A STEP-BY-STEP TUTORIAL ON HOW TO MAKE AN *EASY* DIY TERRARIUM USING THRIFT STORE SUPPLIES | YOUTUBE VIDEO
Hello creative friends, welcome back to another Trashy Treasure Tuesday! Are you a plant lover like me? 🪴 My sister and I took a road trip to The Watering Can and we were admiring their Terrariums – gorgeous but not inexpensive. I can’t wait to share how we leveled up these DIY Terrariums using thirft supplies.
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I’m also joining my TTT crew and sharing links to their projects below. I’m looking forward to seeing what they’ve created and I hope you join me on today’s tour as well!
Here are the thrift store candle vessels we started with. We found these candle holders at our local thrift store selling for under $5 each.
Here are a few inspirational terrariums we saw at The Watering Can. The small glass terrariums were selling for $32 to $49.
The larger glass terrariums were selling for $75 to $95.
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WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Thrift Candle Holders – SALVAGED
White Lightning Cleaner
Shop Towels
Potting Soil
Decorative Garden Rocks
Small Plants or Succulents
Black Spray Paint
TERRARIUM VESSEL IDEAS
You can use a variety of vessels to create beautiful DIY plant terrariums. Most of the list below can be found at local thrift stores, garage sales or in your kitchen cabinet!
Here are some popular options:
- Glass Mason Jars
- Fish Bowls
- Vases
- Hanging Glass Globes
- Containers with Lids
- Old bottles and Jars
Choose a vessel that fits your style and the plants you plan to use.
DIY PLANT TERRARIUM STEP-BY-STEP
CLEAN AND PREP
Even before cleaning, Andrea and I took these thrift lanterns apart. Once disassembled them, we cleaned the metal body with this cleaner and then used a window cleaner for all the glass. The one lantern with the grills needed taping off with painter’s tape.
SPRAY PAINTING
To turn these thrift lanterns into terrariums and have them all cohesive, we made a makeshift spray booth out of cardboard and gave them 2 coats of this Rustoleum Spray paint for Rust.
Working outdoors with a mask is ideal when using spray paint. It also dries within an hour so spraying two or three coats goes quickly.
PREP SUPPLIES
We bought a variety of mini plants at the nursery. Some idea tiny plants for a glass terrarium are –
- Jade plants
- Baby Ferns
- Air plants
- Succulents
- Spider Plants
- Moss
- Cacti
Here’s the box of plants we purchased. We picked them for their different color, textures, and heights.
We also bought a bag of potting soil and decorative rocks from Home Depot for 5.99. This is a better deal than the dollar store rocks although they do need washing to make them look pretty before adding them to the bottom of the DIY terrarium it’s a deal for such a large bag.
ADD ROCKS AND SOIL
Now for the fun part – designing this DIY terrarium! We did a 1/3 ratio of rocks + soil. The rocks are for drainage. And enough soil is needed to house and cover the roots of the baby plants. Once we had the rocks and soil in place, it was time to pick out the terrarium plants. Odd numbers often look more interesting. We started with 3 baby plants but then decided on 2 baby hens and chicks so ended up with five.
Care Tips:
- Place your terrarium in a location with indirect sunlight.
- Monitor moisture levels; terrariums often need less water than traditional pots due to their enclosed environment.
Super easy!
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These DIY terrariums are such a creative and affordable way to bring greenery into your space! I love how you transformed thrift store finds into something beautiful and unique. The step-by-step tutorial makes it easy to follow along, and the variety of plants adds so much charm to each piece. Plus, they make perfect gifts for plant lovers! Definitely going to try this out—thank you for sharing such an inspiring project!
Thanks so much Elizabeth!
Adorable! Love them!
Thanks my friend! XOXO
Love these! Number two is my fave! So inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks Anita, I’m so glad you like them and have a fave!
Denise these terriaums look stunning. I love all of them because I love all lanterns.. lol.. My favorite one is Number #2 , Love the shape of it. Yes they could be awesome gifts for one lucky person. Thank you for the inspiration.
Thanks so much Lorri! I think #2 is becoming the fan favorite! 😉
The terrariums are beautiful. I couldn’t pick just one favorite. My favorites are both #1 and #2. Isn’t it great you get to keep one.
I would love to make one and since Gold Rush (3 days of outdoor antique and flea market/vintage shopping) is this weekend in our town and a neighboring community) I plan to be on the lookout. My favorite place to shop. And I never go home empty handed. Thanks for the idea and the how-to directions.
ohhhhh, Gold Rush sound like my kinda shopping! Have fun and if you find and try this, I’d LOVE to hear how it goes Joanne! Happy thrifting and salvaging! XOXO
Personally I think plants destined to live in a terrarium will have a short, unpleasant life unless cared for meticulously. I think a ‘still life’ arrangement could live more happily.
My sister has made a few of these and the plants are thriving nicely. But yes, faux plants would work awesome as well!
They are absolutely beautiful. Thanks for the great idea. They will make great gifts; for new neighbors, hosts, or just thinking of you,etc. Thanks!
Thank you Dana!😊
Those turned out so great!! I love them! xoxo
Thanks so much Nancy! XOXO
They all look nicer than the ones in the store! I prefer #2 as it is sleek and understated yet elegant.
Hope you have a great week/end, Denise!
Thank you Caye! Andrea has claimed the shorty and the more ornate one so #2 is mine… YAY! Hope you have a great week as well Caye! XOXO
Wow. I would never have seen these as a terrarium. So glad you did.
My daughter would love these – being a plant enthusiast
As others said, great gift idea. Hmmmm ….
So pretty !
I agree, its a great gift idea! Thanks so much P! XOXO
You NEVER cease to amaze me!
You definitely have the “Midas” touch!
awww, thank Donna! So glad you like them!
No 2 is my favorite! It’s beautiful and you made it look so easy. I want to try this now!💕
You’d have fun with this Nicki!! My sister picked #1 and #3 so #2 is mine…hehe. 😉 Have a great week my friend. XOXO
These turned out amazing! They look better than the inspiration!! XOXO
Yay, thank you my friend! I kinda like them better too, hehe. 😉
Hi Denise,
#2 is my pick! I think because of the ornateness of the ironwork. I love The Watering Can and am always inspired by their products and plants! I think I’ll be making some of these so thanks for the inspiration! Have an amazing day!
Isn’t The Watering Can awesome – so much eye candy! I’m always so inspired when I visit. I like all the ornate detail on #2 as well. I’m torn between #1 and #2 so I might just let Andrea decide which ones she wants. Wishing you an amazing day too Karen!
They look great! My daughter makes them but I’m not sure if she’s used activated charcoal. Is it under the rocks?
Thanks Jeanne! And yes, activated charcoal can be added in to keep mold and mildew away. My sister has made a good few of these over the years and has never bothered adding in the activated charcoal and has never had any issues. I think climate may have something to do with it. If you live in a very humid/damp environment, it wouldn’t hurt to add some in.
This makes my heart happy. I love any and all plants.
Same here! Thanks Larissa! XOXO
Hi Denise. What an adorable gift idea. These terrariums are so pretty. I love #2 best!
Super adorable gift idea, right?! I have a few friends/neighbours on my Christmas list that would LOVE these as a gift. Now that I know how fast and easy they are to put together, I’ll probably be making a few more. In the meantime, I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for more lanterns at the thrift stores. More ornate ones…like #2! 🤗