How to Care for the Zen Garden Terrarium – Plantpico

🏯 Overview

The Zen Garden Terrarium recreates a Japanese-inspired landscape inside a tall glass vessel.
Typical plantings include:

These species all thrive in humid, bright-indirect environments and can coexist with minimal intervention once established.

Baseline schedule: Water once per week.
Check moisture first: Press the top layer of moss or soil. If it feels dry or looks pale, mist or drip water until evenly moist.
In warm or low-humidity rooms, you may need to water twice a week.
Use filtered or dechlorinated water; avoid hard tap water which can leave mineral spots and stress moss.
Moss should stay slightly damp but never waterlogged—standing water leads to root rot and mold.

Provide bright, indirect light—a north or east window is ideal.
If using the included LED lamp, run it for about 8 hours per day.
🚫 Do not expose to harsh direct sun or keep the lamp on 24/7; plants need a nightly dark period to respire.

Best range: 18–25 °C (65–77 °F) with moderate household humidity (50–70 %).
Avoid cold drafts, heating vents, or air conditioners.
If indoor humidity regularly drops below 40 %, a light daily mist can help maintain a stable micro-climate.

Glass care: Wipe the inside of the glass gently with a soft microfiber cloth to remove any condensation or algae film.
Plant grooming: Trim Fittonia or moss if they begin to overgrow paths or decorative features.
Remove yellowed or fallen leaves to prevent fungal growth.

Moss turning brown: Often from too much direct sun or drying out—relocate to softer light and mist more consistently.
Fittonia wilting: Classic sign of underwatering; water lightly and it usually perks up within hours.
White fuzzy patches: Usually harmless mold from excess moisture; reduce watering and improve airflow, wipe gently if visible.
Condensation dripping down glass: Reduce watering slightly and ensure room air circulation.

Fertilizer is rarely needed; if growth slows, a half-strength balanced liquid fertilizer once every 6–8 weeks during spring/summer is sufficient.
The dwarf shrub can be lightly pruned to maintain its miniature “bonsai” shape.

For universal guidance on lighting, cleaning, and problem prevention, see
Terrarium Care & Maintenance: The Essentials .
For replacement plants or hardscape questions, email support@plantpico.com.