How to Build the Glass Globe Kit (No Plant Edition): A Step-by-Step Terrarium Guide

Worried you'll kill it? Don't be.

The No Plant Edition of our Glass Globe Kit was built for anyone who'd rather choose their own plant than leave it up to a box. You get the same round glass globe on its own metal stand, styled with rich red and gold moss tones; everything except the plant itself, which is entirely your call. This guide walks you through the entire build, layer by layer, so there's no guesswork from unboxing to a finished piece on display.

Why We Made a No Plant Version

Plenty of people already have a succulent they picked up on a whim, or they'd rather select one in person at a nursery than trust a box to get it right. Others are gifting this kit and want the recipient to make that final decision themselves. So we built a version of the Glass Globe Kit that includes everything except the plant: the vessel, the stand, the soil, the styling materials, and the guide. You bring the plant. We handle the rest.

The soil in this kit is formulated for succulents, so that's the most natural pairing if you want something low-maintenance. Air plants and small, low-light greenery also suit the round globe shape well, so you've got real room to build around whatever you already love.

What's Inside

Here's everything in the box: a round glass globe terrarium, a metal stand, succulent soil with fertilizer, white pebbles, red moss, gold moss, green calcite, natural gem chips, a random decorative figurine, terrarium tools, and a printed build and care guide. Every piece is pre-portioned, so you're not guessing at quantities or wondering if you've used too much of any one material.

What You'll Need Before You Start

Just your plant of choice, plus a spray bottle for misting once it's built. Everything else, including the vessel and stand, ships in the box. Set aside about 15 to 20 minutes and a clear surface, and you're ready to go.

The Build, Step by Step

1. Add the drainage layer. Pour the white pebbles into the base of the globe, about ½ inch deep. This layer keeps excess water away from the roots, and it's the detail that matters most no matter what you end up planting.

2. Add the soil. Layer the succulent soil over the pebbles, mounding it slightly toward the back of the vessel so the finished build has some depth once everything else is layered in.

3. Place your plant. This is where the kit becomes yours. The soil is formulated for succulents, but air plants and small greenery work well too. Nestle the roots into the soil and press gently to secure it in place.

4. Layer in the red and gold moss. Use the terrarium tools to tuck both moss colors around the base of your plant, covering any exposed soil. The warm tones here set this kit apart from the greener builds — it's a different look entirely.

5. Set the green calcite and gem chips. Place the green calcite as a focal point, then scatter the gem chips around it for color and shine. Cluster them for a bolder statement or spread them evenly for something more subtle.

6. Add your figurine. Place your random decorative figurine to finish the scene. It's a small detail, but it's what gives the build its own personality.

7. Mist, mount, and finish. Give your build a light mist from a spray bottle, then set the globe into its metal stand and find it a bright spot with indirect light.

Keeping It Alive After the Build

Care is straightforward once it's built. Mist lightly with a spray bottle every one to two weeks, and only when the soil feels dry to the touch. Bright, indirect light suits most plants that pair well with this kit, so keep it away from direct afternoon sun magnified through the glass. And when you're setting the finished piece on display, place the metal stand on a flat, level surface; the round globe shape can roll or tip if the base isn't secure.

Mistakes Worth Skipping

A few habits catch nearly every first-time builder: skipping the drainage layer, overwatering because it feels like more care, setting the terrarium in harsh direct light, and placing the stand somewhere unstable. Avoid those four, and your build already has a strong start.

Build It Your Way

The No Plant Edition gives you the same striking globe silhouette and warm red-and-gold styling as the original kit, but the plant inside is entirely up to you. Whether that's a succulent you already own, an air plant you've been meaning to use, or something you're leaving for the person you're gifting it to decide, this kit adapts to you instead of the other way around.

Ready to build yours? Shop the Glass Globe Kit (No Plant Edition) and follow along with the full printed guide included in every box.

Available on Amazon.

Visit our tutorial page for the Glass Globe Kit (No Plant Edition).