---
title: Mini forest: a tall jar forest terrarium recipe
description: A medium sealed tall jar forest in a globe of 11.1 L, with 4 plants and 2 mosses. a big glass globe with a palm for a tree Every layer, plant and moss, and...
url: https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/mini-forest/
---

Starter jar · medium

# Mini forest
tall jar forest

medium · Sealed · globe

A medium sealed tall jar forest in a globe of 11.1 L, with 4 plants and 2 mosses.

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

## The container

- Glass: globe, 28 cm across, 30 cm tall, 11.1 L

- Note: a big glass globe with a palm for a tree

- Lid: Sealed

## Layers, bottom to top

- [LECA (expanded clay)](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/leca/), 3 cm (1.48 L)
- [Substrate barrier mesh](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/mesh-barrier/)
- [ABG mix](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/abg-mix/), 7 cm (3.46 L)

## Stones and wood

- [Manzanita](https://glassjar.garden/guide/hardscape/manzanita/), about 14 cm
- 2 x [Round boulder](https://glassjar.garden/guide/hardscape/mini-boulder/), about 5 cm

## Plants

- [Parlour palm](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/chamaedorea-elegans/)
- [Asparagus fern](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/asparagus-setaceus/)
- [Creeping fig 'Minima'](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/ficus-pumila-minima/)
- [Dwarf mondo grass 'Nana'](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/ophiopogon-japonicus-nana/)

## Moss

- [Common smoothcap](https://glassjar.garden/guide/moss/atrichum-undulatum/), about 30% cover
- [Common haircap](https://glassjar.garden/guide/moss/polytrichum-commune/), about 20% cover

## Cleanup crew

- 120 [Temperate white springtail](https://glassjar.garden/guide/critters/folsomia-candida/)

## Water and light

- Water at build: 1010 ml, distilled or rain

- Watering: mist only when no morning condensation

- Light: 4,500 lux, 12 h a day

- Light source: east window

## How to make it

- Pour the layers, bottom to top: LECA (expanded clay) (3 cm), Substrate barrier mesh, ABG mix (7 cm).
- Set the hardscape: Manzanita, 2 x Round boulder.
- Plant Parlour palm, Asparagus fern, Creeping fig 'Minima', Dwarf mondo grass 'Nana'.
- Lay the moss: Common smoothcap over about 30% of the ground, Common haircap over about 20% of the ground.
- Add the cleanup crew: 120 Temperate white springtail.
- Water with 1010 ml (distilled or rain).
- Close the lid and give it 4,500 lux, 12 h a day: east window.

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

[Moss bottle](https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/moss-bottle/) · [Cliff face](https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/cliff-face/) · [All starter jars](https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/)