I love indoor terrarium projects and was excited when my post for Lowe’s Creative Ideas Team was indoor planters. I just knew I’d find something cool and interesting at Lowe’s to transform into an indoor terrarium. I found my prize in the clearance lights section with this cool looking outdoor lantern – the kind designed to go on a wall. Pretty black frame with panes of glass…I had the perfect spot for this right next to my computer desk.
For this project you need:
- A lantern or lamp with glass panes ($35)
- A variety of terrarium plants (approx $20)
- Peat moss and soil mixture (Used existing garden supplies. $10 for a new bag from Lowe’s)
- Decorative rocks or glass marbles ($2)
First we (and by we I mean my husband) took the electrical pieces out of the light leaving the lantern frame and glass intact. This took him about 15 minutes. Then we picked up some terrarium plants from eBay because none of the stores in our town had any plants right now. I ended up with a huge selection of plants to choose from to include in my wall-hanging terrarium.
Put 2-3 inches of soil in the bottom of the lantern. Mine has screw holes in the bottom which I covered with my decorative river rocks to keep the soil from falling out.
Place the plants in the soil as desired. Remember that the lantern will be up against the wall so this terrarium has a front and back. I chose to plant the taller plants in the back, the shorter plants in the front, and fill in the extra gaps with creeping plants. This provided a beautiful variety of foliage shapes, sizes, and colors for pleasing contrast.
Hanging Terrarium From Repurposed Lantern
I love how this turned out. The top of the lantern is designed to screw in place but I left it unsecured so it’s easy to pick it up and mist my plants with water every day or every other day as needed.
The terrarium looks amazing next to my work desk mixed in with my family photos. There is a window beside it and just on the other side of my desk for plenty of indirect light and the living room has the most consistent temperature in the house.
Close up photos of the Foliage in the Lantern Terrarium
This is the time of year when I desperate crave green growing things so this project was perfect. Less than $50 total and I have a beautiful wall-hanging that is unique, matches my living room decor (the black iron accents are throughout many pieces in my living room) and provides that peaceful feeling that indoor plants provide.
A centerpiece terrarium on the tabletop might be vulnerable to toddlers, cats, or other minions present in my family. With this arrangement it’s still at eye-level and easily viewed, but up on the wall and safe from accidental knocks.
This post was written as part of Lowe’s Creative Ideas team and I am provided with gift cards to purchase materials needed to create these unique ideas for you each month. To see more fabulous ideas check out all the Lowe’s Creative Ideas bloggers and subscribe to the Creative Ideas Magazine which is free and awesome. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Pinterest.
