How to Make a Spooky Terrarium (The Cutest Halloween Craft You Haven’t Tried Yet)
If you love Halloween decor but want something a little different from the usual pumpkins and fake cobwebs draped over everything, I have the project for you. Spooky terrariums are having a serious moment right now, and honestly, once you make one, you will wonder why you haven’t been doing this for years. They are small, they are creepy in the best possible way, and they look like something straight out of a witch’s cottage.
The best part? You can keep the glass container going all year long. Just swap out the Halloween miniatures after October and you have a perfectly normal terrarium sitting on your shelf. It is the craft that keeps giving.
I made mine for a corner of my living room and it immediately became my favorite thing in the house. Let me show you exactly how to do it.
What You Will Need
- A glass terrarium or wide-mouth jar: Any open glass container works. A geometric terrarium, a large mason jar, or a wide apothecary jar all give a slightly different vibe. Go with what matches your home. I love this geometric terrarium for the look.
- Pebbles or small rocks: These go on the bottom to create drainage and a natural-looking base layer. These work perfectly.
- Activated charcoal (optional but great): A thin layer between your rocks and soil keeps things fresh if you are using live plants. This is the one I use.
- Potting soil or succulent mix: You only need a few inches for the plants to root into. This terrarium mix is ideal.
- Small succulents or preserved moss: Succulents are perfect because they are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant. Preserved sheet moss works beautifully too and needs zero watering. This live moss duo is gorgeous.
- Decorative black sand or dark gravel: Totally optional, but a layer of black sand on top takes the spooky factor way up. This black sand is my favorite.
- Mini Halloween figurines: Think tiny skulls, miniature tombstones, small ghosts, little black cats, mini lanterns, or a tiny grim reaper. This 21-piece set has everything you need.
- Faux spider webbing: A small amount stretched thin over the plants looks incredibly realistic. This pack gives you way more than you need, which is great for multiple projects.
- Plastic spiders: The small ones are perfect for nestling into the moss or draping over the edge of the jar. These tiny realistic ones are perfect.
- Battery-operated fairy lights (orange or warm white): Weave these in and the whole thing glows. It is so good. These mini string lights are exactly the right size.
- A small spoon or garden trowel: For layering and placing your soil without making a mess. This mini garden tool set is handy to have.
- A dry paintbrush: For wiping soil off the glass and plant leaves once you are done. A set of detail brushes works great.
How to Make Your Spooky Terrarium
Step 1: Start With Your Drainage Layer
Pour a one to two inch layer of pebbles into the bottom of your glass container. This is your drainage base. It keeps the roots of your plants from sitting in water and rotting. If you are using activated charcoal, sprinkle a thin layer over the pebbles now.
Step 2: Add Your Soil
Spoon in two to three inches of potting soil or succulent mix on top of your rocks. Pat it down gently so it is level. You want enough depth for your plant roots to settle in comfortably.
Step 3: Plant Your Succulents or Moss
If you are using succulents, gently remove them from their nursery containers, loosen the roots slightly, and nestle them into the soil. Space them out so they have room to breathe. If you are going the preserved moss route, simply press pieces of moss into the surface of the soil and arrange them how you like. Moss covers beautifully and gives that dark, overgrown forest floor look that is perfect for a spooky terrarium.
Step 4: Add Black Sand or Dark Gravel (Optional)
If you grabbed some black decorative sand or dark gravel, sprinkle a thin layer over the top of the soil around your plants. This completely transforms the look and makes the whole thing feel moody and intentional.
Step 5: Place Your Halloween Miniatures
Now comes the fun part. Arrange your tiny skulls, tombstones, ghosts, and any other figurines throughout the terrarium. Tuck them into the moss, lean them against the glass, or group them together in a little graveyard scene. There is no wrong way to do this. Play around with placement until it makes you happy.
Step 6: Add Webbing and Spiders
Stretch your faux spider webbing thin so it looks more realistic than clumped, then drape it gently over the plants and figurines. Place your plastic spiders on the webbing, on the rim of the container, or crawling up the glass on the inside. The creepier the better.
Step 7: Weave In the Fairy Lights
This is the step that takes it from cute to absolutely magical. Coil a strand of battery-operated fairy lights through the terrarium, tucking the wire behind plants and under the webbing so it is hidden. Turn them on and watch your little spooky world come to life.
Step 8: Clean Up the Glass
Use a dry paintbrush to gently sweep any stray soil off the inside of the glass and off your plant leaves. A clean glass exterior makes the whole thing look so much more polished and finished.
Tips for the Best Spooky Terrarium
Keep the webbing wispy. The biggest mistake people make is using too much webbing in a big clump. Pull it apart until it is almost sheer. Thin webbing looks hauntingly real.
Group your figurines. A cluster of tiny tombstones reads better than spreading them all out. Think of it like styling a vignette: odd numbers, varying heights, overlapping slightly.
Go low-maintenance with plants. If you are worried about keeping plants alive, preserved moss is your best friend. It looks amazing, never needs water, and will last for years.
Layer your lighting. If your terrarium is going in a darker corner, the fairy lights alone will be enough. If it is on a well-lit shelf, add a small candle or LED taper nearby to give it that eerie glow from the outside too.
Make more than one. Once you get the hang of it, these go really fast. A cluster of three different-sized terrariums grouped together on a mantel or bookshelf looks absolutely stunning.
Display Ideas
These terrariums look gorgeous on a mantel grouped with black taper candles and dried orange slices. They are also perfect for a Halloween party tablescape, a front entryway shelf, a bathroom counter for a moody October vibe, or even as a gift. Honestly, a spooky terrarium wrapped with a black ribbon and a little card is one of the most creative Halloween gifts you can give someone.
Shop the Supplies
- Glass Terrarium Container
- Decorative Pebbles
- Activated Charcoal for Terrariums
- Succulent Potting Mix
- Preserved Sheet Moss
- Black Decorative Sand
- Mini Halloween Figurine Set
- Faux Spider Webbing
- Plastic Spiders
- Orange Fairy Lights (Battery Operated)
- Mini Garden Trowel Set
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