---
title: Desert bowl: a desert / open terrarium recipe
description: An easy open desert / open in a fishbowl of 7.4 L, with 5 plants and 2 mosses. an open fishbowl; never closed Every layer, plant and moss, and the jar to...
url: https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/desert-bowl/
---

Starter jar · easy

# Desert bowl
desert / open

easy · Open · fishbowl

An easy open desert / open in a fishbowl of 7.4 L, with 5 plants and 2 mosses.

[Open this jar in the simulator](https://glassjar.garden/?starter=desert_bowl)

## The container

- Glass: fishbowl, 28 cm across, 20 cm tall, 7.4 L

- Note: an open fishbowl; never closed

- Lid: Open

## Layers, bottom to top

- [Lava rock (scoria)](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/lava-rock/), 2.5 cm (1.23 L)
- A mix of 40% [Horticultural sand](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/horticultural-sand/), 40% [Pumice](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/pumice/), 20% [Coco coir](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/coco-coir/), 5 cm (2.45 L)
- [Pea gravel](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/pea-gravel/), 1 cm (0.49 L)

## Stones and wood

- [Mopani wood](https://glassjar.garden/guide/hardscape/mopani/), about 12 cm
- 2 x [Granite](https://glassjar.garden/guide/hardscape/granite/), about 5 cm

## Plants

- 2 x [Echeveria](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/echeveria/)
- [Haworthia](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/haworthia/)
- [Jade plant](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/crassula-ovata/)
- [Burro's tail](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/sedum-morganianum/)
- [Air plant](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/tillandsia-ionantha/)

## Moss

- [Fire moss](https://glassjar.garden/guide/moss/ceratodon-purpureus/), about 8% cover
- [Silver moss](https://glassjar.garden/guide/moss/bryum-argenteum/), about 6% cover

## Water and light

- Water at build: 390 ml, any

- Watering: soak around roots every 4 to 7 days only when fully dry

- Light: 30,000 lux, 6 h a day

- Light source: south or east window with direct sun, or strong grow light

## How to make it

- Pour the layers, bottom to top: Lava rock (scoria) (2.5 cm), a mix of 40% horticultural sand, 40% pumice, 20% coco coir (5 cm), Pea gravel (1 cm).
- Set the hardscape: Mopani wood, 2 x Granite.
- Plant 2 x Echeveria, Haworthia, Jade plant, Burro's tail, Air plant.
- Lay the moss: Fire moss over about 8% of the ground, Silver moss over about 6% of the ground.
- Water with 390 ml (any).
- Leave it open and give it 30,000 lux, 6 h a day: south or east window with direct sun, or strong grow light.

## Based on

- [terrariumtribe.com/succulent-terrarium](https://terrariumtribe.com/succulent-terrarium/)
- [terrariumtribe.com/open-terrarium](https://terrariumtribe.com/open-terrarium/)

[Open this jar in the simulator](https://glassjar.garden/?starter=desert_bowl)

[Carnivore bog](https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/carnivore-bog/) · [Cloche garden](https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/cloche-garden/) · [All starter jars](https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/)