Indoor Plants Help Reduce Stress? I’m Making a Terrarium

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We all could use an idea or two to help reduce stress. Here’s my zen tip to ease your post-lockdown blues. We’ll make a simple glass terrarium for your home or work desk.

Can plants really soothe your stress? Do you hum while you water your indoor potted ferns? Why is your neighbor talking to her orchids? Studies show that taking care of plants, even just the tiny potted ones, does help soothe your cares away.

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Just a few weeks ago while I was building a terrarium, for about an hour, my mind and hands were so engaged in carefully constructing layers of smooth rocks, moist soil, and plump succulents.

When my little project was done, I became aware of a shift in my mood. From cranky (there’s the endless pile of dirty dishes in the sink) to calm and relaxed.

So I decided to make a routine. Every morning three times a week, I’d walk around my house watering all my indoor plants.

I have several, they’re in my living room, bedrooms, and balconies. Some big, some small. There are also the poinsettias from last Christmas that I’m trying to keep alive (wait, really?)

I’m not on the “talk to the plants” level yet, but I do enjoy the serenity that goes with my watering rounds. And now that I think about it, a plant-care routine is indeed a calming activity.

But what is it about gardening or even just caring for terrariums that help shift our mood?

I grow plants for many reasons; to please my eye or to please my soul, to challenge the elements or to challenge my patience, for novelty or for nostalgia, but mostly for the joy in seeing them grow.”

– David Hobson

Scientific research has shown that even the simple act of nurturing a plant can reduce your stress and anxiety.

That sounds to me like a good self-care activity, doesn’t it?

So the next time you find yourself humming a tune while you water your plants, take good notice of how you’re really soothing your stress away.

What is in a terrarium?

A terrarium is an open or sealed glass container containing soil and tiny plants, usually succulents (because they don’t need a lot of water to thrive).

They are like the little tabletop gardens in your home, kind of like surrounding yourself with tiny landscapes.

Why do you need to make a terrarium?

You need to make a terrarium because when you live in a place where there’s no park nearby or you don’t have the time to take a nature hike, a terrarium would be your beautiful alternative to indoor nature.

You can have 1, 10, or as many as you like of these mini-landscapes carefully placed in many parts of your home.

Think of it as being under the influence of Mother Earth.

And that, my friend, can be a good thing for your mind and soul.

So if terrariums around the house do help reduce your stress, let’s go build one!

You can keep making more as you get the hang of it. Watch time fly by while you’re immersed in making your little oasis.

Shovel some soil into a clear glass container and feel your nurturing self begin to dial down the stress.

Below is a step-by-step guide to making your first personal terrarium.

Who knows, you might be surprised to discover you have an inner gardener in you.

What do you need to make a simple terrarium?

This is a basic terrarium that’s simple to do if you’re new to this idea.

1. small succulents or your preferred plants –

succulents can thrive both inside and outside your home; but if you prefer to use other kinds of plants, just make sure they’re indoor plants

2. glass container with a wide, open-top –

so you’ll have easy access and the plants will have good circulation

3. little rocks, pebbles, or gravel –

this is just a small project so you can probably just grab a pack each at a household discount store. If you’re going to make several terrariums, you might want to get the big bags at the garden center.

4. charcoal (horticultural) –

you can get this at your local gardening center, or ask for activated charcoal from the aquarium supplies store.

5. landscape fabric –

or any old screening you have at home, but I like to use non-woven tissue paper. You can find this at your local floral supplies or fabric store.

6. potting mix soil –

grab the one that’s labeled for cacti and succulents.

Here are the 8 simple steps to make a simple terrarium:

1. Trace the bottom of your container –

use a piece of landscape fabric, old screening, or non-woven tissue, then cut; this “barrier” piece will keep the roots from the charcoal. It will also prevent the soil on top from being washed down to the bottom of the container.

2. pour the rocks/pebbles/gravel on the bottom of the container –

this allows for proper drainage every time you water your terrarium.

create a layer of different kinds of rocks if you like

3. pile a thin layer of charcoal on top of the rocks –

this will help control any odor.

4. place the fabric piece (from step 1) on top of the charcoal –

then scoop soil (for succulents) on top of your fabric “barrier” piece.

5. remove the succulents (or the plant of your choice) from their plastic container –

after you’ve done 1 – 4, pick up your succulent and loosen the soil from the roots. This will encourage them to grow in the new soil.

6. replant them –

place your loosened succulents/plants into the soil of your container, leaving some space in between so there’s room for them to grow.

7. add another layer –

carefully place a few more decorative rocks, pebbles, or even moss if you like around the base of your re-planted succulents/plants.

8. water lightly –

this will help the plants “settle in” and allow the roots to have good contact with the soil; water again only when the topsoil feels dry; you can also use a small ice cube for good measure.

That’s it! You just made your little bliss.

This small, simple glass terrarium is also perfect for your work desk.

Notes about terrariums:

• Terrariums are nice little gardens inside your house. They’re lovely and refreshing to see on a shelf in your kitchen, on your work desk, or in your living room.
• And you may also want to experiment with different shapes of containers if you’re feeling more creative.
• For deeper containers or smaller more delicate plants, you’ll need long-necked tweezers. You can purchase this from any home and garden store.
• Place your new terrarium in a bright spot but with indirect sunlight. Succulents may need a lot of light but direct sunlight can “cook” them.

• Experiment with many types of indoor plants other than succulents.

I just find succulents to be more resilient and can survive longer on those days when I’m out on travel.

What Other Benefits Do You Get from Nurturing Plants?

1. It improves your memory and concentration because ornamental plants in your home or in the workplace stimulate your senses and your mind.

2. Flowers generate happiness by increasing your level of positive energy.

3. When you spend more time outside in nature, it improves your mental health and outlook on life.

4. Gardening can act as therapy for those who’ve undergone trauma.

5. It helps you heal faster when there are live plants or aesthetically pleasing gardens in hospitals.

Another good thing you can do to help reduce your stress is by listening to good music. It energizes and instigates mental wellness. Check out my post on Dr. Trinh’s presentation on Why Listening to Music is Really, Really Good For You.

Well, maybe you can put on your headphones after you’ve made your terrarium.

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So, do we nurture our plants or do plants nurture us?

I’m sure you’d agree, it’s both.

“Life begins the day you start a garden.”

– Chinese Proverb

A random question for you: Will you consult with a doctor who keeps dried or dead plants in his/her office?

On to the next post,