Team Building Workshop
Succulent
Succulent
Terrarium Guide
Build it. Style it. Bring it home.
🌵 🪨 🌿 🐸 ✨
Your Kit
What's on your table
Before you start, look over everything at your station. Here's what you have — and why each piece matters.
Glass Container
Your canvas — where the magic lives
Calcined Clay
Drainage layer — keeps roots from drowning
Succulent Soil
Fast-draining mix made for these plants
Succulent Plant
The living star of your terrarium
Reindeer Moss
Preserved — adds texture and polish
Deco Pebbles
Cover soil, reduce evaporation, look great
Animal Figurine
Your personal finishing touch
The Layers
How the layers stack up
Every layer has a job. Build them in order and your plant will thrive.
Cross-section view — bottom to top
5
Personal style
4
Top layer
3
The star ⭐
2
2" deep
1
1" deep
Let's Build It
Step-by-step build guide
Take your time with each step — the whole build usually takes 20–30 minutes. No rushing allowed.
1
Add your calcined clay drainage layer
Pour your calcined clay into the bottom of the container. Aim for about 1 inch. Tilt gently to level it out. This is your plant's insurance policy — it holds excess water away from the roots so nothing ever sits in standing moisture.
💡 A level clay base = a healthier plant. Don't skip this step.
2
Add your succulent soil
Scoop about 2 inches of soil on top of the clay. Pat it down lightly — stable but not packed tight. Roots need room to breathe and spread.
💡 Think of the soil as a soft, cozy bed for your plant's roots — not a brick.
3
Plant your succulent
Gently remove from its pot and loosen the roots a bit. Create a small well in the soil, nestle the root ball in, and press soil around the base until the plant stands upright on its own.
⚠️ Don't bury the stem too deep — the base should sit right at or just above the soil line.
4
Tuck in the reindeer moss
Pull small tufts of moss apart and place around the base of the plant. You don't need to cover everything — a little soil peeking through looks beautiful.
🌿 Preserved moss won't grow or need watering — it's all about the aesthetic.
5
Scatter your decorative pebbles
Spread pebbles around and between the moss. Cluster some, spread others — create a little landscape. They also reduce evaporation, so they're doing real work.
6
Place your animal figurine
Tuck it into the moss, perch it on a pebble, hide it behind the plant — there's no wrong answer. This is your world. Style it however feels right.
💡 Step back and look from a few angles before you lock in placement.
7
Final check — you're almost done!
Make sure the plant is standing firm, the moss looks tidy, and everything feels balanced. Wipe any soil off the inside glass with a finger. Step back and take it all in.
💡 You built something living and beautiful. Nice work.
Care Guide
Keeping your terrarium happy
Succulents are one of the most forgiving plants you can own. They practically thrive on a little neglect.
Watering
Every 2–3 weeks spring/summer. Once a month fall/winter. Let soil dry completely. Water at the soil line — not the leaves.
Light
Bright indirect light is ideal. East or south-facing windows work great. Avoid harsh afternoon sun through glass.
Temperature
Happy between 60–80°F. Keep away from AC and heating vents. Open terrariums breathe naturally.
Reindeer Moss
It's preserved — no watering needed. Reshape with your fingers whenever you want a refresh.
Quick reference by plant type
| Plant | Light | Water | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echeveria | Bright indirect | Every 2–3 weeks | Slow |
| Haworthia | Low–medium | Every 3–4 weeks | Slow |
| Sedum | Full sun | Every 2–3 weeks | Moderate |
| Aloe | Bright indirect | Every 2–4 weeks | Slow |
| Gasteria | Low–medium | Every 3–4 weeks | Slow |
What You Learned
The bigger picture
Today wasn't just a craft — there's real science and some pretty good life lessons packed into that little glass container.
01
Drainage is everything
Before soil, before plants — always think about where the water goes. The clay layer mimics how arid soil naturally drains in the wild.
02
Less water = longer life
Succulents store water in their leaves. They evolved to handle drought. Overwatering is the most common way to lose one.
03
Soil composition matters
Regular potting soil holds moisture too long. The right soil drains fast — matching soil to plant is a simple but powerful act of care.
04
Layering creates balance
Each layer interacts with the one below — drainage, nutrition, protection. It mirrors how ecosystems and teams work: interdependent parts, each with a role.
05
Plants are resilient
Succulents bounce back from neglect and adapt to different conditions. Living things — including people — are built to recover.
06
Design has function
The moss reduces evaporation. The pebbles protect the topsoil. Beautiful design and practical function can always coexist.
Troubleshooting
When something looks off
| What you're seeing | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mushy, translucent leaves | Overwatering | Let dry completely. Remove mushy leaves. Water less often. |
| Wrinkled, shriveled leaves | Underwatering | Water at the soil line. Leaves firm up in a day or two. |
| Stretching toward light | Not enough light | Move to a brighter spot. Rotate weekly for even growth. |
| Brown, crispy leaf tips | Too much direct sun | Move out of harsh afternoon sun — bright indirect is best. |
| Plant falling over | Roots still settling | Press soil gently around the base. Give it a week to anchor. |
Take it home. Keep it growing.
Your terrarium is a living thing that will change with you over time.
It doesn't need perfection — just a little consistent love.
Water sparingly · Bright indirect light · Let soil dry completely · Enjoy the process
🌐 theplanter.com.co
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