Terrarium

A terrarium is an enclosed habitat for terrestrial plants or animals. Its walls retain moisture and create a contained environment whose conditions can be managed.

Water cycle: The continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. Evaporation and condensation recycle moisture inside a closed terrarium.
Substrate (horticulture): The material in which plants grow, providing physical support and often water and nutrients. Substrate choice determines root conditions inside a planted terrarium.
Bottle garden: A garden of plants grown inside a bottle or other glass vessel. It is a compact plant terrarium, often designed to need little watering.
Open terrarium: A plant enclosure with an open top or other substantial exposure to outside air. It loses moisture faster than a sealed or mostly closed terrarium.
Condensation: The change of a substance from gas to liquid, often as vapor cools on a surface. Water vapor commonly condenses on a terrarium's cooler walls.
Drainage layer: A coarse layer beneath growing medium that helps excess water collect away from roots. It can separate saturated water from the root zone in a terrarium.
Vivarium: An enclosure for keeping and observing living animals or plants under controlled conditions. The term covers terrariums designed as habitats for terrestrial animals.
Closed terrarium: A plant enclosure with a lid or seal that greatly limits exchange with outside air. It retains humidity and recycles water more than an open design.
Transpiration: The release of water vapor from plants, mainly through pores in their leaves. Plant transpiration adds moisture to the enclosed air.
Potting soil: A growing medium formulated for container plants, often containing organic matter and porous mineral components. Its texture and water retention influence terrarium root health.

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