Before you start creating your own bottle garden you will need, well, a bottle. Jars, bowls and other glass containers work just as well too, as long as they can be properly sealed. Most sizes will work for your terrarium, but big containers are easier to maintain. 

You can choose any type of plant you want, but when choosing the plants for your terrarium make sure that they need the same amount of water.
Plants that consume different amounts of water can’t be kept in the same container. You can even choose plants that produce flowers to add some colour.  

The first thing you have to put into your terrarium is a layer of pebbles. The pebbles at the bottom of the container will allow water to collect at the bottom. That way, your plants won’t drown. 

After you’ve placed the pebbles in your glass container, you need to cover them with charcoal. The charcoal works as a filter, removing impurities in the ecosystem. Don’t overdo it though, A tablespoon will do just fine.

After you’ve added the charcoal it is time to put in the soil. Your plants will take root in this soil, so add enough of it, so your plants have room to grow. Add compost to your soil for nutrients. You can easily make compost yourself by grounding eggshells and old coffee. 

Now it is time to take the plants you’ve chosen and add them to your terrarium. You can choose any plant you want, but small plants usually work better in a closed ecosystem. Prepare your plants by breaking off the hard soil around the roots and pulling off any long roots. Carefully place your plants in small holes in the soil.

If you want, you can add more stones to your terrarium. This is not a necessary step, but it will definitely make your terrarium look great!

Add some water to your container and close it all up. Next, choose a place in your house with a lot of sunlight. For the first few days keep a close watch over your ecosystem. If your plants look a little pale or weak, just open up the lid and let some damp out of the container. If they look a little dry, just add some extra water. Congratulations, you have yourself a terrarium!