Made the mistake of using regular potting soil in a closed terrarium

I spent about $25 on a nice glass jar from a thrift store and filled it with regular Miracle-Gro potting mix I had left over from my houseplants. Within two weeks, the whole thing was covered in mold and the moss turned yellow and slimy. I tried to clean it out but the smell got so bad I just tossed the entire jar in the trash. Has anyone else ruined a good container using the wrong dirt?

2 comments

2 Comments

spencer19928d ago

I used to think dirt was dirt and it couldn't matter that much (I mean, plants grow in it, right?). But after my own failed terrarium where everything turned into a swampy mold mess, I totally get it now. The fine bark and peat in regular soil just holds way too much moisture and rots instead of draining. Switched to a gritty mix with charcoal and perlite for my next one and it's been night and day - actually stays clean and the moss is happy.

linda_clark28d ago

Oh, I read that regular potting soil has too much organic matter that rots quickly in a closed terrarium.