My kid asked why the fern in our jar looks sad, and it made me realize I've been watering it like a houseplant for 6 months.

I was using a full cup of water every Friday, but my neighbor, who's kept a sealed terrarium for a decade, told me yesterday that a single spray from a mister is all it ever needs, which explains the constant mold and why the fern was dying.

3 comments

3 Comments

williams.amy1mo ago

Oh man, that is such a common mistake. Totally drowned my first fern the same way. It's wild how little water those closed jars actually need. The water just cycles around in there forever. A tiny spray every few months is honestly plenty, once it's settled. Seeing that mold was my big clue too. The jar should only look a little foggy in the morning, not wet all the time.

jadeg811mo ago

Started my first terrarium a couple years ago and I picked a fern too. Killed it dead in about two weeks with too much water. Felt like such an idiot. Now I just have this sad little jar of dirt sitting on my shelf because I haven't bothered to replant it. Might give it another shot now that I know to barely mist the thing.

coleman.jade1mo ago

But a totally dry jar kills them faster, gotta keep some moisture in there.