Terrarium Lighting & Placement

Direct light refers to sunlight that shines onto the terrarium plants without any barrier or filtration. If you were to place a terrarium in a windowsill that receives full sun for several hours a day, for example, the plants would be exposed to direct light. While some terrarium plants may tolerate or even enjoy a little direct light, excessive direct sunlight can cause problems such as:

• Overheating: The glass can magnify the sunlight, making the internal temperature too high for most plants.
• Sunburn: Yes, plants can get sunburned! Leaves may become discolored or even die off with too much direct light.
• Drying Out: The soil may dry out more quickly than usual, requiring more frequent watering which could lead to other problems like mold growth.

Indirect light is sunlight that has been diffused or filtered in some way. This could be light that has passed through a sheer curtain, bounced off a wall, or light that comes from a north-facing window where direct sun never shines. Indirect light is often ideal for terrariums for several reasons:

• Consistent Exposure: Many terrarium plants are naturally from understory environments in forests where the light is naturally diffused by the canopy above.
• Temperature Control: Without the intensity of direct sun, the terrarium is less likely to overheat.
• Less Risk of Sunburn: Plants generally won't get sunburned under indirect light conditions.