Give Houseplants A Pop Of Color With This Creative Aquarium Gravel Project

Terrariums are an excellent way to effortlessly incorporate houseplants into your home's interior design with elegance and style. However, some plant lovers might not be too keen on keeping dirt or soil on full display inside the house. Luckily, there's a stylish and affordable solution that adds texture and a pop of color to your terrarium, so you can get the best of both worlds. Imagine succulents that bloom with bright yellow flowers surrounded by an equally vibrant bed of gravel. In addition to traditional glass terrariums, you can also try this DIY in wooden planter boxes with succulents or houseplants.

Aquarium gravel can make for a colorful and practical addition to your terrarium. For starters, it's an inexpensive material that's widely available, and a single bag is enough to cover several plants or succulents. Terrarium plants can also benefit from the excellent drainage aquarium gravel provides. Another perk to this aquarium gravel DIY is that it's easy to change or refresh over time, and you can use different colors for seasonal decor or organizational purposes. Gravel is less messy than soil. If you decide you want to switch up the plants in your terrarium, the solution is as simple as repotting your existing ones. Here is how you can DIY your own whimsical succulent planter with cheap, unfussy, and colorful aquarium gravel.

If you already have a thriving terrarium in your home, then this DIY is incredibly straightforward. All you'll need is a bag of aquarium gravel in your color of choice. However, if you're starting from scratch, you'll also need a large glass container or wooden planter box, well-draining soil, and suitable plants. First, place a layer of plain stones on the bottom of the container. Stone is one of the best drainage materials to relieve your plants of excess moisture. Next, add a layer of soil on top and plant your various plants. Finally, gently scoop a shallow layer of colorful aquarium gravel on top of the soil. Remove any leaves or plant foliage that you may have buried in the process.

The size and color of the aquarium gravel you choose for this DIY is a matter of personal taste. Just be sure to soak the gravel in fresh water beforehand so it's well rinsed. Including aquarium gravel in your indoor garden comes with the added benefit of enhanced drainage and aeration. It can even retain nutrients and aid in their availability. When selecting plants, make sure you pick ones that will do well in a terrarium. Compact or dwarf plants that thrive in shallow soil are ideal for this DIY. Try moss and ferns for a closed terrarium with low moisture and high humidity, and succulents for a dry open terrarium. Overall, adding aquarium gravel to your terrarium is a quick project that can easily be knocked out in an afternoon, and it is a creative way to add style and intrigue to your home.