If you’ve ever wanted to create a beautiful and low-maintenance plant display, this DIY tutorial on how to make your own themed succulent terrarium is the perfect project. Whether you’re decorating your home, looking for a unique gift, or want to add life to a small space, succulent terrariums are an easy and creative way to bring nature indoors. In this post, I’ll show you how to make a themed version using a few simple materials, thrifted treasures, and hardy succulents. This is a fun project for beginners or plant lovers who want a personalised touch in their home décor.

Succulents are ideal for terrariums because they’re hardy, low-maintenance, and come in a wide variety of colours and textures. Best of all, you can use almost any glass container and theme it to match your décor—think coastal, boho, vintage, or even sci-fi!

Before we dive into this tutorial, be sure to subscribe to my bimonthly newsletter to be the first to see my latest projects.  You can also follow me on Pinterest and Facebook, where I also include my unique mixed-media art projects.

How to Make Your Own Themed Succulent Terrarium

**This post may contain affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission on links used at no extra cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.**

Materials You’ll Need

• A clear glass container (open-top works best for succulents)
• Small pebbles or aquarium gravel
• Activated charcoal (found in pet stores or garden centres)
• Cactus or succulent potting mix
• A mix of small succulents
• Themed miniatures or decorations (thrifted toys, shells, figurines, etc.)
• Small brush for cleaning
• Gloves (optional)

Choose Your Container

Pick a clean, clear container. Fishbowls, jars, or vases work well. Open tops allow airflow and prevent moisture build-up, which succulents prefer.

Painting the glass with frosted spray paint

Before using frosted spray paint, make sure the glass surface is completely clean and free from greasy fingerprints—otherwise, the paint won’t stick. If you have a dishwasher, that’s an easy way to ensure a spotless finish.

To create a design on the glass, you’ll need some thick rubber bands in various sizes. Stretch them around the bowl, overlapping them in different directions to form an interesting pattern. Keep adjusting the placement until you’re happy with the overall look.

Once all the rubber bands are in place, take a moment to straighten them out. Make sure each band lies flat against the glass and isn’t twisted—any uneven edges or kinks will affect the final frosted pattern.

I used frosted glass spray paint and placed the bowl face down to avoid getting any paint on the inside. This type of spray paint is available in several colours—not just classic frosted white—so you can get creative with your look.

For best results, apply two light coats instead of one heavy layer. Let the first coat dry fully before applying the second. If the paint goes on too thick, it may drip or run and ruin the clean lines created by the rubber bands.

Once the paint is completely dry, carefully remove the rubber bands to reveal your custom frosted design.

Create a Drainage Base

Add a 2–3 cm layer of small pebbles or gravel. This prevents water from pooling at the bottom and keeps roots healthy.

Add Activated Charcoal

Sprinkle a thin layer of charcoal over the pebbles. It helps absorb excess moisture and keeps your terrarium fresh. Spoon in enough succulent mix to anchor the roots. Gently pat it down to remove air pockets.

Plant Your Succulents

Start with the largest plant and work outwards. Use a spoon or tweezers to nestle the roots into the soil. Leave space between plants so they can grow.

Decorate With Your Theme

Now the fun begins! Add miniatures to create your theme—beachy shells, tiny dinosaurs, fairies, or whatever matches your style. Press them gently into the soil.

Clean and Display

Use a soft brush to remove any loose soil from the succulents and the container. Then place your terrarium where it can be admired!

A close-up view of the inside of my Succulent Terrarium

More DIY ideas you may like.

I built this multi-tiered planter using recycled pallet wood, turning scrap timber into a beautiful and functional garden feature.

I created this unique planter using a recycled Quality Street chocolate tin, gave it a mixed media art makeover, and filled it with faux succulents for a fun, low-maintenance décor piece.

If you’d like to find any of the items used in this project, we’d greatly appreciate it if you used our affiliate links. These links provide us with a small commission at no extra cost to you, allowing us to continue creating and sharing more inspiring projects. We’d also love to hear your thoughts—feel free to leave a comment or share this post!