Bioactive Terrarium Jars
Discover the tiny ecosystems we build inside our handmade terrarium jars—planted with lush, low-light greenery and designed to support microfauna like spiders, snails, and beetles. These self-contained habitats are available exclusively at local reptile expos and make perfect starter vivariums for small invertebrates.
What is a Terrarium Jar?
Each of our terrarium jars is a carefully constructed miniature ecosystem. Inside, you’ll find a layered bioactive setup that mimics nature's self-sustaining cycles: a drainage layer at the bottom, a soil mix rich in organic material, lush tropical plants like nerve plants, pothos, club moss, and pileas, and natural hardscape elements like cork bark and leaf litter.
The jars are sealed with lids, creating a high-humidity, self-watering environment that requires very little human intervention. The moisture from the plants and soil naturally evaporates, condenses on the glass, and rains back down—recycling water within the jar itself.
How the Self-Watering Cycle Works
The key to the jar’s function is the closed-loop water cycle. Once sealed, water inside the jar begins to evaporate due to heat or light. It condenses on the glass and then trickles back into the soil, keeping the substrate evenly moist. This allows the plants to thrive without the need for regular watering.
As long as the jar is sealed, the ecosystem maintains its own balance of moisture and humidity. That said, every home is different—if your jar looks dry over time or there’s no condensation, you can add a tablespoon of water around the edges of the soil (never directly on the plants).
Simple Maintenance Tips
While these jars are low-maintenance, they’re not completely set-it-and-forget-it. Here are a few easy ways to keep your terrarium looking its best:
Trim Overgrowth: If the plants begin to crowd the space or press against the glass, feel free to trim them back. Use clean scissors and snip just above a leaf node to encourage bushier growth.
Add Water (If Needed): If condensation disappears completely or the soil feels dry to the touch, add a small amount of water using a spoon or pipette. Avoid overwatering.
Open as Desired: While the jars are designed to be closed most of the time, you can open them to feed any animal residents or let in fresh air occasionally.
Why We Add Springtails
Each jar comes seeded with springtails—tiny white detritivores that act as a natural cleanup crew. These helpful microfauna live in the soil and leaf litter, breaking down mold, decaying plant matter, and animal waste.
Springtails are harmless to plants, animals, and humans. In fact, they help prevent mold buildup and keep the environment balanced. If you ever notice a few hopping around on the soil surface, that’s a good sign! It means your micro-ecosystem is alive and well.
Find Us at Local Reptile Expos
We hand-make each terrarium jar with care and sell them in person at reptile expos throughout the region. Whether you’re a beginner hobbyist or a seasoned keeper looking to expand your microfauna collection, these jars are a beautiful, low-maintenance option to take home a piece of nature.
To make things simple for reptile expo shoppers, each terrarium jar we sell is labeled with a color-coded sticker. This sticker tells you which types of animals are best suited for that specific jar size and setup.
We provide a printed care guide at our table (and available digitally) that matches each color to a curated list of commonly available invertebrates at expos—like micro spiders, beetles, roaches, snails, and other humidity-loving species. That way, you can confidently pick a jar and know exactly what small critters you can safely keep inside.
Whether you’re just browsing or already have a species in mind, the color system helps you shop with ease and avoid guesswork. Just match the sticker to the guide and explore your options!
