Free Terrarium Care Checklist (Printable)
Terrarium Care Checklist
Your complete guide to keeping your terrarium healthy and thriving
Blue Squid Creation | bluesquidcreation.co.uk | Zoe Carlini, Addlestone, Surrey
Weekly Care Routine
Closed Terrariums (True Closed Terrariums)
- Check condensation levels on the glass. Light morning condensation that clears by afternoon is ideal.
- If glass is heavily fogged with large droplets, remove the lid for 2 to 3 hours to release excess moisture.
- If there is no condensation and the soil looks dry, mist lightly with a spray bottle (2 to 3 sprays) and replace the lid.
- Look for yellowing, brown, or dead leaves. Remove them immediately with clean tweezers or scissors to prevent mould.
- Check that no plant leaves are pressing against the glass. Trim any that are, as constant contact with damp glass causes rot.
- Rotate the terrarium a quarter turn so all sides get even light exposure.
- Confirm the terrarium is in bright, indirect light. Never direct sunlight, which overheats the enclosed environment.
Open Terrariums (Partially Enclosed Terrariums)
- Test the soil with your finger. If the top centimetre feels dry, water lightly with a small watering can or spray bottle.
- Avoid overwatering. If you can see water pooling in the drainage layer at the bottom, you have added too much. Let it dry out.
- Remove any dead or yellowing leaves.
- Trim plants that are growing too tall or spreading beyond the edges of the container.
- Check for pests, especially fungus gnats (small flies around the soil surface).
- Wipe the outside of the glass to keep it looking clean and clear.
- Confirm placement in bright, indirect light.
Succulent Terrariums
- Check if the soil is completely dry. Only water if it is. Succulents rot quickly in damp soil.
- If watering is needed, water the soil directly (not the leaves) and use very little. A small splash at the base of each plant is enough.
- Look for signs of stretching or leaning (etiolation). This means the terrarium needs more light.
- Check for any soft, translucent, or mushy leaves, which indicate overwatering. Remove affected leaves.
- Confirm the terrarium is in a bright spot. Succulents need more light than tropical terrarium plants.
- Brush away any dust or debris from the leaves using a soft paintbrush.
Monthly Care Tasks
- Deep inspection: carefully look at every plant for signs of disease, pests, or stress.
- Check the drainage layer. Can you see water sitting at the very bottom? If yes, reduce watering frequency.
- Wipe the inside of the glass with a clean, damp cloth to remove any algae, water marks, or soil splashes.
- Prune any plants that have outgrown their space. Cut back to just above a leaf node to encourage bushy growth.
- If moss is drying out or turning brown (in closed terrariums), mist it directly with water.
- Check decorative elements (stones, driftwood) for mould or algae. Clean or replace if needed.
- For closed terrariums: leave the lid off for 30 minutes to allow fresh air exchange, then put the lid back on.
- Inspect the soil level. If it has compacted noticeably, gently loosen the surface with a wooden stick or chopstick, being careful not to damage roots.
Seasonal Care Adjustments
| Season | Closed Terrariums | Open Terrariums | Succulent Terrariums |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (March to May) | Plants become more active. Prune more often. May need slightly more water as growth increases. Good time to remove any winter dieback. | Resume regular weekly watering. Plants will start growing again. Watch for new growth that needs training or support. | Growth resumes. Gradually increase watering to every 2 weeks. Move to a brighter spot if it was moved during winter. |
| Summer (June to August) | Watch for overheating. Move away from windows on very hot days (above 30 degrees C). Ventilate more often if condensation is heavy. Never place in direct sunlight. | May need watering twice a week in hot weather. Morning watering is best. Keep out of intense afternoon sun to prevent scorching. | Peak growing season. Water every 2 weeks. Ensure maximum light but watch for leaf scorch on south-facing sills during heatwaves. |
| Autumn (September to November) | Growth slows. Reduce any additional watering. Move to a brighter spot as daylight decreases. Remove any spent growth. | Reduce watering frequency as temperatures drop. Every 10 to 14 days may be sufficient. Check light levels as days shorten. | Begin reducing watering to every 3 weeks. Succulents begin to slow down. Ensure they still get maximum available light. |
| Winter (December to February) | Plants are semi-dormant. Water sparingly. Keep away from cold draughts AND radiators. Ideal temperature: 15 to 25 degrees C. Move to the brightest available spot. | Water sparingly, only when soil is noticeably dry. Keep above 10 degrees C. Avoid placing near single-glazed windows that get very cold at night. | Minimal watering (once a month at most). Many succulents are dormant. Keep in the brightest possible spot. Protect from frost if near windows. |
Terrarium Care by Type: Quick Reference
Closed Terrarium
- Water: rarely (check from time to time)
- Light: bright, indirect (NO direct sun)
- Humidity: high (self-regulating)
- Temperature: 15 to 25 degrees C
- Plants: ferns, fittonias, moss, peperomia
- Key risk: overwatering, overheating
Open Terrarium
- Water: weekly (when soil surface is dry)
- Light: bright, indirect
- Humidity: moderate (air circulates)
- Temperature: 15 to 25 degrees C
- Plants: foliage plants, air plants, some ferns
- Key risk: underwatering, draughts
Succulent Terrarium
- Water: from time to time (soil must be dry)
- Light: bright, direct or indirect
- Humidity: low
- Temperature: 10 to 30 degrees C
- Plants: echeveria, haworthia, crassula, sedum
- Key risk: overwatering, too little light
Troubleshooting Guide
Heavy condensation (closed)
Remove lid for 2 to 3 hours. Normal in first 2 weeks. If persistent, you added too much water initially.
Remove lid for 2 to 3 hours. Normal in first 2 weeks. If persistent, you added too much water initially.
No condensation (closed)
Terrarium is too dry. Mist 2 to 3 sprays of water, replace lid, check after 24 hours.
Terrarium is too dry. Mist 2 to 3 sprays of water, replace lid, check after 24 hours.
Yellowing leaves
Usually overwatering. Open lid (closed), reduce watering (open/succulent). Remove yellow leaves immediately.
Usually overwatering. Open lid (closed), reduce watering (open/succulent). Remove yellow leaves immediately.
White mould on soil
Common in new terrariums. Usually resolves itself. Improve ventilation. Sprinkle ground cinnamon (natural antifungal).
Common in new terrariums. Usually resolves itself. Improve ventilation. Sprinkle ground cinnamon (natural antifungal).
Leggy, stretched plants
Not enough light. Move to a brighter spot. Rotate regularly for even growth.
Not enough light. Move to a brighter spot. Rotate regularly for even growth.
Leaves touching glass
Trim immediately. Leaves against wet glass will rot. Prune regularly to prevent this.
Trim immediately. Leaves against wet glass will rot. Prune regularly to prevent this.
Green algae on glass
Too much light. Move to a slightly shadier spot. Wipe glass clean. Reduce watering.
Too much light. Move to a slightly shadier spot. Wipe glass clean. Reduce watering.
Fungus gnats (tiny flies)
Let soil surface dry out. Place a yellow sticky trap inside. They breed in damp soil.
Let soil surface dry out. Place a yellow sticky trap inside. They breed in damp soil.
Mushy succulent leaves
Overwatering. Stop watering immediately. Remove affected leaves. Let soil dry out completely before next watering.
Overwatering. Stop watering immediately. Remove affected leaves. Let soil dry out completely before next watering.
Brown, crispy leaf edges
Too little humidity (open terrariums) or too much heat/sun (all types). Adjust position and watering.
Too little humidity (open terrariums) or too much heat/sun (all types). Adjust position and watering.
Things to avoid: Never place any terrarium in direct afternoon sunlight. Never use tap water that has been sitting for less than 24 hours (let chlorine evaporate, or use rainwater). Never seal succulents in a closed container. Never overwater; when in doubt, wait a few more days.
Pro tip: Keep a small notebook or phone note to track when you water and any changes you notice. After a few weeks, you will develop a feel for what your specific terrarium needs. Every terrarium is unique, especially when made with upcycled glass, so yours may behave slightly differently from general guidelines.
Essential Tools for Terrarium Care
- Fine mist spray bottle (for watering closed terrariums)
- Small, sharp scissors or pruning snips (for trimming)
- Long tweezers or chopsticks (for removing debris and adjusting plants in narrow containers)
- Soft paintbrush (for cleaning succulent leaves and removing soil from glass)
- Clean, lint-free cloth (for wiping glass)
- Ground cinnamon (natural antifungal, keep a small amount handy)
When to Ask for Help
If your terrarium is showing signs of trouble that you cannot resolve with the steps above, get in touch with Blue Squid Creation. Zoe is always happy to offer care advice for your terrarium. You can also visit the detailed care page at bluesquidcreation.co.uk/caring-for-my-terrarium for more guidance.
Follow @bluesquidcreation on Instagram and Blue.squid.creation on Facebook for seasonal care tips and new terrarium releases.