Introduction: Do It Your-self Sustaining Ecosystem-
Do it yourself sustaining ecosystem
In this DIY, I will show you how to create your own self sustaining ecosystem.
First of all you need to find a good bowl, jar. most sizes will work for your terrarium. A container with a large hole will make it easier to work inside of. Make sure that the container can be properly sealed. I read that big containers will be easier to maintain but of course this is not always possible.
Now it’s time to find the
rights plants, you can choose almost everything but make sure that the plants need the same amount of water. Otherwise you can’t keep them in the same jar. So you can choose one with flowers as well! The seller told me that the plat I bought will produce flowers rarely but it is wise to cut them because it will drain a lot of energy from the plant.
Here a list of stuff you need:
- container
- pebbles
- charcoal
- soil
- plants
- water
Step 1: Fill the Bottom With Pebbles
The layer of pebbles at the bottom of the jar will allow water to collect at the bottom, making sure your plants won't drown.
Step 2: Cover the Pebbles With a Layer of Charcoal.
The charcoal layer is important to filter out impurities in the ecosystem. It helps keep the ecosystem clean and healthy. you don't need much, a tablespoon is enough
Step 3: Layer Soil on Top
The last layer is a layer of soil.Make sure your soil has some nutrisions (compost) in it. if you don't have this you can easily make that yourself by grounding eggshells and use old coffee The plants will be able to root in this soil so make sure you add enough soil so the roots have room to grown.
Step 4: Add the Plants
Add small plants. Any plant you like to add will work in your terrarium, but small plants are recommended. Prepare your plants by removing them from the pots and breaking up the hard soil around the roots. pull off long roots before planting. Dig a small hole in the soil with a spoon and place the roots of the plant into the hole.
Step 5: Add Some More Stones
Now this is optional, but I think this will make your terrarium looks great!
Step 6: Place Your Terrarium in Direct Sunlight!
First add some water and then place it somewhere where there is allot of sun. First couple of days keep a good look at your ecosystem! does the plants look weak and pale then open the lid for some time to let some damp out. Do the plants look dry? Then add some water.
I hope you peeps like this self sustaining ecosystem as much as I do. If you have any tips or questions please let me know :D

Participated in the
Flowers Challenge
27 Comments
Question 2 years ago
What about water how much do u put in it?
Question 3 years ago
How much water should be added?
3 years ago on Step 6
Awesome Instruction , 💎💎💎
Question 3 years ago on Step 2
what kind of charchoal
4 years ago
What kind of plants are best suited for the mini ecosystem.
Question 4 years ago
Where can we buy the activated charcoal in SCARBOROUGH
Question 5 years ago
What about watering ?
Question 5 years ago on Step 2
What kind of charcoal? Activated?
Answer 5 years ago
Yes that is right!
5 years ago
7 years and still going strong
Reply 5 years ago
Amazing! Did you buy it as a seed or as a tiny plant?
Reply 5 years ago
they were little plants
Question 5 years ago
It looks nice, but won't the plants need co2 for photosynthesis? Why keep the lid shut?
Answer 5 years ago
Interesting, I knew about the respiration of plants but not that co2 is released into the environment as a result, thanks for clearing this up!
Answer 5 years ago
Plants photosynthesise, consuming CO2, but they also respire, producing CO2.
(British hospitals used to take plants out of wards at night, thinking that the plants would consume oxygen the patients needed.)
Answer 5 years ago
That's right and oxygen contains O2 :D well this I what I read. I am not an expert but what I know is that the plants create everything they need.
Answer 5 years ago
Oxygen and glucose?
Answer 5 years ago
Do you know what plants produce with photosynthesis? :D
Question 5 years ago on Introduction
Won't the plants cook in direct sun light? Seems like it would work like a magnifying glass...
Answer 5 years ago
it's the condensation from barometric pressure changes that makes it all work....