Plant an Elegant Wardian Case

In Victorian times, the English used houseplants to make a statement, and they made some of their most eye-catching statements with Wardian cases. These stylized, ornate metal and glass terrariums graced the parlors of many 19th-century British homes.

How these decorative plant environments came to be is an interesting story. They're named after their creator, London surgeon Nathaniel Ward, who invented them in 1829.

As a child, Ward lived in an especially polluted section of London and tried unsuccessfully to grow ferns and mosses in his backyard. Giving up on plants, he decided to try his hand at insects, and put a moth cocoon in a jar. As it turned out, the soil he put in the jar along with the cocoon held some mold, which proceeded to grow in the humid environment of the jar.

Delighted at the unexpected development, Ward experimented with the terrarium-growing method, which eventually made its way into homes. You can read about his invention in this new reprint of his original book on the subject.

Have success growing your own plants in a Wardian case by keeping the following tips in mind.

1. Select suitable plants. Look for slow-growing terrarium plants. Opt for plants that stay small, and avoid fuzzy-leaved plants, as they hold water and can easily rot. Look for terrarium plants at your nursery or at specialty online retailers.

Some good Wardian case plants include African violets, maidenhair fern, dwarf anthurium, pink polka dot plant (hypoestes), pilea, mosses, some ivies, parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans), peperomia, some gesneria and nerve plant (Fittonia).

2. Prepare. Layer the bottom of the Wardian case with one inch of crushed gravel and sprinkle this with a ½-inch layer of odor-reducing charcoal chips. On top of the charcoal add 2 to 3 inches of moist potting soil.

3. Accessorize. Landscape your Wardian case as you would a miniature garden. Create elevated areas and low spots and include accessories in keeping with the Victorian era, such as gazing balls and doll furniture.

4. Plant. Add plants to the Wardian case by carefully inserting their roots into the soil and patting down gently. Leave about two inches between plants to promote air circulation and prevent algae.

5. Mist after planting. Misting plants allows you to knock off any soil clinging to the glass and it increases humidity, which leads to a healthy Wardian case environment. Retain moisture in the case by keeping the lid on, which will cause condensation.

6. Provide proper lighting. Wardian case plants require a bright location with no direct sunlight. Fluorescent lights usually also offer sufficient light.

7. Water sparingly. The high humidity in the terrarium often makes watering unnecessary. Water only when the top inch of soil dries.

8. Fertilize infrequently. Fertilizer causes plants to grow, and you don’t want too much of that in your Wardian case. Apply a solution of ¼-strength all-purpose, organic plant food once every six to eight months.

9. Maintain a clean environment. Pinch off dead and dying leaves so they don’t rot and cause fungus buildup in the Wardian case.