Mount Moss · Care guide
care
Everything you need to keep your terrarium healthy — light, water, and simple maintenance tips.
How to care for your terrarium
Closed terrariums are self-sustaining miniature ecosystems. A little attention goes a long way.
Light & temperature
Place your terrarium indoors with plenty of indirect light — never direct sunlight. Tropical plants and moss grow under tree canopy in nature.
- Artificial light: white bulb (5000–6700K) for ~8 hours daily
- Keep away from radiators and AC units
- Ideal temperature: 15–27°C
Maintenance
Remove dead leaves promptly to prevent mold from spreading. Trim overgrown plants carefully when needed.
We also offer a free maintenance service — we’re happy to handle trimming for you.
Watering
Your terrarium creates its own water cycle and rarely needs frequent watering. Always check first:
- Check the soil colour: if the soil looks lighter in colour, it usually needs a light spray; if it looks darker and moist, it is fine.
- Green, moist moss means no water is needed.
- Condensation on the glass changes throughout the day — this is normal.
- If it looks dry, mist lightly with a spray bottle.
- Use rain or distilled water only, as tap water contains chlorine that can be harmful to the plants over time.
Watering in detail
Water until the substrate and moss are moist again — but not soaking wet. Leave the lid open for less than an hour, then close it.
Provide proper ventilation by opening the lid once a week for 30 minutes. In summer, you may need to do this more often. After closing, check that moisture is balanced and the terrarium hasn’t dried out.
DIY terrarium owners
Two-week incubation period
If you’ve made your own terrarium, give it a two-week incubation period. Plants need time to adjust to their new environment.
Every couple of days, remove the lid for a few hours and put it back on. Repeat for two weeks until the ecosystem stabilises.
Common problems
Most issues are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
Moss colour
Dark brown moss usually means overwatering. Open the lid for up to an hour to let excess moisture evaporate.
Brown patches can also mean tap water (chlorine/chloramine) — switch to distilled or rain water. Heat buildup and poor ventilation in summer can also cause discolouration.
Sometimes moss turns yellow or brown naturally, following its own cycle — just like in the wild.
Leaf loss
Many leaves falling or melting may signal too much heat. Open the lid for an hour to cool the air inside.
Yellowish leaves can indicate over- or underwatering. Check moisture levels and adjust accordingly.
Fungus gnats
These tiny flies thrive in humid, damp substrate. Leave the cork off and let the substrate dry slightly. Yellow fly catchers also work well.
Mycelium growth
Small white-yellowish spores on substrate or moss are often the start of a mushroom. They’re harmless and actually signal a healthy, thriving ecosystem.
Remove with a wet cotton bud if you prefer to keep things tidy.
Mold
Mold thrives in damp, dark conditions. Move your terrarium to a brighter spot, open the lid for a few hours for fresh air, and ensure there isn’t too much water inside.
Need help with your terrarium?
We’re here for maintenance, advice, or your next miniature landscape.