Editing Terrarium (section)

==Types==
Terraria are typically classified into two categories: closed and open. Closed terraria are sealed shut with a lid, door, or cork; open terraria have access to fresh air, most commonly by leaving the container open or through a hole drilled into the container.

===Closed terrarium===
[[File:Small Form Mesocosm Figure.svg | thumb|Diagram of sealed terrarium]]

Tropical plant varieties, such as [[mosses|moss]], [[orchids]], [[ferns]], and [[air plants]] are generally kept within closed terraria to replicate their native humid, sheltered environment in the tropics.<ref name="auto"/> Keeping the terrarium sealed allows for circulation of water, making the terrarium self-sufficient. The terrarium may be opened once a week, allowing evaporation of excess moisture from the air and walls of the container, to prevent growth of [[Mold (fungus)|mold]] or [[algae]], which may damage plants and discolor the sides of the terrarium.<ref name=Terrariums>{{cite web|last1=Trinklein|first1=David H.|title=Terrariums|url=http://extension.missouri.edu/p/g6520|publisher=University of Missouri Extension|access-date=27 September 2014|archive-date=February 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228083910/http://extension.missouri.edu/p/g6520|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Springtail]]s may be used to consume mold or fungi within the terrarium.

Any wilting plants or absence of condensation on the walls of the terrarium indicates the terrarium requires water; watering is primarily done using a [[spray bottle]].<ref name="Terrariums" />

Closed terrarium benefit from specific soil mixes to ensure ideal growing conditions and reduce risk of microbial damage; a common medium used is ''peat-lite:'' a mixture of [[peat moss]], [[vermiculite]], and [[perlite]].<ref name=Terrariums /> The mixture should be [[Sterilization (microbiology)|sterile]] to minimize risk of introducing potentially harmful [[Microorganism|microbes]] to the terrarium.<ref name=Terrariums />

===Open terrarium===
[[File:OpenTerrarium.jpg|thumb|An open terrarium]]
[[File:Moss with Container.jpg|thumb|A container with moss without any glass, which may sometimes be considered an open terrarium <!-- not sure if this can be considered a terrarium when it has no glass -->]]
Not all plants require or are suited to the moist environment of closed terraria; open terraria are better suited for plants preferring less humidity and soil moisture, such as temperate plants and plants adapted to dry climates.<ref name="6 Laws of The Terrarium">{{cite web|last1=Eberhardt|first1=Davin|title= 6 Laws of The Terrarium|date=September 24, 2022 |url=https://natureofhome.com/the-6-laws-of-the-terrarium/|publisher=Natureofhome.com|access-date=24 September 2022}}</ref> Open terraria also work well for plants requiring more (but not direct) sunlight, as closed terraria can trap excess heat, potentially killing the plants inside. While open terraria require more watering than closed terraria, they have reduced risk of disease due to their lower humidity.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Martin |first=Tovah |title=The New Terrarium: Creating Beautiful Displays for Plants and Nature |publisher=[[Clarkson Potter]] |year=2009 |isbn=9780307407313 |edition=1st}}</ref>

====Difference from dish garden====
An open terrarium should not be confused with a [[dish garden]]. A terrarium, even open, allows for increased humidity compared to the environment outside the structure, whereas a dish garden does not provide additional humidity. Due to the transparent walls of terraria causing magnification of the sun's rays, terraria cannot be placed in direct sunlight because the intense light will cause foliage to burn. A dish garden can tolerate direct sun, as long as it is planted with full sun-tolerant plants.<ref name=":0" /> Succulents and cacti are better suited for a dish garden than a terrarium because dish gardens allow succulents and cacti to be placed in the full sun they require without burning.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Schnelle |first1=Mike |last2=Hillock |first2=David |last3=Payne |first3=Laura |date=2017-03-01 |title=Terrariums |url=https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/print-publications/hla/terrariums-hla-6438.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/print-publications/hla/terrariums-hla-6438.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service}}</ref>

====Difference from plant pot====
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