Building a Cheap Terrarium

Growing Carnivorous Plants

Cheap Terrarium

For the beginner, the best start is a cheap terrarium that is designed to sit near a window. You can set this up for less than $5! I have made many of these for people starting out. To make this, I use two 8-inch clear plastic water catches used for hanging potted plants. These are typically less than a dollar at garden centers. To make the terrarium, I poke a hole just under the top rim of the containers and connect them together with a twist-tie. Next, I cut four triangles measuring an inch on each side into the container that will be the top. This terrarium can be used with either the Tray Watering Method by filling the bottom with an inch of pure water, or you can plant directly into it. As an alternative, you can use a small, thick fishbowl. I have a Sundew growing in one of these at work and it is thriving! 2 Plastic water dishes and a twist-tie.

For these cheap terrariums, you will want to place it on a sunny windowsill, but be sure to take the top off if the sun is directly on it. If you are using a fishbowl, you will not need to cover it at all as long there is plenty of water inside. If you do not have a window that gets at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight a day, you may want to set up a small terrarium instead so that you have a good light fixture to give the plants the wonderful colors that you will be looking for.

Steps to Make Your Cheap Terrarium

Get two large clear plastic water trays measuring 8 inches in diameter and 3.5 inches in height.

Poke a small hole into both of them just under the top rim of the container.

Cut four triangles in the top container. Each edge of the triangle is 1 inch.

Use a twist-tie to connect the two containers using the small hole near the rim.

Fill the container with 1 inch of pure water, place your plant (in a plastic pot with holes in the bottom) in the terrarium.

Place the terrarium near a sunny window (inside the house), and flip off the top when it gets direct sun.

If you are using a fishbowl, you simply put the water in the bottom and place the plant in. In either of these terrarium designs, you can plant directly in the pot by putting your soil mixture inside. If you do this, make sure that the soil stays moist to the touch, but you do not want so much water inside that the roots are sitting in deep water.

Cheap Terrarium Photo Gallery

Fishbowl Terrarium

A Drosera adelae planted directly into a fishbowl on a sunny window.
Plant Collection

Four carnivorous plants in a cheap terrarium planted directly into the bowl.
Closed Collection

The four plant collection with the lid on.

Tray Water Method

A Drosera capensis in a cheap terrarium with the lid off.
Closed Cheap Terrarium

The Drosera capensis in the cheap terrarium with the lid on.
Four Plants

A Venus Fly Trap, 2 Sundews, and Butterwort planted in a cheap terrarium.

All information on this site ^©2006 State College Carnivorous Plants. Site designed and maintained by Tom Murosky. Last update January 22, 2007. I allow free use of all written materials on this site. Easy download PDF files availible in the resource link of each plant type. Photographs may contain copyrights from other organizations, you must contact them regarding use of photographs. -- We have had visitors.

Fishbowl Terrarium A Drosera adelae planted directly into a fishbowl on a sunny window.	Plant Collection Four carnivorous plants in a cheap terrarium planted directly into the bowl.	Closed Collection The four plant collection with the lid on.
Tray Water Method A Drosera capensis in a cheap terrarium with the lid off.	Closed Cheap Terrarium The Drosera capensis in the cheap terrarium with the lid on.	Four Plants A Venus Fly Trap, 2 Sundews, and Butterwort planted in a cheap terrarium.