Terrariums offer green respite to space-starved Mumbaikars
Count to ten the next time you're tempted to throw away used empty jam and pickle jars, cake stands or glass decanters. Why? You might just be destroying the very thing that can add some greenery to your life. That’s right. Terrariums, or tiny plant ecosystems set in glass jars or bulbs, are bringing nature into people’s lives in the concrete jungle of Mumbai. What’s more, these budget-friendly glass gardens also do not need you to spend too much time on them. With studies increasingly pointing out how our homes and offices are hotbeds of pollutants, mold and other particulate matter, can these little gardens brighten up and make your space a notch healthier? Yes, say Mumbaikars who have set them up.
HELPS CREATE GREENERY, EVEN IN A SMALL AREA
For city dwellers who are starved of nature and have to make do with smaller living spaces, terrariums seems to offer the perfect solution. These little gardens can fit in anywhere — on your work desk, in bulbs in your front room or in a glass decanter by the kitchen cabinet. Bandra-based ad filmmaker, Leah Umrigar, who started a terrarium company, reveals that it takes just one bowl to create a miniature garden. “All you need is a place that receives natural light. These terrariums fit into small nooks and crannies. Someone once asked me if they could fit a terrarium into a bathroom shelf, on smaller kitchen tops or even on a narrow window sill.” The pretty terrariums can be done in different shapes, which allow them to fit in anywhere. She adds, “Round fish bowls, flat dishes, wine glasses, bottles, old pickle jars, bigger mason jars or even small perfume bottles — anything can be converted into a terrarium.”
THEY’RE LOW-COST AND LOW-MAINTENANCE
Got a busy schedule? No worry, you don’t have to undertake any effort to maintain your terrarium. Adds Leah, “These terrariums are zero-fuss, as there is no water and mud spillage with it. Unlike house plants, they don’t have an open drainage either, so there is no danger of mosquitoes.”
Mumbai’s climate is another advantage towards them. Says Zahabiya, who also creates the tiny greenery, “Terrariums work in a place like our city as they need a high level of humidity.
Remember, closed terrariums need to be watered just once a month and ferns, petunias and watermelon plants grow well in closed jars. You can also do cacti in a glass, but it needs to be kept open. The only trick here is to do the layering in the right fashion, and water the plant as needed (for an open terrarium you need to water it just once a week).”
‘WATER-ILLUSION’ TERRARIUMS THAT BUST STRESS
Smriti Sobti, a finance executive from Chembur, has been making tray gardens for a year now. She says, “Terrariums are made of glass and have no drainage, while a tray garden is in ceramic pot with holes. We cannot own a garden, but in this form we can have claim to have one — it’s like creating an urban jungle for yourself.” She started making these trays after watching her grandfather and her hobby is a a full-time profession, now. “I was also the first to make zen gardens that look like they have water, but are actually eco-friendly gel. These are ‘water-illusion gardens’ and clients love it. One even told me it looked magical.’ They are so de-stressing,” she smiles that look like they have water, but actually it has ecofriendly gel. These are ‘water-illusion gardens’ and clients love it. One even told me it looked magical.’ They are so de-stressing,” she smiles.
WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN SETTING UP ONE
› Decide whether you are going to have a closed terrarium or an open one.
› If you have lesser light, opt for a money plant or spider plant or syngoniums, that don’t need bright sunlight.
› Watering depends on the types of plants selected. Trim any branches that grow up and out of your container.
STEPS TO ASSEMBLE YOUR TERRARIUM
› Start by layering an inch of rocks and pebbles at the base of the container, to help filtration.
› Spread a quarter-inch of activated carbon or charcoal over the gravel so that it absorbs odours.
› Add soil over the rocks, which helps hold everything together.
› Take your plants, trim and place them inside. Add some water, close the lid and let it remain.
› Remember, terrariums without lids need more water as the water evaporates in open ones.
› Open a sealed terrarium once a week in order to air it out.
Count to ten the next time you're tempted to throw away used empty jam and pickle jars, cake stands or glass decanters. Why? You might just be destroying the very thing that can add some greenery to your life. That’s right. Terrariums, or tiny plant ecosystems set in glass jars or bulbs, are bringing nature into people’s lives in the concrete jungle of Mumbai. What’s more, these budget-friendly glass gardens also do not need you to spend too much time on them. With studies increasingly pointing out how our homes and offices are hotbeds of pollutants, mold and other particulate matter, can these little gardens brighten up and make your space a notch healthier? Yes, say Mumbaikars who have set them up.
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| terrariums |
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| Choose your own fillers for it |
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| You can place these little ecosystems by the windows |
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| Light bulb ones, too |
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| ‘Water-illusion’ ones that have a gel |
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| They add greenery to the home |
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| Cacti in a glass |
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| You can add figurines to it |
HELPS CREATE GREENERY, EVEN IN A SMALL AREA
For city dwellers who are starved of nature and have to make do with smaller living spaces, terrariums seems to offer the perfect solution. These little gardens can fit in anywhere — on your work desk, in bulbs in your front room or in a glass decanter by the kitchen cabinet. Bandra-based ad filmmaker, Leah Umrigar, who started a terrarium company, reveals that it takes just one bowl to create a miniature garden. “All you need is a place that receives natural light. These terrariums fit into small nooks and crannies. Someone once asked me if they could fit a terrarium into a bathroom shelf, on smaller kitchen tops or even on a narrow window sill.” The pretty terrariums can be done in different shapes, which allow them to fit in anywhere. She adds, “Round fish bowls, flat dishes, wine glasses, bottles, old pickle jars, bigger mason jars or even small perfume bottles — anything can be converted into a terrarium.”
THEY’RE LOW-COST AND LOW-MAINTENANCE
Got a busy schedule? No worry, you don’t have to undertake any effort to maintain your terrarium. Adds Leah, “These terrariums are zero-fuss, as there is no water and mud spillage with it. Unlike house plants, they don’t have an open drainage either, so there is no danger of mosquitoes.”
Mumbai’s climate is another advantage towards them. Says Zahabiya, who also creates the tiny greenery, “Terrariums work in a place like our city as they need a high level of humidity.
Remember, closed terrariums need to be watered just once a month and ferns, petunias and watermelon plants grow well in closed jars. You can also do cacti in a glass, but it needs to be kept open. The only trick here is to do the layering in the right fashion, and water the plant as needed (for an open terrarium you need to water it just once a week).”
‘WATER-ILLUSION’ TERRARIUMS THAT BUST STRESS
Smriti Sobti, a finance executive from Chembur, has been making tray gardens for a year now. She says, “Terrariums are made of glass and have no drainage, while a tray garden is in ceramic pot with holes. We cannot own a garden, but in this form we can have claim to have one — it’s like creating an urban jungle for yourself.” She started making these trays after watching her grandfather and her hobby is a a full-time profession, now. “I was also the first to make zen gardens that look like they have water, but are actually eco-friendly gel. These are ‘water-illusion gardens’ and clients love it. One even told me it looked magical.’ They are so de-stressing,” she smiles that look like they have water, but actually it has ecofriendly gel. These are ‘water-illusion gardens’ and clients love it. One even told me it looked magical.’ They are so de-stressing,” she smiles.
WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN SETTING UP ONE
› Decide whether you are going to have a closed terrarium or an open one.
› If you have lesser light, opt for a money plant or spider plant or syngoniums, that don’t need bright sunlight.
› Watering depends on the types of plants selected. Trim any branches that grow up and out of your container.
STEPS TO ASSEMBLE YOUR TERRARIUM
› Start by layering an inch of rocks and pebbles at the base of the container, to help filtration.
› Spread a quarter-inch of activated carbon or charcoal over the gravel so that it absorbs odours.
› Add soil over the rocks, which helps hold everything together.
› Take your plants, trim and place them inside. Add some water, close the lid and let it remain.
› Remember, terrariums without lids need more water as the water evaporates in open ones.
› Open a sealed terrarium once a week in order to air it out.
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