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Glam Journal

How do you care for succulents in a terrarium?

Author

Matthew Perez

Updated on March 20, 2026

How do you care for succulents in a terrarium?

Only water your terrarium with a small amount of water every couple of weeks. Do not overwhelm the plant by soaking it with water, as the plant will become too wet and die. Give a small to medium sized terrarium a few ounces of water at a time, allowing it to dry completely in between waterings.

Would succulents do well in a terrarium?

Succulents are perfect for terrariums because they grow relatively slowly but the condensation that may build up can kill the little plants if the right medium isn’t used. Line the bottom of the container with fine gravel or rocks. Plant the little plants in the cactus mix and firm soil around them.

How much sun does a succulent terrarium need?

Your succulents should be kept at room temperature and receive at least 6 hours of direct or indirect sunlight every day. Allow for the soil in your container to dry out before you water your terrarium again.

What do succulents look like when they get too much sun?

When succulents are getting the right amount of sun they’ll often “blush” or change colors. This is such a beautiful transformation to see! If they start to get too much sun however the leaves will actually burn. You may begin to notice white or pale patches on the succulent leaves.

How often do you water succulents in a terrarium?

Depending on your location, you may need to water your succulents more or less frequently. As a general rule of thumb, if your plants are in the correct gritty soil mix and have adequate sunlight, you should water them every 3 to 4 days.

Why put pebbles on succulents?

The main purpose of placing pebbles on the bottom of the potted succulent plant is to enhance drainage. Succulents and cacti naturally grow in sandy soils that drain quickly. Succulent roots should never be left in wet soil. The rocks help move water through the soil to prevent the roots from rotting.

Does a terrarium need a lid?

Open terrariums do not require a lid. It is perfect for plants that prefer drier conditions and do not require a moist environment. Unlike closed terrariums, open terrariums do not have a water cycle since it is open to the air around us. or buy your own DIY/ready made terrarium here.

Do I need charcoal in my terrarium?

Charcoal is an important element in a terrarium because it helps remove toxins and odors. If you don’t have charcoal, you can still make a terrarium, but you’ll need to to take extra steps to ensure your plants remain healthy and that the environment inside your terrarium remains clean and odor-free.

What does it mean when a succulent closes up?

Too much sunlight Stress due to extensive sunlight will trigger the rosettes of your succulents to close up tightly. This is their defense mechanism to protect its leaves from receiving intense light and heat.

Can succulents be in full sun outside?

The short answer is yes! They thrive in sunny locations with warm, dry climates and can tolerate some neglect, so growing succulents outdoors is a great option. Grow succulents in-ground, in pots, or tuck them away in unexpected planting spots.

Does a terrarium need sunlight?

Do terrariums need sunlight? Most need either direct or indirect light but artificial light may also be used. There are three types of light you can provide for your terrarium. It is recommended to use fluorescent or LED bulbs.

Do you really need charcoal for a terrarium?

A handy tip for open terrariums is to cover their opening with glad wrap if you are going on holiday or don’t have time to water it for a period of time. For succulent terrariums please err on the side of under watering. Only once every ten days is sufficient and only one teaspoon or two sprays is adequate.

What is the best way to care for succulents?

Handle succulents with care, because the stems are often brittle and will easily break. Succulents should be repotted every year. Remove the succulent from its pot, and gently loosen the roots with a thin stick to remove the old potting soil. Put the plant in a slightly larger pot, and add fresh potting soil.

How to care for a succulent in your apartment?

Place the succulent in the right spot for indirect light. As said earlier,low light doesn’t mean the absolute lack of light.

  • Use the draught and flood method to avoid overwatering.
  • Avoid containers that don’t drain.
  • Provide breathing space.
  • Know your colors.
  • Use the Right Potting Soil.
  • How to make a tabletop succulent terrarium?

    Add the Pebbles The first step is to add the pebbles to the glass container.

  • Add the Charcoal or Perlite The next item to add is the perlite or charcoal. With charcoal,you have the option of either shards or granules.
  • Add the Moss The moss you add is to form a barrier between the charcoal below the soil that will be added on top.