effective plants in removing trichloroethylene concentrations from the air. Trichloroethylene is a “commercial product that has a wide variety of industrial uses. It is used in some printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes and adhesives.”

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3. Areca Palm

This plant is also known as the “most efficient air humidifier.” Why? It gives off large amounts of water into the air while removing chemical toxins. A six-foot palm releases up to one liter of water a day. You can leave your humidifier in the closet all winter with a few of these plants.

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4. Green Spider Plant

This is one of the top plants to remove concentrations of formaldehyde in the air, making it a superhero of plants. And formaldehyde is all over your house. It is in “foam insulation, particle board or pressed-wood products. Consumer paper products, including grocery bags, waxed paper, facial tissue and paper towels, are treated with urea formaldehyde resins. Many household cleaning agents contain formaldehyde.”

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5. Peace Lily

Want to remove benzene concentrations from the air? Then peace out with the peace lily. Benzene is a “commonly used solvent in such items as gasoline, inks, oils, paint, plastic and rubber. Furthermore, it is used in the manufacture of detergents, explosives, pharmaceuticals and dyes.”

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6. Dracaena

The Dracaena, also known as the Janet Craig, is sometimes called a clean air machine. It is quick to start working, so it is a good choice if you want clean air fast.

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7. English Ivy

English Ivy is a great choice for someone with allergies. After 12 hours in a room, it can remove up to 78 percent of airborne mold and 94 percent of airborne feces. But it is toxic if ingested, to make sure it is out of reach of pets and kids.

Images:

Yandle, Boston Fern, Gerbera Daisy, Acera Palm , Green Spider Plant , Peace Lily, Dracaena, English Ivy

The post Breathe Cleaner Air With These 7 Houseplants appeared first on EcoSalon.