The Best Terrarium Containers: 15 Types and What to Grow in Each

Any container with an airtight or near-airtight seal works well. Large apothecary jars with glass lids are the classic choice — the wide mouth makes planting easy and the seal creates a self-sustaining water cycle. Wide-mouth mason jars and cloches on a sealed base are also excellent options. Avoid containers with porous lids or large gaps that allow moisture to escape.

Yes, almost any clean glass jar can become a terrarium. Pasta sauce jars, pickle jars, jam jars, and large storage jars all work well. The main considerations are size (larger is more forgiving), neck width (wider makes planting easier), and whether you can create a reasonable seal if you’re building a closed ecosystem. Always wash jars thoroughly with hot soapy water and rinse well before use.

No — and most glass terrarium containers don’t have them. Instead, you manage drainage by including a false drainage layer at the base: typically 2–3cm of gravel, coarse sand, or LECA (lightweight expanded clay aggregate). This layer holds excess water away from the root zone. For open terrariums with succulents and cacti, the key is simply to water sparingly and let the substrate dry out between waterings.

Bigger is generally more forgiving for beginners. A larger volume of substrate holds moisture more evenly, maintains more stable humidity, and gives plants more room to establish. A good starting size is 2–5 litres — something like a wide-mouth mason jar or a medium geometric glass terrarium. Very small containers like lightbulb terrariums look great but have very little margin for error.

An open terrarium has a large opening or no lid, allowing moisture to evaporate freely. These suit drought-tolerant plants like succulents, cacti, and air plants that prefer low humidity and good airflow. A closed terrarium has a sealed or near-sealed lid, trapping moisture and creating a self-cycling humid environment. These suit moisture-loving plants like tropical mosses, ferns, and liverworts — and typically need very little watering once established.

Good options include Amazon Australia for geometric glass terrariums, Wardian cases, and hanging globes; Etsy for handmade or artisan styles; and your local pet store for rectangular glass tanks (sold as aquariums or reptile enclosures). Op shops and Kmart are worth checking for cheap glass jars and bowls. Bunnings stocks some basic glass containers in the garden section too.