The DK-published book, from Worcester Terrarium's Ben Newell, tells his story of transforming his life from being a postman to having 3.4 million social media followers and 1.4 billion views for his TikTok terrarium.
He tells you how to create a mini universe with 13 projects included.
Newell advises on which containers, soils (he recommends peat-free), plants (ferns, ficus, moss, aquatics, selaginella, peperomia, begonia, fittonia, orchids), propagation techniques, lighting and hardscape to use.
He won gold at Chelsea in 2022 and is an obvious choice for a book. Born in Malaysia, he discovered terrariums in 2016. Overcoming addiction and mental health issues, horticulture changed his life. First an allotment, then onto working with Disney and Marvel; it's an inspirational book, full of creativity.
Basically you can have a lid-on or lid-off terrarium, which could be in an old fish bowl or aquarium. Levels of moss, water and creatures (do all the 'custodians' survive for long?) differentiate other types of these plant-filled containers.
The appeal is having your own tiny world in your hand and getting away from the real world, and Newell is a great guide to how and why you should make one.
