About Us

Hello friends!  Terrarium is a place for plant lovers and those who love to showcase their fascination with Earth’s most beautiful natural “accessories.” Whether you are an avid gardener, a patio planter, or simply enjoy bringing a little green into your home decor, we think you will find Terrarium has something for everyone.

With the launch of both a brick and mortar store in historic downtown Tomball, Texas and an online shop that ships direct from the grower, Terrarium is chock full of unique potted plants, terrariums and supplies to get your cultivated collection growing, plus wonderful indoor and outdoor accessories, tools, vessels and display pieces for your favorite green darlings.

A little green and a little magic… Terrarium is sure to be your new favorite place to shop for plants and botanical decor. We look forward to meeting you!

Introducing Terrarium Plant House

  • Our store specializes in indoor and patio plants, custom terrariums and terrarium supplies, and botanically inspired decor and gifts. While most of our plants are live, we do carry a selection of faux, dried and preserved plants as well. Our home and gift selection features unique finds from many independent makers and creative brands you won’t find in other stores in our area.

  • We are open 11am – 5pm Tuesday- Friday, 10am – 5pm Saturdays, and 1pm-4pm on Sunday. We are closed on Monday. Exceptions to this schedule may occur during holidays, market dates, special events, and inclement weather. Follow our Facebook Page or Instagram for regular updates.

  • Yes of course! We have a variety of pre-designed terrariums in all shapes and sizes, ready to perfectly compliment your decor or to be shared as a lovely gift, but we will also have all the supplies you might need to design your own as well.

  • No, we specialize in indoor house plants. However, Houston is lucky to have a climate that tropical plants find very agreeable for many months of the year. Don’t be afraid to make those indoor plants outdoor plants in comfortable weather!

  • Yes, we will: 
    -Re-pot or up-pot plants for you for a small fee
    -Provide advice on lighting, pests, watering, etc
    -Trim your plant for you for propagation
    -Diagnose plants with ailments
    -Assist with staking and moss-poling your large climbing plants

  • Please make sure you thoughtfully choose each product you plan to purchase, and LOVE the selection you have made before you pay for it. We can not accept returns and all sales are final. Because we offer assembled by hand, one-of-a-kind and limited quantity items, we are not able to allow our customers to return or exchange their purchase. Distressed, aged, and vintage products are sold AS IS with all their lovely flaws. If you change your mind, consider gifting your item to someone who would love it.

  • Yes! Throw a green-themed party here in store with us. From private shopping time to group DIY classes, we’re happy to help your party come to life. We have a modestly sized private space for small parties. Please contact us here for more information.

  • Yes! We welcome all well behaved, leashed animals for shopping. Pets are not allowed to attend the DIY classes due to space restrictions in our classroom.

  • No, we do not purchase plants from non-wholesaler accounts. If you have plants you’d like to rehome we’d be happy to help you set them up with new owners.

  • We LOVE unique items and collaborations with small businesses like ourselves. Feel free to send us some product details via email at info@terrariumplanthouse.com for consideration.

  • Unfortunately due to the age of our building, there are no wheelchair ramp accessible entrances.

  • We are located directly next to a free public parking lot on the corner of W Main Street and S Cherry Street. On farmer’s market days, overflow parking can be found along the many side streets surrounding Old Town Tomball.

Frequently Asked Questions- Store

  • We currently offer the following times for classes:
    Fridays 5:30-7:30 PM
    Saturdays 10:00-12:00 PM and 2:00-4:00 PM
    Sundays 4:30-6:30 PM
    Kids’ classes are usually offered during the weekdays while school is out. Our full schedule is available here.
    Classes are usually booked for 2 hours, but most students finish in about an hour and a half depending on the size of the vessel.
    If these times do not work for you, please reach out about scheduling an off-hours private class.

  • Because space is limited in our studio, we do not allow “spectators” in our classes. Every single person in the classroom space must have a spot paid for regardless of whether or not they intend to make a terrarium, fairy garden, bog, or other plant creation. Some exceptions to this rule are parents helping a child make their item, or people who physically cannot make items or need assistance. If you have questions about someone in your group wanting to attend a class but not participate in creating a project, please contact us.

  • Yes, but both students must pay for a class spot, and each class spot includes a “starter” vessel. To get the most bang for your buck we recommend sharing the creation of two projects together, or have your instructor make the starter vessel for you while you and your friend work on your joint project.

  • Classes are BYOB! Please feel free to bring your own beer, wine, seltzer, or cider. We ask please, no liquor. Food is only permitted for private classes.

  • Unfortunately no, we ask please no outside containers in the class. Only certain containers are suitable to be used as terrariums and we want to set you up for success with the right type of vessel.

  • Our classes teach you everything you need to know about terrarium building and upkeep step by step from start to finish. 

    Included in the class sign up fee:
    -A 1 quart mason jar with a custom glass lid
    -Drainage layers and terrarium soil
    -Live tropical plants
    -Live green moss
    -Decorative rocks
    -Live springtails (dependent on current availability)
    -Expert guidance
    -Our 30 day warranty

    Available for additional purchase:
    -Larger, more decorative vessels
    -Fun trinkets to put inside your terrarium
    -Maintenance kits

  • Our Fairy Garden Workshop is a whimsical way to bring some magic home to your patio or garden!

    What’s included:

    -Two terracotta pots to stack for an “upstairs” and “downstairs” garden home
    -Live succulents and sedums, ideal for outdoors on a patio, balcony, or in the garden
    -A ceramic gnome or fairy to live inside your masterpiece
    -Decorative rocks and gravel to lay walkways and paths
    -Preserved mosses and other natural decor items

    Plus:

    -Fairy homes, benches, bridges, castles, windmills, tables, and much more available to purchase the day of for even more magical decorating
    -Tiny trinkets like gnomes, animals, and mushrooms for finishing touches
    -Step-by-step guidance from an in-house instructor
    -Care instructions including watering, lighting, and maintenance
    -A 30-day no-fault warranty on all fairy gardens created during the workshop
    -Upgrade opportunities for different bowls and planters
    -Discounts on grow lights
    -Free fairy garden “spa” maintenance for life- bring your garden back in any time for complementary trimmings as often as you’d like!

  • Carnivorous plants are infamous for being difficult to care for, but this class makes it easy to start your meat-eaters garden!

    What’s included:

    -A 6” glass bowl
    -Carnivorous-specific soil
    -Decorative rocks and gravels
    -Driftwood
    -Live carnivorous plants for the land portion
    -Aquatic plants for the bog portion

    Plus:

    -Step-by-step guidance from an expert teacher
    -Care and maintenance guidance including information on watering, feeding, winter dormancy, and lighting
    -A 30-day guarantee on all bogs made during the class
    -Upgrade options for unique bowls
    -Discounts on grow lights
    -Free bog “spa” maintenance for life- bring your bog back in anytime for complementary glass cleaning and trimming as often as you’d like!

  • While the adult version of the DIY Terrarium class can be tedious and lengthy for kids with complex science and history discussions, the children’s terrarium class is geared towards being an fun and educational experience for a child accompanied by an adult. This “lighter” class is designed with children in mind and includes easier step-by-step instructions, discussions that tie well into schooling topics on plants and biology, and fun trinkets for each child.

  • Have a planty party at Terrarium House! Groups of 6 or more are welcome to book our classroom space for a private event like a birthday party, team building, girl’s night, bachelor party, school trip, or more. Please contact us here for more information.

  • We sell assembled terrariums, bog gardens, fairy gardens, and DIY kits in store for you to bring home. Come visit us!

  • Terrarium Plant House understands that sometimes schedules change and therefore request at least 24 hour notice when rescheduling your class. We do not offer refunds for booked classes. A credit card on file is required to book and reschedule classes. We offer 1 rescheduling free of charge and all reschedules after that will incur a 50% cost fee of (half of cost of class) per person booked. Students can reschedule their own classes by following the link in their confirmation email they received upon booking.

    Please note that if you are over 15 minutes late to your class you will be considered a no show and we will be forced to reschedule you with a no show fee of 50%.

    If a person in your party cannot attend the class, a to-go project kit will be packaged and sent home with you for that person.

Frequently Asked Questions- Classes

  • By definition, a terrarium is a glass container, partially or completely enclosed, used to house living plant specimens. Originating in the Victorian Era and created as a means to transport plant specimens from faraway places, the art of terrarium making has evolved into a much more eclectic use of materials and styles, and with a much more decorative than scientific purpose.

  • Not at all. Closed terrariums create their own little ecosystem that helps maintain moisture levels and will only need a little additional water and fresh air every now and then, and the occasional pruning of expired leaves or plants. There are actually some studied closed bottle terrariums that are reported to be over 50 years old. Open terrariums, such as those commonly used for succulents, are watered sparingly – sometimes only once every 2 weeks or more. If you are looking for a NO maintenance option, terrariums can even be created with some truly lifelike faux or preserved plants we carry as well.

  • Springtails are small, harmless bugs that love to help with the maintenance of terrariums. They are a crucial part of the decomposition cycle of the ecosystem inside your jar. In fact, they are so tiny you may never see them! They will live their lives entirely inside your jar and are not at risk of escaping into your home or other plants.

  • We are in the process of preparing live isopods and springtails for purchase! Please stay tuned. If you are interested in larger animals like dart frogs, lizards, or invertebrates, we are happy to recommend many local Houston businesses.

  • Mold is a normal part of a terrarium’s life, and especially common in the first six months of a terrarium as it’s balancing its moisture cycle. Remove anything that seems overcome by mold as it may be feasting upon a dead leaf. We highly recommend the addition of springtails to control mold and plant waste. Brighter light and more frequent watering can also help control mold.

  • Congratulations, you made a thriving ecosystem! While beautiful, mushrooms can be destructive by the amount they’re capable of disrupting the gas cycle inside your terrarium. We recommend trimming mushrooms at the base and discarding to prevent sporing. Do not eat the mushrooms that grow in your terrarium.

  • If your terrarium is a bit under the weather, don’t panic! We are here to help. Please send pictures to us via text or email and we’ll be happy to consult you on bringing it back to life. Terrariums that are beyond repair can be brought in to store and replanted for the cost of supplies.

  • Absolutely! Bring us your container or come shop one of ours and tell us how you’d like it to look.

  • While some terrariums last years and years being sealed, we do not recommend aiming for a terrarium that never needs to be opened until you’re very familiar with the water and gas cycles involved. Most terrariums in store need to be opened and watered anywhere from every 1 to 10 months depending on how tight the lids are, what’s planted inside, what time of year it is, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions- Terrariums

  • Happy Hour is our open studio hours, DIY Terrarium bar time on Fridays from 11 to 5. This is a “lite” version of the class experience where you are welcome to use our space and supplies to create your own terrarium in store. We highly recommend attending a class first to learn how to create terrariums as Happy Hour is designed for people with previous terrarium experience who want to make more. There are no teachers available during Happy Hour and all creations are self-taught. 

  • Happy Hour is Tuesdays-Fridays from 11 to 5 PM, and 1-4 PM on Sundays. Occasionally, the classroom space may be closed for private events. Please call or text ahead to make sure the classroom is available for you.

  • Yes! Happy Hour is your opportunity to plant a container that you brought from home. We price your jar depending on the amount of supplies that can fit inside. 

    General recommendations for a terrarium-worthy container are:
    -Clear glass that allows light to pass inside
    -Clean inside without food, liquid, or chemical residue
    -A lid of some sort, as lids are important factors of the terrarium water cycle
    -A hole large enough to fit your hand in, or great hand-eye coordination with tweezers!

  • Our DIY kits in store start at $49 and go up with size. We have containers that match every budget and vision. 

    You are welcome to bring your own jar to Happy Hour. A Terrarium House associate will price your jar depending on the volume of the container and what you plan to put inside it. Prices generally range from $15-60. Please feel free to text or email a picture of your jar with an item for scale to our store for a general quote.

  • Like our classes, Happy Hour is BYO beer, wine, seltzer, or cider. We ask please, no liquor and no food.

  • No, the 30 day warranty only applies to terrariums created in our DIY Terrarium Building Classes. If something goes wrong with your Happy Hour build we cannot take responsibility but will be happy to assist with recovery advice.

Frequently Asked Questions- Happy Hour

  • Our payments are processed via Square where you are able to safely pay via your chosen credit card. All payments require a U.S. billing address.

  • YES! Payment processing occurs on the trusted Square secure servers so you don’t have to worry about your sensitive payment information getting into the wrong hands.

  • The majority of our plant selection is available in 4″-6″ pot sizes. We do offer some plants in terrarium and starter sizes around 2″-3″ and a few larger 8″ plants.

  • In order for us to be able to offer you the best prices possible on our items and reduce your shipping costs as much as we can, we are not able to expedite or rush ship our products.

    Live plants are generally shipped directly from our growers within 48 hrs of placing your order. You will receive tracking info for your shipment.

    Please allow 7-10 business days for processing and delivery of non-plant items, though many non-perishable items may arrive using the same schedule above as for plants.

    You will receive an email with delivery information once your item has shipped. Keep in mind that we can not control special circumstances such as weather related delays.

  • At this time we can only ship to the 48 contiguous United States.

  • To keep your shipping costs as low as possible, some items may ship separately. Your shipping costs remain the same regardless, but some items in your order may arrive before others based on what it is.

  • Our shipping fees are based on the total purchase weight at checkout.  Large items may incur an additional surcharge (generally $10-$30) for extra packaging and handling requirements, and/or truck shipping. Once you have made your selection, you can review the shipping charges and any large item surcharges applied to your order prior to processing your payment.

  • Make sure you read the descriptions carefully for each product and LOVE the selection you have made. We can not accept returns. Because we often offer limited quantity items and unique styles at below standard retail price, we are not able to allow our customers to return or exchange their purchase. If you change your mind, consider gifting your item to someone who would love it. If the item is damaged upon arrival, let us know immediately via email and include photos of your package prior to opening and damaged items so we can arrange for a replacement or exchange.

  • Unfortunately we can’t always guarantee that an item will return to stock, so if you love something, don’t wait! Many items are only available in small quantities. A great way to stay informed about our latest items and last chance items is to follow us on Instagram and/or Facebook and sign up for our newsletter.

  • This is rare, but can happen. If an item is in limited quantity, and several people purchase at the same time, our inventory may not have time to catch up and update on our site before your checkout. If this happens, we will contact you regarding when the item will be back in stock and available to ship, or we can offer to refund your purchase.

  • If an item is in high demand, we may allow you to purchase the item on backorder to guarantee you get that item when a new shipment is available.

Frequently Asked Questions- Online Store

Didn’t find an answer to your question here in our FAQs? please feel free to email us at info@terrariumplanthouse.com. We are happy to help you with your needs.