Scottish Terrarium: How to Create Your Own Scottish Highlands in a Jar (For Under £10)

Terrariums, fashionable “bottle gardens” that enhanced the aesthetics of living spaces, first became popular in the 1970s.

These days, these “botanical bois” are back on the shelves and selling fast.

You will find that most are tropical themes and while we love good succulents there are many terrarium themes to choose from including (but not limited to) Scottish ones.

The best part? They are as cheap as you want them to be! You can repurpose an old lightbulb into a beautiful terrarium filled with all the plants you want.

This step-by-step guide will help you get started.

– glass containers, e.g. a fishbowl, jar, lightbulb, even an empty tic tac box can be used (fishbowls at Asda cost £4)

– Pebbles – make up the bottom layer of your terrarium, they are essential for draining water and can be bought online for under £3

– Soil – While plant shops appreciate your trade, you can just grab soil from your garden, about 5 handfuls

– Selection of plants, e.g. B. Scottish Moss, Ferns, Hepatica, Thistles etc. (Scottish Thistle seeds cost less than £3 online)

– Make sure your glass container is clean before you start (to avoid harming plants)

– Add four handfuls of pebbles to the bottom of your container and “shoogle” with them to distribute them evenly (this may vary depending on the size of your container etc. but you always want around 2 inches of pebbles)

– Add five handfuls of soil to your layer of pebbles (3-4 inches deep)

– Poke a hole in the soil with a spoon and insert the plant of your choice (repeat this process for as many plants as you like)

– Spread moss on the soil surface for the rest of the unused area

– Finally, pour a small amount of water into the terrarium (Optional: you can then seal the jar, but if you do we recommend reopening it once a week to reintroduce fresh air)

Luckily, most terrariums require very little maintenance.

Even the most notorious “plant killers” can rest easy knowing that terrariums are relatively self-sufficient.

However, to optimize results, we recommend placing your terrarium near a window for sunlight and cleaning the inside of the glass with a sponge attached to a stick.

You may also want to rotate the container occasionally so all plants get their fair share of the sun.

For airtight terrariums, you only need to water the plants about every month.

If you find dead leaves, remove them quickly to prevent rot and replace fast-growing specimens if they threaten to overgrow your terrarium.

Many studies support the idea that the presence of plants can reduce anxiety and help refresh the mind after intense periods of concentration.

Other cultures, such as Japan, also harness the healing powers of nature with ancient practices such as “forest bathing” (“shinrin yoku”), which involves walking in nature to relax the mind.

Scotland, as the world’s leading hiking destination and outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, also offers botanical beauty like no other.

So bring the best of nature indoors by building your own terrarium today.