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

The No Plant Edition of our Teardrop Kit was built for exactly the kind of person who says that out loud right before starting a project like this. You get the same hand-blown teardrop glass terrarium, the same metal stand, the same styling pieces as the original kit; the only difference is you're choosing the plant. No mismatch between what showed up in the box and what you actually wanted to grow. 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 impulse and never repotted, or they'd rather choose one in person at a nursery instead of trusting a box to pick for them. Others are buying this as a gift for someone who wants that decision to be their own. So we built a version of the Teardrop 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, which makes it the most natural pairing if you want something low-maintenance. But air plants and small, low-light greenery also do well in this shape, so you've got real room to build around whatever you already love.

What's Inside

Here's everything in the box: a hand-blown teardrop glass terrarium, a metal stand, a burlap gift bag, succulent soil with fertilizer, white pebbles, pink moss, green moss, a natural gem crystal, natural gem chips, a decorative figurine, terrarium tools, a spray bottle, and a printed build and care guide. Everything 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. 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 build.

The Build, Step by Step

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

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 pink and green moss. Use the terrarium tools to tuck both moss colors around the base of your plant, covering any exposed soil. This is the step where the build starts to look intentional instead of just planted.

5. Set the gem crystal and chips. Place the natural gem crystal as a focal point, then scatter the gem chips around it for color and shine. Cluster them for a bolder look or spread them out for something more balanced.

6. Add your figurine. Place the 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 with the included spray bottle, then set the vessel into its metal stand. If you're gifting it, tuck the whole thing into the burlap bag for presentation.

Keeping It Alive After the Build

Care is straightforward. Mist lightly with the included spray bottle every one to two weeks, and only when the soil feels dry to the touch. Bright, indirect light works well for most plants that pair 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, put the metal stand on a flat, level surface; the teardrop shape can 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, placing the terrarium in harsh direct light, and setting 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 teardrop silhouette and gift-ready presentation as the original kit, but the plant inside is entirely your call. Whether that's a succulent you already own, an air plant you've been meaning to use, or something you're leaving up to the person you're gifting it to, this kit adapts to you instead of the other way around.

Ready to build yours? Shop the Teardrop 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 Teardrop Kit (No Plant Edition).