I’ve always loved the idea of giving unique, thoughtful gifts, and one year, I decided to gift a terrarium to a friend who had just moved into a new apartment. It seemed perfect—small, beautiful, and a piece of nature they could keep indoors. But as I was putting it together, I started wondering: Is a terrarium really a good gift, or am I just handing over a project that requires ongoing care and attention?
When I first started thinking about giving a terrarium, I was drawn to how visually stunning they are. You’ve got this little world inside a glass jar, full of lush greenery and maybe a few decorative stones or figurines. It’s the kind of gift that instantly brightens up a room and can fit pretty much anywhere. Plus, I thought it was a step up from just giving a houseplant—more creative, more personal.
As I was assembling the terrarium, carefully choosing the plants and arranging them just right, it hit me: this thing isn’t entirely self-sufficient. Sure, some terrariums are lower maintenance than others, but they all need some level of care. I started thinking about my friend. She’s busy, not exactly a plant enthusiast, and I wasn’t sure if she’d have the time or interest to keep up with the care a terrarium would require.
Terrariums might look like they can just sit on a shelf and take care of themselves, but they do need attention. Closed terrariums can get moldy if the humidity isn’t right, and open ones need regular watering and pruning. I started wondering if I was about to gift something that would feel more like a chore than a joy.
This made me really think about who I was giving the terrarium to. My friend appreciates nature, but she’s not the type to spend time tending to plants. That’s when I realized that a terrarium, while beautiful, might not be the best fit for everyone. If you’re giving one to someone who loves gardening or has a collection of houseplants, they might love it. But for someone who’s not into plant care, it could easily end up neglected or worse—something they feel guilty about not taking care of.
I was still attached to the idea of giving something green, so I started looking into other options. Succulents came to mind—hardy, low-maintenance, and still beautiful. Or maybe an air plant, which doesn’t need soil and can survive with just a little water now and then. Both seemed like safer choices for someone who might not want to add “terrarium caretaker” to their list of responsibilities.
In the end, I decided to go with a small succulent arrangement instead of the terrarium. It still had that personal, natural feel I wanted to give, but without the potential burden of maintenance. My friend loved it, and I felt good knowing I’d given her something she could enjoy without any stress.
Looking back, I’m glad I thought through what giving a terrarium really means. They’re amazing gifts for the right person—someone who enjoys a bit of plant care and would appreciate the charm of a tiny indoor garden. But for others, it might be more thoughtful to choose something simpler. So, if you’re considering giving a terrarium, take a moment to think about the recipient’s lifestyle and how much they’d actually enjoy managing it. A gift should bring joy, not stress, after all!