When and How to Water Your Terrarium?
Without a doubt, this is one of the questions you ask us most often. Knowing when and how to water a closed terrarium is key to maintaining its balance and ensuring plants thrive. In this post, we explain everything you need to know to keep your terrarium hydrated without disturbing the ecosystem.
How much water does a closed terrarium need?
There are two key signs that will tell you it's time to water your terrarium:
Condensation on the glass:
In a healthy terrarium, you'll be able to observe slight condensation on the glass for a few hours a day, which indicates that the water cycle is working correctly. If you notice that for several days in a row the glass is completely dry, it's possible that the ecosystem needs a little water. Before watering, also check the condition of the moss and substrate.
Moss Condition:
Moss is a great indicator of humidity within the terrarium. If it remains spongy and a vibrant green color, everything is in order. But if it starts to dry out, turn yellowish, or lose its texture, it's a sign that the humidity level has decreased too much.
How to water a terrarium correctly?
If your terrarium needs water, follow these steps to avoid overwatering and maintain the ecosystem's balance:
There are two safe ways to hydrate the moss in your terrarium:
- Light spraying: Use a sprayer with distilled water or rainwater and gently mist over the moss and plants. Make sure not to waterlog the substrate. The best way to do this is to spray onto the glass, so the water precipitates down to the substrate.
- Moss immersion: Remove the dry moss, immerse it in distilled water for a few minutes, and gently squeeze it before putting it back in place.
For the other terrarium plants, a light spray or a few drops of water at the base of each plant will suffice.
What type of water is best for a terrarium?
We always recommend using distilled or rainwater, as tap water contains lime and minerals that can leave residues on the glass and alter the terrarium's aesthetics.
If you only have access to tap water, you can let it sit in an open container for 24 hours to allow the lime to evaporate before using it.
Have you overwatered? Here's how to fix it
If you've accidentally overwatered, follow these steps to correct the excess humidity:
- Open the terrarium and let it ventilate for a few days so the excess humidity evaporates.
- Observe the condensation: when you notice that the glass is no longer constantly fogged up and there are no puddles in the substrate, it's time to close it again.
- If humidity persists: if the problem continues after a few days, you can carefully remove the excess water with a paper napkin.
Conclusion: observation is key
The best way to know if your terrarium needs water is to observe it. A well-balanced terrarium hardly requires watering, but if the glass is dry for several days or the moss starts to look withered, it's time to act.
Remember: it's better to under-water than to over-water. If you follow these recommendations, your terrarium will remain healthy and in balance for a long time.
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