Don't Toss An Empty Glass Candle If You Love Low-Maintenance Plants - Here's Why

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Do you love plants, but often forget to care for them? There's no shame, we've all killed a fern or two, but that doesn't mean you have to go completely plantless. Using the glass left behind from a candle, such as from the Village Candle Wild Maine Glass Apothecary Jar, you can create a self-contained terrarium that thrives without needing watering or much care. 

To get any remaining wax out of the jar, either freeze it and pop it out, or melt it and carefully dispose of it in the trash — now you're ready to go! The first layer you'll put in the jar will be small stones for drainage. As a general guideline, the taller your jar is, the deeper your layer of stones will need to be. The next layer helps with the drainage as well as odor control: Place a few pieces of activated charcoal, or use live sheet moss instead, as both perform the same function. Potting soil makes up the next layer. It's important to use sterile potting soil without additional fertilizer added, as it encourages fast plant growth that you don't want. Your potting soil should be deep enough for plants to establish roots, but leave enough open space for plants to grow.

Take clippings of the types of terrarium plants anyone can take care of and place them into the soil, or use small plants with established roots. If your jar is too small for your hands, you can use long tweezers, tongs, or even chopsticks. Once you've planted them, pat down the soil. Add decorative details like shells, stones, or fairy figurines. Wipe any dirt off the inside of the jar, then spray the plants damp, water the soil, and close the lid. 

While your terrarium won't need daily care, finding the right position for it will help the ecosystem in the jar function well. Find a spot that gets filtered, bright light that isn't direct sunlight. Keep an eye on it for a few days to check if the balance inside is right. If you see condensation forming on the inside of the jar, it is a sign of overwatering. Simply remove the top until the condensation evaporates and dries, then close the lid, and it should settle.

Open the jar up once a month to allow fresh air to flow in. Check the plants inside and clip off any yellowed leaves or damaged plant sections. This task is much easier with a narrow, long-bladed clipper, such as the Sunuly Extra Long Pruning Sheers. Plants shouldn't touch the sides of the jar. If they've grown too big, prune them. Check if the soil is damp by inserting a bamboo skewer. If it comes up clean, water the soil sparingly. Then your jar is ready to be closed up again and is good to go for another month.

If you find that the jar terrarium isn't quite your style, you can investigate the different types of terrariums and decide which is right for you. These terrariums are so adorable and low-maintenance that they make creative housewarming gift ideas that any person will love. Personalize it by adding figurines they love, such as fairies or even Star Wars characters.