why are terrariums so cool?
A terrarium is a small miniature garden, which has been created inside a glass container. Small flats and lack of free time are the main reasons that prevent
Small flats and lack of free time are the main reasons that prevent you from incorporating plants into your décor. Understandably, if you live in a tiny office or cubicle, where you can barely take a couple of steps, you simply don't have the space to fit in a couple of pots. But don't completely dismiss your desire to fill your life with greenery, terrariums are the perfect option.
what are terrariums?
A terrarium is a small miniature garden, which has been created inside a glass container. It can be composed of various species of plants and there are several types, but what they have in common is that inside this bottle or container a particular habitat is created, in which the plants will develop and grow.
Terrariums were created in 1827, when Doctor Nathaniel Ward made a study monitoring the cycles of insects bred in captivity. He put each insect in sealed containers with soil at the bottom. Everything was going normally, but he noticed that tiny seedlings began to grow inside the sealed jars. He continued his experiments and out of them came the terrarium as we know it.
In Victorian times they became so popular that almost everyone had them, especially with ferns and flowers. Such was the craze that the new obsession was christened Pteridomania, which translates as "fern mania". And don't think that the only use of these systems was ornamental, as they were also used to safely transport live plants to other regions. For example, the first tea plant was transported from China to India in a terrarium, where it would become a more than iconic crop that persists to this day.
Types of terrariums
Terrariums are great because you can create incredible compositions inside these bottles or containers, using different types of plants and elements such as stones, coloured sand and even small miniature figures. We are not lying when we say that the possibilities are endless.
If we classify terrariums according to the type of plants they contain in their composition, we could say that there are desert, tropical, wooded, aquatic and much more. According to the structure, we could say that there are 2 types of terrariums: open and closed.
- In closed terrariums an airtight lid is placed on the bottle. The seal creates a micro-ecosystem, so you don't even need to water it. They are usually created with tropical plants, which have high humidity requirements.
- Open terrariums are a little more modern, and often use succulents, cacti and xerophytes. Although they do require some watering, due to the type of plants used, care and maintenance is still very simple.
The benefits of having a terrarium
Size doesn't matter: The size of terrariums is usually quite small, as they are intended as a solution for small places. You can have a composition of several plants in a miniature garden that will fit perfectly in that small space on your desk.
They add colour and life: plants immediately add a wow factor, a touch of colour and life to any space. A plant humanises the place, so a small terrarium can give that breath of vital energy to your office or home.
Fits any decorating style: it doesn't matter if your decor is shabby chic, vintage or very modern and minimalist; a terrarium can fit in perfectly as long as you choose the right design of stand or container. For example, our hanging terrarium is perfect for contemporary decorations, but by changing its location it can be incorporated into a more classic space without any problems.
Easy care: terrariums are designed to require minimal maintenance. You'll have to water very little (or not at all, in the case of closed ones) and you won't have to deal with soil, compost, transplanting and other cumbersome processes. You can go on holiday without any problems or worries.
Improve your health: on a physical level, having plants helps to maintain high levels of humidity in the air, which is very beneficial for your respiratory system and your skin. But the biggest impact of having a terrarium is on an emotional level. Having plants around, contemplating them and caring for them reduces anxiety, stress and worry levels.
Terrariums are the answer for all those people who want to have a small forest but don't have the time or space to do so. Be warned though, one terrarium will not be enough, they are so easy to care for that you will want to have one in every room.