What Happens at a Terrarium Workshop? Everything You Need to Know Before You Book

If you've landed on this page, there's a good chance you've been thinking about booking one of our terrarium workshops. Firstly, thank you. Whether you're looking for a unique day out, a thoughtful gift, a creative date idea or simply a few hours to yourself, I'd absolutely love to welcome you into our bright and happy workshop space. 

One of the questions I'm asked a lot is:

"I've never done anything like this before... will I actually be able to make one?"

The answer is always yes.

In fact, most people who come to our workshops have never made a terrarium before. Many arrive saying they're "not creative" or that they're terrible at keeping plants alive. A couple of hours later, they're carefully carrying home a beautiful little world they've created with their own hands.

My Love of Tiny Worlds Started Long Before Radical Living

When people ask me how I became obsessed with terrariums, I don't think it actually started with plants. It started with fairy houses.

As a little girl, I spent hours outside making magical little homes beneath trees. I'd collect fallen branches, twisted tree roots, moss, acorns, feathers, tiny stones and anything else I could find in nature. Moss became carpets, acorn cups became bowls, little roots became tables and chairs. Every tiny detail had its place. I even made snails into taxis. I could disappear into my imagination for hours.

Looking back now, I realise I was creating tiny natural worlds long before I'd ever heard the word terrarium.

Why I Started Running Terrarium Workshops

For me, these workshops have never just been about teaching people how to plant something inside a glass vessel.

They're about slowing down. They're about reconnecting with nature. They're about putting our phones away for a couple of hours and creating something with our own hands.

Life moves so quickly these days. We're constantly rushing from one thing to the next, replying to emails, ticking off endless to do lists and rarely giving ourselves permission to simply be present.

For a little while, all of that fades into the background.

Instead, you're surrounded by beautiful plants, chatting with lovely people and completely immersed in creating your own tiny world, one tiny leaf and one handful of moss at a time.

I've had so many people tell me afterwards how surprisingly relaxing they found it. There's something incredibly mindful about working with nature. Your focus naturally shifts to the textures, colours and tiny details in front of you, giving your busy mind a chance to slow down.

While I would never say a terrarium workshop is a cure for anxiety or stress, I do believe it's important that we all make time to do things that help us switch off from the pressures of everyday life. For a couple of hours, there's no pressure to be anywhere else or do anything else. Just the simple joy of creating something beautiful.

If you leave feeling a little lighter, a little calmer and proud of what you've created, then that's exactly what I hope these workshops give you.

What Happens During the Workshop?

The workshops are designed for complete beginners, so please don't worry if you've never touched a terrarium before.

As everyone arrives, we'll have tea and coffee waiting, giving everyone time to settle in. Whether you've come on your own, with friends, your partner or a family member, everyone is made to feel welcome.

I'll then introduce you to the different plants and explain how terrariums work. We'll build everything together step by step.

You'll learn why drainage layers are important, how activated charcoal helps create a healthy environment, how to position your plants and why each layer plays such an important role.

Don't worry if those words mean absolutely nothing right now. By the end of the workshop, they'll make perfect sense. The best part is that no two terrariums ever look the same. Some people create lush little rainforests bursting with greenery. Others prefer something beautifully simple and minimal. Every terrarium reflects the person who made it, and I absolutely love seeing everyone's personalities come to life.

The Magical Rainforest Moment

If you're joining our Closed Rainforest Terrarium Workshop, there's one moment that I honestly think you'll remember long after the workshop has finished.

Once everyone has completed their miniature rainforest and admired each other's creations, we dim all the lights in the workshop. Then everyone switches on their beautiful LED lids. Suddenly, the whole room glows. Each tiny rainforest lights up from within, highlighting every leaf, every piece of moss and every little detail you've carefully created. It's the perfect way to finish the experience before you carefully take your little rainforest home.

Open Desert or Closed Rainforest?

We currently run two different terrarium workshops.

Our Closed Rainforest Terrarium Workshop allows you to create your own self-contained miniature rainforest inside a beautiful glass vessel with its stunning LED light-up lid.

Our Open Desert Terrarium Workshop has a completely different feel, using cacti and succulents to create a striking desert landscape full of beautiful textures and sculptural shapes.

Whichever workshop you choose, you'll leave with something that's completely unique to you.

You'll Leave With More Than Just a Terrarium

Of course, you'll head home with your beautiful creation, but I hope you'll leave with something else too.

A little more confidence, a slower mind, a new appreciation for plants and the satisfaction that comes from creating something with your own hands.

I'll also send you home with a care guide, so you'll know exactly how to look after your terrarium and keep it thriving for years to come.

As a little thank you for joining us, everyone attending a workshop also receives 20% off at Radical Living on the day. So after the workshop, you're welcome to have a browse around the shop. Whether you've had your eye on a handmade ceramic mug, a beautiful houseplant or a thoughtful gift, it's the perfect opportunity to treat yourself.

I'd Love to Welcome You

One of the things I enjoy most about these workshops is seeing how different everyone's terrarium becomes. We all start with the same materials, but no two creations are ever alike. Everyone brings their own ideas, personality and creativity, often without even realising it.

It's also lovely watching the atmosphere in the room. People often arrive a little nervous, especially if they've come on their own, but before long everyone is chatting, sharing ideas and admiring each other's creations. By the end of the workshop, there's always such a lovely sense of achievement.

Whether you're looking for something different to do with a friend, planning a date, celebrating a birthday or simply fancy trying something new, I hope you'll feel right at home.

I'd love to welcome you into Radical Living and spend a few hours creating together.

See you soon.

Milly x