If you have tried making terrariums and want something different, this article will share 3 unusual terrarium designs. These designs will not be particularly terrariums but will be using plants and similar materials. They are gardening projects that will look as good as terrariums and will bring much joy! Some of them will use water, moss balls and one will be famous Japanese Kokedama and Bonsai. So, let’s start reviewing these projects!
Japanese Kokedama tutorial
If you translate word ‘Kokedama’, the meaning consists of two words – moss and ball. These are two main words as 
the concept of Kokedama is taking a plant, covering its roots in soil or mud and then, in moss. The plants that you choose to use in Kokedama should be decorative, as it is the main purpose of this design. We will discuss plant selection later. Kokedama is also called ‘poor man’s Bonsai’.
The beauty of Kokedama is that they can be presented in different ways:
- They can be fixed to a plate or bark;
- Placed inside a decorative container;
- And even hung on a string – which is called a ‘string garden’.
Of course, you can buy a ready Kokedama, but making one of your own feels more rewarding. We will share step by step instructions on how to make the Kokedama, but first, you will need some supplies. There are ready kits that include everything you need to make a Kokedama. But buying separate supplies will enable you to have enough supplies for any plant that you choose and use them for any other projects.
Supplies:
- Your chosen plant
- “Akadama”, soil base which you will use to wrap plant’s roots in. The plant’s roots will need to be covered in soil. The original soil used in Japan is called “Akadama”, and it is also soil used for bonsai. When choosing Akadama, make sure it consists of small grains, and do not buy soil that has rocks.
- Peat moss, which you will use to mix with Akadama
- Sphagnum moss, to cover the root ball. You can also use preserved sheet moss instead of sphagnum moss. You will also use sheet moss to finish the look and make it look ‘green’.
- Gloves
- Cotton thread, to fix the root ball and scissors
- And, the workstation
And now, instructions to make Kokedama:
- Firstly, you will need to choose your plant. When choosing a plant for Kokedama, go for ones that love moisture (you will be watering the soil very often) and are easy to care for. Good plants to choose are ivy, ferns (but not maidenhair fern), lucky bamboo, begonias, pothos, philodendrons and many more. Try to avoid using
succulents, like cacti, as they often require dry conditions and won’t do too well in humidity. - Before working with your plant, you need to prepare the soil and moss. Firstly, take your sphagnum moss and place in a container with water for soaking. Leave it to soak. If you are using preserved sheet moss, soak in the water as well. Leave moss to soak for 50-60 minutes, then rinse and let it dry slightly.
- Then, you will need to prepare the soil mix. Mix peat moss with Akadama granules, in proportion of 3:2. Depending on your plant size, it will be around 3 cups of peat moss and 2 cups of Akadama. You can also do 1:1 proportions, for example 1 cup of moss and 1 cup of Akadama.
- Then, start removing the soil that is around the roots of the plant. Be gentle and leave as much soil as you think the plant needs. Don’t try to pull the roots or disturb them.
- Take the sphagnum or sheet moss and use it to cover the roots of your actual plant. This will help hold in the moisture. Wrap the roots to cover the whole area. At this point, you can choose to use a thread to hold moss in place or skip this securing step. We will be securing everything later.
- Start adding water to your soil mixture. Do it gradually while forming a soil ball with your hands.
- After the ball is ready, twist it around and halve in two parts. You can halve it horizontally or even vertically.
- Add you plant base between the balls, if you halved it vertically. If halved horizontally, add one half on top, covering the roots, and then use the other part to shape a new ball.
- To finish the look, take the sheet moss and wrap the ball with it. Spray some water to make it damp.
- Secure the ball with cotton thread. You can also use the thread to make a hanging ‘string garden’. To hang it, use a container and thread to hang on the wall, hanger etc. If you are planning to place it on the plate or pot, put some small rock under it to make it stable!
- You can also buy a ready-made Kokedama hanging planter, which you use to put your plant (with a ball soil already made) into.
How to take care of Kokedama?
Water your Kokedama 2 times a week, and after some time, lessen it to once a week. You will be able to tell if the moss is dry by touching it. To water it, place under the sink and let it soak.
If the top moss loses its shape over time, use scissors to trim it a little. It will last for a year or so, before you will need to change the plant.
Don’t place your Kokedama in windy or cold conditions. Place it under the sun for few hours, one time a week. And generally, keep it in the indirect light as it loves sunny and warm environment.
Bonsai and Keshiki bonsai
Learning to grow Bonsai can be challenging and can take many months or even years. You can purchase ready 
Bonsai and develop a hobby of caring for it for years to come. There are different types of Bonsai, including Juniper Bonsai, Golden Gate Ficus Bonsai, Ponytail Palm Bonsai, Chinese Elm Bonsai, Money Tree Bonsai, Umbrella Bonsai and many more. Bonsai are also a big part of Japanese culture and are thought to bring luck and positivity. Caring for Bonsai includes regular watering, pruning, fertilizing, and maintaining its dwarf-tree shape.
If caring for Bonsai is too much, and you don’t have time or dedication to do it, there are other options. Keshiki is the new way to create miniature or mini Bonsai creations faster. The technique has been developed by Kenji Kobayashi and offers an easier approach to grow Bonsai trees.
How to create Keshiki Bonsai?
To create Keshiki bonsai you will need to get a ceramic dish that has drainage holes in it. Then, you need to add 
drainage mesh screen to the bottom. This will prevent any soil and gravel from falling out.
The next step is to add the soil and press it down. Use Akadama soil and mix it with some white sand and gravel, for good drainage. Then, press the soil down and prepare your mini bonsai seedling. You can use maple tree or other small tree seedling of your choice.
When you have inserted your tree inside the soil, cover it with some sphagnum moss (optional). Sphagnum moss will help to hold the soil in place and prevent it from drying out, as it holds moisture.
The next step would be to cover the soil with moss. After that, you can decorate the sides with sand, gravel and rocks. Use your imagination and create and designs that you like!
DIY indoor floating garden in a jar, or water terrarium
Floating gardens in a jar look amazing. This is a truly unique project and is not too hard to make yourself. The 
floating garden will help you relax, think of raw nature, where you see plants in their natural environment. There are ready made zero maintenance water terrariums with various flowers, which usually have gel medium instead of water. These can be given as gifts or left at home to grow, and they require no maintenance at all. But let’s review how to make our own floating garden.
Indoor floating terrarium supplies:
- Firstly, you will need to choose a plant that you will use for water terrarium. Pick one that naturally lives in water, for example water hyacinth, water lettuce, dwarf water lotus, dwarf horsetail and supplementary water spangles.
- Then, you will need to find a jar that you like. You can pick long ones, round ones etc. I would advise to go for a
clear wide glass jar. - As your floating garden will be fully immersed in water, you must keep it clean for as long as possible. Activated charcoal will help to keep water fresh and free from impurities.
- Stones for decoration – not too many though. Few large stones will be enough, as you want to concentrate on water and the plant.
- You can also get some Japanese (beautiful treasure, again!) Marimo moss balls. They are fluffy moss balls that look pretty and have a lot of benefits. Some of them include absorbing pollution, creating oxygen and requiring little care. Amazing!
And now, indoor floating terrarium instructions:
- Take the jar and fill it with water. Using tap water is fine, but make sure to use charcoal. The best type of water to use is rainwater mixed with distilled water. Rainwater mimics the natural environment and distilled water is cleaner that tap water.
- Throw in charcoal and any stones that you have.
- Add you moss balls, as they will go down after they soak in the water.
- After that, have your plant(s) ready, and place them on water. Some plants float immediately, but don’t worry to experiment and try to push it to the sides.
- That’s it! Your creation is ready. This floating terrarium will not need any maintenance, but make sure to put under the sun. Both moss balls and most plants (including water lettuce) grow and flourish under the sunrays. Also, you will need to change the water from time to time.