One of the most common questions we receive at Inner Terrascape is:

“How do I care for my terrarium?”

The beauty of a terrarium is that it is a self-sustaining miniature ecosystem designed to require very little maintenance. With the right balance of light, water, and occasional pruning, your terrarium can continue to thrive for years.

Follow these simple care tips to keep your living world healthy and beautiful.

1. Give Your Terrarium a Weekly Dose of Sunlight

Plants need light to grow, and your terrarium is no exception.

Place your terrarium near a bright window where it can receive indirect natural light throughout the week. Once every week, allow it to receive approximately one hour of gentle sunlight.

If you feel the plants need a little extra boost, you may provide an additional 10–15 minutes of sunlight mid-week.

Important:

Avoid direct sunlight for extended periods.

Terrariums act like miniature greenhouses. Too much direct sunlight can cause the internal temperature to rise quickly, leading to plant stress, excessive moisture buildup, and damage to the ecosystem.

A bright windowsill with indirect light is the ideal location.

2. Water Sparingly

When it comes to terrariums, less is often more.

Add only 2–3 ml of water once a week using a dropper or pipette. Water directly near the plants and moss rather than flooding the soil.

The biggest mistake people make is overwatering.

A slightly dry terrarium is usually not a problem. Most terrarium plants can comfortably tolerate short periods of reduced moisture. However, excessive water can quickly create an unhealthy environment.

Remember:
A little dry won’t kill your terrarium. Overwatering might!

3. Keep the Glass Clear

Light needs to pass through the glass to reach the plants effectively.

Whenever you notice condensation or mist building up on the inside of the glass, gently wipe it away with a clean cloth or tissue.

A clear terrarium allows:

• Better light penetration
• Healthier moss and plant growth
• Better visibility of your miniature landscape

Avoid misting the terrarium unless specifically advised.

Our goal is to allow sunlight and ambient light to reach the plants directly without being blocked by excessive condensation.

4. Trim Overgrown Plants

As your ecosystem matures, some plants may begin to outgrow their space.

Use a small pair of scissors to trim any overgrown leaves and remove the cuttings using tweezers.

Regular pruning helps:

• Maintain the design of the landscape
• Prevent overcrowding
• Improve airflow within the ecosystem
• Encourage healthier growth

Think of it as giving your miniature world an occasional haircut.

5. Meet Your Tiny Helpers: Springtails

Inside every Inner Terrascape ecosystem lives a hardworking cleanup crew known as springtails.

These tiny beneficial insects help maintain balance by feeding on decaying organic matter, mold, and decomposing plant material.

They play a vital role in keeping the ecosystem healthy.

However, when a terrarium is overwatered, excessive decay can occur faster than the springtails can manage. This can lead to unhealthy conditions that affect the plants, moss, and overall balance of the ecosystem.

This is another reason why avoiding overwatering is so important.

Your springtail friends are excellent caretakers—but even they have their limits.

6. Keep the Lid On

Your terrarium has been carefully designed to function as a closed ecosystem. Keep the glass lid on at all times, including during its weekly sunlight session.

The lid helps maintain the delicate balance of humidity and moisture inside the terrarium while protecting the ecosystem from external contaminants.

The only time you should interact with the lid is when:

• Watering the terrarium
• Trimming plants
• Wiping away condensation

Other than that, let nature do its work.

7. Provide Daily Light

In addition to its weekly sunlight session, your terrarium should receive 6–8 hours of ambient light every day.

This can come from:

• Indirect natural light near a window
• Bright indoor spaces
• Suitable LED lighting

Consistent daily light supports healthy plant growth and keeps your ecosystem vibrant.

8. Overwatered Your Terrarium? Don’t Panic

Even the most experienced terrarium owners occasionally add a little too much water. The good news is that nature has a remarkable way of finding balance.

If you feel you’ve overwatered your terrarium, don’t panic. Simply place it in gentle sunlight and leave the glass lid slightly open for a couple of hours. This allows excess moisture to escape while giving the plants and moss access to fresh air and light.

The additional light helps the plants photosynthesize, while airflow encourages excess water to evaporate naturally. Together, the plants, moss, microorganisms, and springtails work to restore balance within the ecosystem. Once the excess moisture has reduced and the condensation begins to clear, close the lid again and return the terrarium to its usual location.

Remember, terrariums are living ecosystems designed to adapt and self-regulate.

Sometimes all they need is a little help from nature.

Let Nature Do the Rest

Every Inner Terrascape is designed to be a living reminder that growth doesn’t need to be rushed.

With a little light, a few drops of water, and occasional maintenance, your miniature ecosystem will continue to evolve and thrive.

Because caring for a terrarium isn’t just about keeping plants alive.

It’s about slowing down, observing nature, and appreciating the beauty of a living world in miniature.

Quick Care Checklist

✓ 1 hour of sunlight once every week
✓ Optional 10–15 minutes extra sunlight mid-week
✓ Keep near a bright window with indirect light
✓ Add only 2–3 ml of water once a week
✓ Never overwater
✓ Wipe away condensation whenever it appears
✓ Keep the glass lid on at all times
✓ Trim overgrown leaves regularly
✓ Allow 6–8 hours of ambient light daily
✓ Let your springtails do their job

Light, air, water, and time. That’s the balance that allows something magical to grow.

Quick Tip: If the glass remains heavily misted for several days or water begins pooling at the bottom, it’s usually a sign that the terrarium has received more water than it needs. A few hours of indirect sunlight with the lid slightly ajar will often help restore the ecosystem’s balance.