I heard from a member of the class of 2013 that terrariums are “kind of hip these days.” This member of the class of 2013 also mentioned that she “knows people who hang terrariums from string and have terrarium gallery exhibits.” This post is not an instruction manual for terrarium gallery exhibits, but it does contain an illustrated guide to assembling your very own terrarium. Click through if you want to be “kind of hip these days.”

Step 1. Gather your materials.

• Locate a glass container. One with a lid is preferable, though mine doesn’t have a lid. Goodwill and Pat Catans are good places to check for glass containers.
• Buy some “craft rocks” from Pat Catans or steal some Middle Path pebbles. I did both. You should have enough rocks or pebbles to fill the bottom of your container.
• Acquire succulents or cacti. Succulent and cacti are the living things that you stick in a terrarium because they don’t need a lot of water and are also fairly small.  I purchased my succulents from the Greenhouse at the Mount Vernon Developmental Center.
• Get figurines or antiques or something to stick in your soil to make your terrarium special.

Step 2. Fill the bottom of your glass container with “craft rocks.”

Step 3. Pour a layer of Middle Path pebbles over your “craft rocks.”

Step 4. Arrange your succulents (or cacti).

Distribute the dirt your succulents were planted in over the Middle Path pebbles. Dig little holes to nestle your succulents into. Nestle your succulents into the little holes you dug. Cover their roots completely with soil. (The cashier at the Greenhouse told me that I should mix sand into my soil because succulents like that but I didn’t follow her instructions. Hopefully my plants don’t die.)

Step 5. Add your figurines.

My terrarium is aquarium themed, but yours should be unique to your own interests! Pat Catans has a horrifying amount of craft supplies that I am sure you will want to spend money on, so follow your creative hearts.

Step 5. Add water to your terrarium until it trickles down through the rocks. Water again when the soil looks like it needs some moisture.

See, being “kinda hip these days” is easy!

Props to Jamie at rookiemag.com for providing the inspiration for this post.