5 Amazing Terrarium Designers You Should Know

Discover these unique artists embracing the miniature world of botanical design

These botanical designers, or terrarium designers, work in miniature, applying key knowledge and techniques–such as landscaping, design, flower arrangement, lighting, and even biology–to small-scale projects. Their creations are bursting with life–these designers carefully create environments in which botany can mutate, thrive, and surprise us all.

Instead of paper, these artists use earth, rocks, and water as their canvas. They don’t use brushes or pencils, but plants, mosses, and fungi.

We’ve selected five botanical designers you should know.

Terra Jardim Ateliê Botânico (@terrajardim)

Ju Ferrari and San Rodrigues are Brazilian biologists who apply their understanding of how ecosystems work to create magical little worlds in fish tanks and jars. Their terrariums are like 3D botanical postcards of moments we all yearn for: vacations with friends, sailboat rides, and yoga classes by the sea. Ju and San create these universes, but they also teach others how to create their own and take care of them.

Terrariumman (@terrariumman)

Do you want to create a temperate rainforest in the Pacific Northwest? Maybe a corner of Argentine Patagonia? Terrariumman is a master at recreating parts of the planet using elements he collects from the forest surrounding his home. On his Instagram, in addition to showing his pieces, he reveals his entire creative process, including the beautiful walks he goes on in search of materials.

Bois Joli, Design végétal & Créations botaniques (@atelier_boisjoli)

In a workshop in Apt, in the heart of the Luberon in France, a team of craftsmen creates enchanting decorative objects using plants. These creations are poetic and arouse curiosity. They also design objects and small pieces of furniture which become homes for plants.

Terratopia (@terratopia_id)

Terratopia specializes in creating terrariums and mossariums to order. Mossariums are small gardens exclusively made of moss–sometimes, certain types of fungi can make an unexpected appearance. This artist also creates paintings out of mini vertical gardens that have to be sprayed with water to keep them in good condition.

Mosslight-LED (@mosslight1955)

Mosslight is a lighting studio that sells products to those interested in mossariums. What makes moss so special? Well, it was the first plant to grow on Earth 400 million years ago. This studio has designed small lamps that regulate the conditions so that a small ecosystem can change seasons. This means you can have a little piece of autumn in your home even when it’s summer in your city.

English version by @eloiseedgington.

You may also like:

–Naturalist Illustrations with Watercolors: Drawing and Composition, a course by Cristina Cilloniz
–Unique Ceramic Plant Pot Creation, a course by La Pomona
–What Is Botany, and How Does It Inspire Creativity?
- Online Floral and Plant Design courses