While the most crucial part of a terrarium are plants and soil + filler layers, most terrarium creators also want to put other beautiful objects in a terrarium to set a specific theme and make it stand out. But what can you put in a terrarium besides plants? In this post, you will find a unique list of items that you can put in a terrarium besides plants.
#1: Ropes and threads
Ropes can be a great addition to a terrarium. There are different ropes you can choose from, for example a classic brown braided jute rope. But depending on what theme you want to set – for example a beachy look, you can choose a blue/brown/white rope. Red and blue ropes can create sea theme (you can add small anchors and colored sand).
For a foresty look – a green rope and so on. You can even think of something completely different – such as a candy theme with gold and red rope like this. It would also be great for Christmas – you can then present it as a gift.
Thickness of a rope will depend on how much space you have in the terrarium. For smaller terrariums, you can choose a 1/8 or 1/4 inch rope. If you want set the main accent on a rope, you can add a 1/2 inch rope or similar. For thin threads, you can pick twines and even strings.
#2: Crystals and minerals
Crystals are truly mesmerizing and adding one large crystal or few smaller crystal pieces can take your terrarium design into a whole new direction. Examples include Citrine (yellow), Selenite (white), Aragonite (red-orange) etc. There are other different color and shape crystals that you can choose, such as this set of medium sized crystals.
#3: Shells
Various types of sea shells are great to decorate a terrarium with. Most people use sea shells to set a beachy or tropical theme to their terrarium.
You can choose from sea fans or urchins, starfish, sea snail, clam and moon shells and many more. Other great shells for terrariums are nautilus, conch, red abalone shell, fig shells, limpet shells, sand dollars and more.
You can pick from neutral tone shells, or go for a more vibrant colored exotic shells. Once again, to make it the main accent of the terrarium, pick one larger shell. To add to the theme, you can pick few smaller pieces and add them to different sides of the terrarium.
#4: Wooden logs or twigs
For a wooden or forest theme in a terrarium, you can add few small pieces of wooden logs or twigs. You can place small log pieces like this on the bottom level of the terrarium, while twigs can stand upwards. So, you can use both decorations in one terrarium. Instead of thin twigs, you can also choose to put one large thick branch piece in the middle of the terrarium.
If you collect any wood, make sure to disinfect it first to get rid of any small bugs and other possible chemical residue. You can do this by baking a branch at 350 F for 30-40 minutes.
#5: Preserved flowers
Preserved flowers can be great to decorate a terrarium with. They add specific accents or even set a whole theme/design, depending on types of flowers. Some great preserved flower options include billy button, poppy seed head, cotton bud stalks, roses and many more.
If you can’t find any preserved flowers, you can also get some fake flowers that can look realistic too and won’t require any care. Another great option for a terrarium decoration would be silk flowers.
#6: Slate pieces
Slate pieces like this can look stunning in a terrarium. You might want to add some slate pieces to set an ancient, mountainous or similar theme. Slate pieces would look great with moss, twigs or branches and generally darker colored sand.
#7: Lichen
Lichen is an organism that comes from an algae or cyanobacteria. It photosynthesizes to provide food (sugar) to fungi, with which they live in a symbiotic relationship with (advantageous to both relationship). Lichen are non-toxic and look great in terrariums, resembling mosses.
#8: Rocks, stones or pebbles
Rocks and pebbles suit different terrarium themes and types. There are different color and size rocks or pebbles, that you can choose depending on your terrarium.
Rocks and pebbles are often put on the bottom level of the terrarium and are great for masking soil and other details. Some great types you can pick from are river rocks, dotted speckled rocks, white pebbles, lava rocks and more.
#9: Moss
Moss is just great for creating closed or open terrariums, and they thrive in wetter and medium light conditions. There are different types of mosses that you can choose for your terrarium. You can pick from live or even dry and preserved moss (not live) – such as dyed reindeer moss.
Some examples of mosses that you can pick from are – clump moss, cushion moss, reindeer moss, sheet moss, hair cap moss and more. Sometimes, you can get a pack of different mosses for terrariums like this.
You can read all about moss for terrarium in this post.
#10: Figurines and toys
Figurines can determine the whole design of the terrarium, especially when you want to tell a story or set a theme in a terrarium or a fairy garden. Sky is the limit with what you can do with figurines.
For example, you can create a racing track with car figurines in a desert or forest. You can create a fairy garden with elves or workers in a moss rain forest.
Small superhero figurines can help create a scene where good fights evil. You can create parties, countryside, North pole and more. With figurines, you can truly be creative and let your imagination play.
You can also add other toys, such as small collectible figurines or squishy toys. Also, you can find tiny few inch plush animals! Apart from figurines and toys, you can use small blocks of Lego, Monopoly and other games.
#11: Sweets
Another thing that you can put in a terrarium besides plants are sweets. You can pick hard boiled candy of different colors, candy canes, or any other types of candy.
#12: Clay figurines
If you cannot find figurines which you would like to add in a terrarium, you can use clay and make your own figurines.
To hold figurines in place, you can put a thin wire inside of them, bury them slightly in soil/sand or use a non-toxic glue. Is using glue, few choices to pick from are clear E6000 or hot gun glue to attach figurines to other objects.
#13: Fossil decorations
Another thing that you can put in a terrarium is a fossil decoration or few like this one. Those can be mini skulls, shells, animal teeth and bone props to create specific themes and to add accents.
#14: Amber
Amber is a natural stone fossil that is formed from tree resin and is believed to have healing properties. There are different types of amber, some are also polished or unpolished (raw).
Also, some pieces can even have trapped insects in them. You can use amber pieces in your terrarium to set various themes or add accents.
#15: Artificial water
If you wish to add an artificial water feature to your terrarium (lake, sea, ocean, bridge over water etc.), you can make it look very beautiful. To do that, you can use resin, candle wax gel or other product.
Place a paper or masking tape to separate the part where you want to add ‘water’, and remove the tape once it dries. On the other side, you can have plants and accessories. Everything will depend on your theme, of course.
You can read a full guide on making fake water for your terrarium in this post.
#16: Gemstones
Gemstones are amazing, and will look great in a terrarium. With gemstones, not only you can choose from a huge variety of shapes and colors, but also set different themes using them. Few examples of gemstones that you can get are opal, amethyst, zircon, topaz and many more.
#17: Salt
You can also create a ‘snow’ effect using plain salt. To do that, you can also put a paper or masking tape to separate the area for ‘snow’ and add it there.
Salt would be great for creating a winter or North Pole (or Antarctica) etc. design. You can even make this terrarium without plants. Add some fake snowballs, polar bear or sled figurines and other pieces.
#18: Glitter
While glitter is not an object, it still makes a big difference when added on different objects. For example, you can add glitter to salt to make it look shiny, just like in winter (as discussed above). You can also add glitter to artificial water, or sprinkle on some other objects that you want to make shiny.
#19: Stick flags or other wooden/metal decorations
Another idea is to add stick flags (for example country flag or football flag decorations) in a terrarium. If you add football flags, you can create a ‘cushion moss football field’, with small football player figurines and so on. You can also use other wooden or metal decorations (stick or other shapes).
#20: Pine cones
Pine cones are great additions to a terrarium. They will greatly suit a terrarium with a forest theme or similar. Choose small preserved pines and add as many as you want.
#21: Feathers
Bird feathers can beautifully compliment a terrarium. You can choose from white goose feathers, light to dark brown pheasant feathers, beautifully colored peacock feathers and many more!
You can even think about attaching feathers to bird figurines and so on. Please try to choose imitation feathers and not real feathers for ethical reasons.
#22: Leather
Leather pieces can also add to the whole terrarium design. You can pick different color pieces of leather, depending on your theme and design. You can find leftover leather pieces from old accessories or get a small set of different leather strips.
#23: Vintage items
If you love vintage items, you can definitely pick some and add them to a terrarium. There are different items you can find that are vintage, including keys, fish hooks, figurines, medals and many more.
Thank you for reading this post on what to put in a terrarium besides plants and decoration ideas! If you would like to learn more about terrarium making and care, please see this resource page.