Here's a confession: I'm 25, and I do not own a terrarium. I didn't actively choose to live sans terrarium, I just haven't seen one in an appealing context—until now.
Matthew Cleland makes his one-of-a-kind terrariums by hand on Pender Island, off the West Coast of British Columbia, using lead-free solder with glass. In a recent look book, geometric terrariums (dodecahedrons, rhombuses, and icosidodes) hang in sun-filled windows and sit on dresser corners. Each terrarium kit includes rocks, sand, activated charcoal, and—for the spiritually inclined—a quartz crystal; prices start at $110 for a Small Cube Terrarium from Score + Solder.
Above: The Mini Suspended Tetra Terrarium measures 6 inches by 6 inches and hangs from a 44-inch metal chain; $140.
Above: The Quartz No. 1 Terrarium is $320 from Totokaelo.
Above: Shaped like the classic crystal, the Quartz Terrarium is $140.
Above: The Suspended Teardrop Planter sits in the right corner of the window (sans chain); $170 from Score and Solder.
Above: A tiny cactus with a colorful bloom inside the Dodecahedron Terrarium; $170.
Above: Hanging terrariums can be displayed on a chain (L) or without (R).
Above: The larger version of the Suspended Tetra Terrarium measures about 10 by 10 inches; $240 from Score and Solder.
Looking for a miniature Victorian conservatory to turn into a terrarium? See our post Plants Under Glass.
N.B.: This is an update of a post originally published May 13, 2012.