Fun DIY Terrarium Designs in San Francisco

Fun DIY Terrarium Designs in San Francisco


By Kellie Maloney

Build a miniature garden at a terrarium class in San Francisco and discover for yourself just how versatile they can be! Open or closed, succulents or cacti, there are so many ways you can customize a DIY terrarium to suit your own personal style. 

But first, what actually is a terrarium? In Latin, the word terrarium roughly translates to ‘land within a container’. Think of it as an aquarium but with plants instead of fish! Aside from being excellent space savers that are easy to care for, terrariums also make beautiful decorations for your home and are a wonderful way to bring a piece of nature inside. 

To build a terrarium, you fill a glass container with soil, plants, and pebbles, creating layers that will support your plants as they grow. You can choose from a variety of plants like moss, air plants, and even cacti. Terrarium classes are straightforward and easy to follow, making them the ideal gift experience for any of the nature lovers in your life!

When it comes to selecting a DIY terrarium class, you may want to consider how your mini-ecosystem will look, how much you will need to care for it, and how your home environment might affect it. Considering trying one of these fun SF activities for yourself? We’re here to help you find the best terrarium design to suit you and your space!

Should I choose an open or closed terrarium?

Open glass geometric terrarium

As the name suggests, an open terrarium is exposed to the elements, unlike a closed terrarium which has a lid. An open terrarium is a wonderful option if you want to care more closely for your plants and develop your green thumb! At an open terrarium class in San Francisco, an expert floristry teacher will show you how to water your plants and keep them happy and thriving!

This design is ideal for a succulent terrarium and plants that require a more arid environment, like cacti or air plants, as they prefer more sunlight than closed terrariums and sometimes require pruning to keep them from getting overcrowded. A glass geometric terrarium is one of the most popular open terrarium styles and makes a unique and interesting addition to your home.

If you are looking for fun things to do in San Francisco, learning how to make a closed terrarium is a great choice if your home or office has limited sunlight – or if you have limited time! Closed terrariums are self-sufficient and require little maintenance, so if you tend to be a bit forgetful of your plants, these are the DIY terrariums for you. This design works well with mosses, ferns, and most tropical plants. The soil in these kinds of terrariums should be kept damp but never soggy or wet. 

Looking for unique date night ideas? Discover how to make the ideal environment for your terrarium with our expert floristry teachers in a private class.

Get playful with a simple succulent design

DIY succulent terrarium

Succulent terrariums are some of the most popular DIY terrarium designs as these small but powerful plants thrive in almost any habitat. They grow quickly, require little to no maintenance, and are just adorable! With numerous varieties to choose from, it is super easy to make your succulent terrarium pop with fun colors and unique shapes.

The simplicity of succulent terrariums also makes them fun to make with a group of friends. Giggle with your bachelorette party as you sip bubbles and learn how to make a terrarium – we call this succulent and sip! Or try out our terrarium team building activities and unwind with your colleagues over a casual session. Whatever the occasion, learning how to make a succulent terrarium is something anyone can try!

Create desert environments with cute cacti

Cactus plants

Feel inspired by majestic, desert landscapes at a cactus terrarium class in the Bay Area. Cacti love warm and arid environments and are the perfect decoration for a sunny balcony or porch. These plants grow easily and require little to no attention, making them one of the best DIY terrariums for beginners.

If you are looking for fun things to do in San Francisco with friends, a cactus terrarium class will give you a glimpse into the lives of these desert plants and show you how to create the ideal surroundings for them!

Inspired? Book now:
Our fun Terrarium classes in San Francisco

Wait, you can make a terrarium without soil?

Air plant terrarium

Unlike other terrarium designs, air plant terrariums do not need soil. This is because their special, thin leaves provide these beautiful plants with all of the water and nutrients they need. As soil is not essential, these terrariums can be decorated using more interesting layers like sand, moss, or rocks, and displayed almost anywhere.

Air plants are commonly used in hanging terrariums and displayed like ornaments. They are ideal if you are looking for a design that favors style over function and is easy to make at home with the right air plant terrarium kit. 

Challenge yourself with tropical plants

Perhaps you are an avid gardener who knows all there is to know about plants. If this is the case, a tropical terrarium class may be the perfect challenge for you. They are ideal if you want to bring a bit of the tropics into your home and your design can be as simple or elaborate as you want it to be – the choice is yours!

Requiring a little more TLC than other terrarium designs, our expert floristry teachers will show you how to create a lush and vibrant jungle environment, ideal for these exotic plants. Learn more about the diverse habitats that your plant species come from and get creative with mosses, ferns, and epiphytes. You’ll be amazed by the stunning tropical landscape you can create in just a few short hours!


Gift a unique experience

Gift unique experiences
Gift a specific experience, or let your recipient choose from our 9,000+ creative classes and kits.
star
You can gift with confidence: ClassBento is rated 4.9 stars, from 24k+ reviews.




Discover and enjoy our curated classes


Art Classes San Francisco
Beauty and Fragrance Classes San Francisco
Cooking Classes San Francisco
Craft Classes San Francisco
Flowers and Plants Classes San Francisco
Paint and Sip Classes San Francisco
Pottery Classes San Francisco

 

Follow us, stay inspired


More stories for you

From our Things To Do collection

7 Fun Team Events NYC Teams Actually Love, According to Our Community

7 Fun Team Events NYC Teams Actually Love, According to Our Community


By Joe Hamway

Find team events NYC groups actually rave about. From cooking classes to paint and sip nights, discover seven creative ways to connect beyond the office!
An Insider's Look at a Fragrance Making Class in NYC

An Insider's Look at a Fragrance Making Class in NYC


By Bryanna Santos

Discover what really happens inside a fragrance making class in NYC, from blending scent notes to creating a custom perfume in a calming studio setting.
57 Best Team Building Events in NYC for a Memorable Experience

57 Best Team Building Events in NYC for a Memorable Experience


By Kellie Maloney

Discover 57 unforgettable group activities in New York -- from pasta making to escape rooms. Find the perfect team building experience for your crew!
15 Festive Holiday Party Activities in NYC You Can't Miss This Christmas

15 Festive Holiday Party Activities in NYC You Can't Miss This Christmas


By Joe Hamway

From wreath making to graffiti workshops, discover 15 office holiday party ideas in NYC that trade passive mingling for something genuinely memorable!
The Best Office Holiday Party Ideas in New York City for Every Budget

The Best Office Holiday Party Ideas in New York City for Every Budget


By Bryanna Santos

Find the best office holiday party ideas in NYC for every budget, from creative workshops to interactive experiences your team will love.
Cute and Crafty Fall Date Ideas in NYC You Need to Try This Weekend

Cute and Crafty Fall Date Ideas in NYC You Need to Try This Weekend


By Bryanna Santos

Try cute, crafty fall date ideas NYC couples will love, from pottery and candle making to cozy baking workshops and autumn adventures.
Unique and Romantic Couple Gifts in NYC to Celebrate a Big Milestone

Unique and Romantic Couple Gifts in NYC to Celebrate a Big Milestone


By Cara Hutto

Searching for romantic couple gifts in NYC? Celebrate a wedding, engagement, anniversary, or birthday with an unforgettable experience gift.
7 Twists on a Classic Pasta Date Night in NYC

7 Twists on a Classic Pasta Date Night in NYC


By Joe Hamway

Discover the best pasta date NYC ideas – from hands-on classes to cozy post-dinner drink spots – for a fun, romantic night couples will love!
47 Top Team Building Events in Brooklyn for a Fun Day Out

47 Top Team Building Events in Brooklyn for a Fun Day Out


By Kellie Maloney

Discover the best Brooklyn team building activities, from cooking and pottery to cocktail classes, creative workshops, and unique group outings.
Fun Date Night Ideas in NYC for Adventurous Couples

Fun Date Night Ideas in NYC for Adventurous Couples


By Kiana Pontrelli

Looking for adventurous date ideas in NYC? Try hands-on classes couples love, from pottery and cooking to graffiti and metalwork.
Create Statement Jewelry with a Ring Making Class in NYC

Create Statement Jewelry with a Ring Making Class in NYC


By Joe Hamway

Discover the joy of ring making in NYC! From silver to wax carving, explore beginner-friendly jewelry classes perfect for dates, friends & fun. Book yours today!
The Cutest Neighborhood Studios to Paint Your Own Ceramics in NYC

The Cutest Neighborhood Studios to Paint Your Own Ceramics in NYC


By Bryanna Santos

Discover charming local pottery studios across the boroughs with paint your own ceramics NYC experiences near you.

Explore our story collections


Things To Do Gift Ideas & Experiences Creative Wellbeing Community Hub


article 0 4FHB8OR140 b96a490f1dd90bcefdba5812d2d1076a 1 production san-francisco San Francisco CA US san-francisco