To learn more about caring for your plants click on links below for individual plant care.
Caring for your Terrarium and Miniature Garden
Terrariums
Terrariums, whether created with succulents, air plants or tropical plants, are like tiny universes. There is something fascinating and beautiful about a self-contained plant landscape within a glass vessel
The care instructions here are for open terrariums only. Closed terrarium are much more complicated to maintain and less common as they do not allow proper air circulation.
The most common problem with terrariums is over watering. We have outlined basic watering practices for specific plants that you can access via the links above but depending on the placement of your terrarium the water requirements may differ.
It is always best to let your terrarium dry out completely before watering. Most plants will recover quickly if they have been without water for a short time, however, once a plant is inflicted with root rot from over-watering it is almost impossible for it to recover.
Tap water can be left out for 24 hours prior to watering. This will allow water to reach room temperature and will also allow any chlorine to breakdown.
If you use rainwater to water your terrarium the inside of your terrarium will stay cleaner as unlike tap water, there is no salt to cause water marks. For the outside, use a lint free cloth and fresh water to clean your terrarium. Remember, it is a living ecosystem and harsh chemicals may harm it - although a bit of window cleaner or vinegar on the outside glass is fine.
Spraying or misting your terrarium with distilled water will also help keep spots on the glass to a minimum, however, we do not recommend watering with distilled water.
When watering add in small doses with a syringe or small dropper. This will help keep your ecosystem intact and make it easier to avoid over-watering. A water meter is a great tool for confirming when its time to water and if you have provided sufficient water.
Your plants may require pruning if they begin to outgrow their container or become unshapely.
Pinching back of the plant's tips will encourage it to increase in density.
Remove any dead or diseased parts of a plant from the terrarium.
The plants in your terrarium require high light but should never be exposed to direct sunlight.
Although confined plants tend to grow slowly, any plant that has outgrown its environment should be replaced.
Diseased plants should be removed immediately and if any mildew or mold develops remove the object and rinse before replacing.
If your terrarium contains succulents or tropical plants and an air plant you should remove the air plant prior to watering your terrarium and water it separately.
Miniature Gardens
Miniature Gardens bring a sense of whimsy to your home or patio and at Serendipity we hope our gardens also bring a smile to your face. Caring for your garden is not unlike caring for potted plants. If you have an indoor miniature garden it may or may not have drainage, so check the bottom of your pot and see if you have a drainage hole.
If your garden contains an air plant in addition to your other plants, the air plant should be removed prior to watering your garden. Water your air plant separately, as per instructions outlined in caring for air plants.
No Drainage Gardens:
Before watering check the soil moisture. If there is moss covering the soil, peel some back and stick your finger in a couple inches. If you find the soil is damp and soggy, you should hold back on the watering of your garden, as it will become water logged. If you find that the top couple of centimeters of soil are dry then add water.
When you water for the first time, add a small amount of water and let it settle for 10 minutes or so, check the garden again and if you find it is still not damp, add more water. Keep doing this until you feel that the soil is damp but not saturated. Alternatively, you could us a water meter.
Drainage Gardens:
Check the moisture level of the soil by sticking your finger in the soil a couple inches (or use a water meter). If the soil is dry in the top couple centimeters then soak the soil of your garden thoroughly and allow it to drain.
Check regularly for the moisture level, but allow to dry out a bit between watering.
For most indoor containers weekly watering will suffice.
Outdoor Gardens:
If you have an outdoor garden in a pot the moisture level should be checked at least once every 2 days in the summer heat. When you find the garden is slightly dry in the top couple centimeters, saturate fully and allow to drain.
Using a watering can with a breaker to gently water your plants will ensure your garden miniatures are undisturbed.
As your plants grow, you may want to trim them.
Remove any dead foliage and deadhead your flowering plants to ensure they continue to bloom.
If you have an outdoor garden with summer bedding plants, after summer you can rebuild your garden in an indoor bowl using house plants. If you would like Serendipity to help you rebuild your garden, please drop by our store or send us an email.
If your garden contains an air plant in addition to your other plants, the air plant should be removed prior to watering your garden. Water your air plant separately, as per instructions outlined in caring for air plants.
Terrariums
Terrariums, whether created with succulents, air plants or tropical plants, are like tiny universes. There is something fascinating and beautiful about a self-contained plant landscape within a glass vessel
The care instructions here are for open terrariums only. Closed terrarium are much more complicated to maintain and less common as they do not allow proper air circulation.
The most common problem with terrariums is over watering. We have outlined basic watering practices for specific plants that you can access via the links above but depending on the placement of your terrarium the water requirements may differ.
It is always best to let your terrarium dry out completely before watering. Most plants will recover quickly if they have been without water for a short time, however, once a plant is inflicted with root rot from over-watering it is almost impossible for it to recover.
Tap water can be left out for 24 hours prior to watering. This will allow water to reach room temperature and will also allow any chlorine to breakdown.
If you use rainwater to water your terrarium the inside of your terrarium will stay cleaner as unlike tap water, there is no salt to cause water marks. For the outside, use a lint free cloth and fresh water to clean your terrarium. Remember, it is a living ecosystem and harsh chemicals may harm it - although a bit of window cleaner or vinegar on the outside glass is fine.
Spraying or misting your terrarium with distilled water will also help keep spots on the glass to a minimum, however, we do not recommend watering with distilled water.
When watering add in small doses with a syringe or small dropper. This will help keep your ecosystem intact and make it easier to avoid over-watering. A water meter is a great tool for confirming when its time to water and if you have provided sufficient water.
Your plants may require pruning if they begin to outgrow their container or become unshapely.
Pinching back of the plant's tips will encourage it to increase in density.
Remove any dead or diseased parts of a plant from the terrarium.
The plants in your terrarium require high light but should never be exposed to direct sunlight.
Although confined plants tend to grow slowly, any plant that has outgrown its environment should be replaced.
Diseased plants should be removed immediately and if any mildew or mold develops remove the object and rinse before replacing.
If your terrarium contains succulents or tropical plants and an air plant you should remove the air plant prior to watering your terrarium and water it separately.
Miniature Gardens
Miniature Gardens bring a sense of whimsy to your home or patio and at Serendipity we hope our gardens also bring a smile to your face. Caring for your garden is not unlike caring for potted plants. If you have an indoor miniature garden it may or may not have drainage, so check the bottom of your pot and see if you have a drainage hole.
If your garden contains an air plant in addition to your other plants, the air plant should be removed prior to watering your garden. Water your air plant separately, as per instructions outlined in caring for air plants.
No Drainage Gardens:
Before watering check the soil moisture. If there is moss covering the soil, peel some back and stick your finger in a couple inches. If you find the soil is damp and soggy, you should hold back on the watering of your garden, as it will become water logged. If you find that the top couple of centimeters of soil are dry then add water.
When you water for the first time, add a small amount of water and let it settle for 10 minutes or so, check the garden again and if you find it is still not damp, add more water. Keep doing this until you feel that the soil is damp but not saturated. Alternatively, you could us a water meter.
Drainage Gardens:
Check the moisture level of the soil by sticking your finger in the soil a couple inches (or use a water meter). If the soil is dry in the top couple centimeters then soak the soil of your garden thoroughly and allow it to drain.
Check regularly for the moisture level, but allow to dry out a bit between watering.
For most indoor containers weekly watering will suffice.
Outdoor Gardens:
If you have an outdoor garden in a pot the moisture level should be checked at least once every 2 days in the summer heat. When you find the garden is slightly dry in the top couple centimeters, saturate fully and allow to drain.
Using a watering can with a breaker to gently water your plants will ensure your garden miniatures are undisturbed.
As your plants grow, you may want to trim them.
Remove any dead foliage and deadhead your flowering plants to ensure they continue to bloom.
If you have an outdoor garden with summer bedding plants, after summer you can rebuild your garden in an indoor bowl using house plants. If you would like Serendipity to help you rebuild your garden, please drop by our store or send us an email.
If your garden contains an air plant in addition to your other plants, the air plant should be removed prior to watering your garden. Water your air plant separately, as per instructions outlined in caring for air plants.