These miniature gardens in glass enclosures are gaining popularity among urban communities, especially the younger generation.
More precisely, a terrarium is a mix of live plants and natural elements such as pebbles, neatly arranged in a glass container. There are two types – closed and open.
Closed terrariums are suited to tropical plants that thrive in high humidity, such as fittonia; while open ones are better suited to cacti and succulents, which require minimal care but good ventilation.
“Terrarium care is actually very simple. For the closed type, it usually only needs to be watered once every two weeks and can be placed under regular lighting without UV rays,” said Amirul Rashid Abdul Razak, supervisor of terrarium specialist outlet NaugJustPlants here.
The 27-year-old explained that terrariums are becoming increasingly popular owing to their soil-free concept. They only require materials like sphagnum moss and lightweight expanded clay aggregate (“leca”) to retain moisture and prevent pests from attacking.
“Many people don’t realise that soil isn’t the only medium for plants. With sphagnum moss, plants can still get sufficient water,” he said.
Amirul noted that the arrangement of various components within a terrarium creates a stable and aesthetically pleasing mini ecosystem.
“Many people still think terrariums are for keeping small animals like lizards or turtles, when in fact they are ideal for plants,” he added.
According to him, terrariums can cost up to RM8,000, depending on their size, design, and types of plants used.
For Johoreans interested in creating their own, NaughJustPlants offers daily workshops to the public, including sessions for children, families, and corporate groups.
Participants will be guided step by step on the process of creating and maintaining their own terrariums. Fees are based on the size and types of materials used, starting from as low as RM75 to RM380 for larger and more complex designs.
The time it takes to complete a terrarium also varies, from 30 minutes to up to three hours – depending on the participant’s skills and creativity.
Learn more about NaughJustPlants here.