Hey, welcome!

You've scanned the care sticker on your terrarium. Got it as a gift, or picked up a ready-made one in a shop yourself? Either way, good choice. Here's the short version of how to keep it happy, plus answers to the questions we get asked most.

  • Just unpacked it? This is all completely normal

    Foggy glass, soil that looks a little disturbed, condensation on the inside: nothing to worry about. That's just what happens after a ride in a delivery van or a while on a shop shelf. Closed terrariums especially react to temperature changes. Give it a few days in its new spot before you judge how it looks.

  • Where it'll be happiest

    A bright spot with indirect light, that's really all it asks for. Think near a window, but out of direct sun. The glass acts like a magnifying glass, so in direct sun the leaves can scorch within an hour, even if it only gets sun part of the day. Keep it away from radiators, heating vents, and draughty spots too.

  • Watering: easier than you'd think

    Does yours have a cork or lid? Then it's closed, and it does most of the work itself. Water evaporates from the soil and plants, condenses on the glass, and drips right back down, it basically rains on itself. So you barely need to water it, only when the substrate looks visibly dry. Often just a few times a year. No fixed schedule needed.

    Is yours open, no lid? Then it needs a bit more attention, like a regular houseplant. Water roughly every one to two weeks. Check with a finger first, if the top layer still feels damp, you can wait a bit longer.

  • The short list: do this

    - Give it bright, indirect light

    - Let a closed terrarium do its own thing, it's designed to take care of itself

    - Trim plants that grow too tall or touch the glass, most cuttings can go straight back into the substrate

    - Wipe the inside of the glass with a long tool if you can't see through it anymore

  • And skip this

    - Direct sunlight, even briefly

    - Fertiliser or plant feed, the substrate already has everything it needs for years of growth

    - Watering on a fixed schedule, "just in case" isn't necessary here

    - Closing a closed terrarium back up while the soil is soaking wet

Spotted something odd? Probably nothing to worry about

Heavy fogging that doesn't clear for days: open the lid or cork for a few hours to let the extra moisture out, then close it again.

Small white fuzzy patches on the soil: usually harmless, just the ecosystem settling in. Not a fan? Wipe it away with a dry tool, and give a closed terrarium a bit of extra air for a day.

A yellow or brown leaf: totally normal, often just the oldest leaf reacting to the move. Remove it and keep an eye on the new growth instead.

Tiny flies around an open terrarium: usually fungus gnats, from a top layer that's a bit too moist. Let the soil dry out more before you water again.

Fancy building your own?

This one came ready-made from our workshop. If you'd rather get your hands dirty yourself, as a project, a gift, or just for fun, our sister brand urbanjngl sells complete DIY terrarium kits: glass, substrate, moss, real plants and tools included. Take a look at urbanjngl.com.

Also a nice idea for corporate gifts

Want to make clients or colleagues happy with something that keeps growing instead of ending up in a drawer? Ask us about the cork with your company logo laser-engraved into it. Great for client gifts, employee gifts, or larger company orders. Get in touch at info@trendhero.nl for the options.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to water it as soon as it arrives? No, take it easy. Most ready-made terrariums don't need any water in the first weeks. Check the tips above first.

Why is the glass foggy? That's just the closed terrarium's water cycle at work, extra visible in the first days after transport and after watering.

How often do I water a closed terrarium? Rarely, often just a few times a year. Only when the substrate looks visibly dry.

How often do I water an open terrarium? Roughly every one to two weeks. Check with a finger first, and wait if the soil still feels damp.

Can I put it in direct sunlight? Better not. The glass concentrates the sunlight and can burn the plants or overheat the inside within an hour.

Does it need fertiliser? No, the substrate already has everything the plants need, for years.

Is the white fuzz on the soil dangerous? Usually not, it's just the ecosystem settling in. If it keeps coming back, a bit of fresh air helps.

The soil looked disturbed and there was condensation when it arrived, is that a problem? Not at all, totally normal after transport. It settles within a few days.

A leaf turned yellow or brown, is my plant dying? Usually not. Plants sometimes shed their oldest leaf after a move. Remove it and keep an eye on the new leaves instead.

Can I open a closed terrarium? Absolutely, to trim it or let some air in. Just close it again afterwards, that's normal maintenance.

How long will my terrarium last? Years, with very little effort, as long as the light and watering are right. It's a small ecosystem, not a bouquet.

Can I add extra plants, moss, or decoration myself? Definitely, in small amounts. Don't overcrowd it, and use clean or rinsed materials so you don't bring in pests or mould.

Can I build my own terrarium instead of buying one ready-made? Sure can. Complete DIY terrarium kits, with everything included, are available at urbanjngl.com.

Can I order this with our company logo on the cork? Yes, we'd love that. We laser-engrave company logos into the cork lid, popular for corporate and client gifts. Email us your logo and the quantity you need at info@trendhero.nl.

Still have questions, or does your terrarium look unwell? Send us a photo at info@trendhero.nl and we'll help you figure out what's going on.

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