A local mother-daughter team leads plant lovers of all ages in terrarium workshops
Nadia De Santi, left, and her daughter Selena Baksh of Ottawa’s Terrific Terrariums show off their creations. Photo Credit Tracey Tong
During the pandemic, Nadia De Santi worked from home while her daughter did online learning.
Wanting to bring the connection to nature indoors, De Santi purchased plants “to fill our home with greenery,” says the urban planner. At the same time, the duo was looking for a new activity away from technology that they could undertake together.
“We had to figure out something to do that wouldn’t drive each other crazy,” says De Santi’s daughter, Selena Baksh, who is now 12 years old and in Grade 7.
“My mother taught me how to play tennis during ‘recess,’” she says. That resulted in “multiple broken deck railings and many balls being lost in neighbours’ yards.”
They found their stride in being creative and in 2021, brought Terrific Terrariums (terrificterrariums.ca) to life.
Using small glass bowls and low-maintenance plants (succulents and only need water once a month and air plants require a one- to two-hour soak once every two weeks), mother and daughter created one-of-a-kind miniature landscapes that would help to clean the air and spark joy.
They use Ontario-sourced plants including zebra haworthia succulents and air plants and reuse glass containers as much as possible. “This,” says De Santi, “is important because it reduces waste and supports local economic development.”
Each terrarium has seven layers, including drainage layers, made from materials including rocks and gems.
Everything you need to create a terrific terrarium. Photo Credit Tracey Tong
Selena Baksh dusts the inside of a terrarium after placing the sand. Photo Credit Tracey Tong
Shells. Photo Credit Tracey Tong
Selena Baksh holds a handful of gemstones. Photo Credit Tracey Tong
Plastic animals help to build a scene in a terrarium. Photo Credit Tracey Tong
From the beginning, it was a team effort. De Santi and Selena created the designs together and Selena came up with the alliterative terrarium names — like Roaring Red, Planted Perfectly, Grounded Greens, Dancing Diamonds, Heroic Hills, Golden Geometric, High Hurricane, Beach Bowl, Wonderful White, Black Beauty, Crystal Clear and Simply Seashells — for each theme. Thanks to online learning, Selena had gained the knowledge to create the Terrific Terrariums website and logo.
They started by exhibiting at the Main Street Farmer’s Market in Old Ottawa South. After a number of sales, Terrific Terrariums expanded to create plant-themed jewelry and magnets.
“I inquired with local businesses about their interest in selling our terrariums,” says De Santi. “We were supported by 3 Sisters Bakeshop, Boomerang Kids and End of the Line Boutique in Wakefield.” The community, says De Santi, has been “supportive and encouraging.”
They also make terrariums to specification and offer birthday parties, group and corporate events and classes at community centres.
It was at these events that Selena, who also manages the marketing, honed her public speaking skills.
“What comes into play a lot more now is my ability to present off the top of my head to [people of] multiple ages at workshops,” she says. “At markets, I learned how to run the table on my own and manage the money.”
As to the appeal of these events, it is “being able to say ‘I made this, and I’m taking care of it,’” says Selena. “It’s the aspect of taking care of nature and the earth at a young age, which promotes the next generation to be aware of climate change and the planet.”
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You can do it
Nadia De Santi and Selena Baksh’s instructions on creating your own terrific terrarium at home
What you’ll need:
- live air plant(s)
- glass container
- rocks, stones and gems
- colourful sand
- moss
- decorative items such as seashells or small toy animals
Tips:
Most of the supplies can be purchased at the dollar store. For a more sustainable option, try a thrift store.
Instructions:
- Decide on a theme for the terrarium.
- When choosing décor, consider the colour scheme of the room the finished terrarium will live in.
- Any glass container will work for the terrarium, as long as it is large enough to hold the design and there aren’t any holes on the bottom.
- Wash the glass container before use.
- After pouring the sand into the container, use a soft brush to gently sweep the sand off the sides of the terrarium.
- Be creative when decorating but ensure that there is enough room for the air plant.
- Remove the plant from the terrarium before watering. Succulents only need water once a month and air plants require a one- to two-hour soak once every two weeks.
- Tracey Tong