How to Make a Woodland Terrarium (Packed With Ferns + Moss)

When I think of the woodlands, the first thing that comes to mind isn’t the vibrant beauty (though that does shine through) but rather the thick earthy scent and eclectic soundtrack of the buzzing life inside.

It’s the entire sensory experience that makes the environment so enchanting. 

It might be a bold statement, but I think it’s that exact essence that should be encapsulated in a woodland terrarium.

Of course, it’s impossible to build a terrarium that sounds like a forest (though we can get the smell pretty spot-on). But we can still be inspired and take on the challenge of recreating its majesty in miniature. 

So stick with me in this article, and I’ll teach you how to create your own little slice of serenity.

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To create a truly luscious woodland terrarium, you’re going to need plenty of moisture-loving plants, and ultimately they will dictate the kind of terrarium build we’re going for.

An open terrarium would look fantastic for a week before turning into a dry, brown wasteland, which is a little too harrowing for me. 

So for this kind of project, a closed terrarium is the best option. After all, the goal is to create an entire ecosystem (albeit a miniature one), isn’t it?

First things first, you’ll need a closed container. Either one that comes with a lid – you can buy some beautiful purpose-made containers here on Etsy – or you can also use Etsy to source a lid separately (like these custom-cut perspex lids).

For most of my terrarium builds, I use thrifted glass containers that don’t come with lids and solve the problem by buying a cheap perspex lid online.

Now let’s get our hands dirty.

Terrarium Layers – Creating the Base

Before creating our canopy or even the forest floor, we need to start with the bedrock.

We’ll be using lots of water-loving plants in this project, so I’ve decided to use a drainage layer, aka, a false bottom.

This way, any excess water has somewhere to pool, and I feel confident giving my terrarium a good drink without the risk of completely waterlogging the system and damaging the plants’ roots. 

So I begin the base of my terrarium by adding a layer of aquarium sand to my container and smoothing it out with a paintbrush.

Next, I added an activated charcoal layer.

Why you ask? Well, beyond the fact that I was about to move house and wanted to use up my excess material (can you blame me?), my layer of sand was on the thin side, and charcoal both boosts drainage and has some filtration properties. 

👉 Shop Activated Charcoal on Etsy.

Honestly, it’s hard to quantify just how helpful activated charcoal is at filtration, but it certainly won’t hurt. You can check out our article for more information if you like.

If you’re going for a drainage layer – or layers, like me – aim for around 1-1.5 inches of depth in total.

Terrarium Substrate + Hardscape 

Now, the task of creating the earth from which our forest will grow. 

Much like it would be in a natural woodland environment, the substrate needs to drain well, retain moisture, be nutrient-rich, resist compaction and provide plenty of root aeration. 

While it might seem like a big ask, the world of horticulture has solutions.

The mix I’m using on this project is has a moisture-retaining coco coir base, earthworm castings for a natural fertilizer, and it’s supplemented with pumice, tree fern fiber, and orchid bark for drainage and aeration.

For more information on substrate mixes (and how to personalize yours to your project), take a look at our complete guide to terrarium substrates.

Now, it wouldn’t really be an authentic scene without rocks and wood, would it? 

That’s why I recommend at least one hardscape element for every build. Check out our articles on types of terrarium wood and dynamic terrarium rocks to peruse your options.

I always find it easier to place my substrate and hardscape at the same time. This helps to anchor the hardscape element to keep it secure. No squished plants here.

Just make sure your substrate layer is big enough to support your plants’ roots. 

Woodland Terrarium Plants 

For this particular build, my main goal in selecting terrarium plants was to have tonnes of texture and contrast. Lots of my choices can grow quite large over time, but for me, that leans into the woodland wilderness aesthetic. 

I’m using:

• A few Blue Star Fern fronds.
• Asparagus Fern.
• Fluffy Ruffles Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata – a miniature Boston Fern).
• Some lovely variegated Ficus pumila cuttings.
• Mood Moss (Dicranum scoparium).

Check out our miniature fern roundup and terrarium ferns article if you need help deciding what plants to go for. The Terrarium Plant Index might come in handy too.

Planting & Creating the Scene

It’s time to bring it all to life.

Begin by giving the substrate a light spray of water – moist soil is a million times easier to work with, trust me.

Then get to planting. Create a rootball-sized depression with your finger (or a terrarium tool), pop the roots in, and smooth the substrate around to secure it.

I went in with the fluffy Asparagus Fern first, followed by the Blue Star Fern, which I wanted to plant behind the stone to give the illusion of a towering tree. Plus, being my largest plant, it pays to plant it earlier to get that immediate sense of scale.

When I was happy with the placement of all of my ferns, I popped my Ficus cuttings around the terrarium to add some extra character.

Moss & Finishing Details

Before I added my moss, I decided I wanted to create a little ravine with – you guessed it – some little pebbles I had leftover from another build.

I gently placed them across my substrate to mimic a babbling stream, from high to low.

Now for the final touch, moss.

It can be pretty fiddly, but you’ll need to trim away the brown excess before placing it. Break off a clump of moss, and pinch the fluffy green side together as you snip away the brown side. Then, you’re free to place it where you like. 

You can use these tufts to create a full ground cover or dot them around in clumps. Both ways would look fitting in a woodland scene. 

I haven’t done it in this project, but if you want to level up your build, you can attach aquatic moss (like Java Moss) directly onto hardscape for it to grow across as it would in the forest. 

Give it a spray of water and seal that baby up! It’s always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to watering. You can always add more, but it’s hard to remove if you overdo it.

Now you’ve completed your masterpiece, your next challenge is to keep it alive and well. Thankfully, your new closed terrarium ecosystem will generally take care of itself. Phew! 

While sealed systems don’t need constant watering, they might need topping up with a few sprays now and again, so keep an eye out for any typical signs of underwatering.

I always aim to have moist but not soggy substrate. 

Your terrarium will appreciate a nice bright spot in terms of lighting conditions, but keep it out of direct sunlight, so the leaves don’t scorch.

Lastly, if you have any issues with mold (or simply having an amazing plant terrarium isn’t enough), you might want to consider turning your terrarium bioactive and adding in some springtails – tiny little bugs that eat decaying matter.

I hope you’re thrilled with your creation. I thought I was a tropical terrarium lover, but I must admit the woodland theme has stolen my heart.

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