Turn An Empty Candle Jar Into A Terrarium With This Trendy TikTok Hack
According to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, incorporating even a small amount of greenery in our spaces has been shown to reduce stress levels and lower blood pressure. Some people, however, lack the ability to turn their homes into a lush oasis. Plants take a lot of time, effort, and money to maintain, especially if you decide to branch out into rarer species, and curious pets or rambunctious kids can wreak havoc on delicate leaves and fragile pots. Terrariums, however, offer a lower-maintenance and more protective approach to indoor gardening, and creative TikToker @rinsette shared a more sustainable and lower-cost approach to building one for yourself.
Instead of opting for a kit or buying an expensive glass container specifically designed for this purpose, she upcycled a used candle jar into a self-sustaining terrarium. While building your own tiny world might seem intimidating at first glance, it's actually a fairly simple process and can serve as a fun family activity or weekend project that is good for your mental health.
How to repurpose your candle jars
In her TikTok, @rinsette begins with a simple glass Yankee Candle jar. She cleans out the leftover wax in the jar by pouring in hot water to melt it, then allows the wax to float to the top, where it will eventually harden into an easy-to-remove disk once it cools. From there, she harvests her moss, stating that the best place to find it is alongside rivers, swamps, or streams. If you don't live in an area with access to moss, it can always be ordered online, though exploring to find your own is a great excuse to get outdoors and spend some time in nature.
Once she's found her piece, she brings it back home and begins assembling the terrarium. First, she lays down a layer of rocks for filtration, something you can also source on your own, then fills in the gaps with dirt or potting soil. After this, she gently places the pieces of moss on top and decorates them with some rocks and crystals. Finally, she spritzes in some water and closes up her jar, and it's ready to display.
What to keep in mind when building your own terrarium
Building your own terrarium is pretty easy to do, but there are a few basic ground rules to keep in mind before you begin. First, you need a jar that creates a seal. In her video, the creator uses a Yankee Candle jar, but any brand of candle will do the trick as long as it has a tight-sealing lid. If you don't have one on hand, you can also use a mason jar, wide-mouth bottle, or recycled jam jar. If you do decide to clean out a candle jar, however, it's also important to use caution when you pour in your boiling water. Sudden changes in temperature can cause the glass to crack, so it can be helpful to run your candle under some warm water to heat it a bit before you go to pour.
When it comes time to incorporate your plants, there's also plenty of room for creativity. If you don't have moss in your area, look for other small plants that you'd like to display, or find some terrarium plants online. Moss is the simplest to harvest and grow because it doesn't require any actual planting, but if you find something else, simply harvest from the root and follow the same steps. After a bit of time, the closed environment of the terrarium will begin to create a mini water cycle, allowing you to enjoy a self-sustaining bit of greenery in your space.