There’s something awfully satisfying about taking a cast-off thrift store find and giving it a second life, especially when it turns into something this pretty. These glass cookie jars make wonderful little fall succulent terrariums, and with just three main items to work with, you can put together a cozy display that looks far more expensive than it is.
I’ve always had a soft spot for projects like this because they remind me of the way we used to save and reuse everything on the farm instead of tossing it out. If you enjoy simple decorating, easy plant projects, or you just can’t pass up old glass jars at a secondhand shop, this is a lovely afternoon project that brings a bit of autumn indoors without much fuss.
Materials
3 clear glass cookie jars with lids, 1 to 2 gallon size each
Instructions
1. Wash the cookie jars with warm soapy water and dry them thoroughly so the glass is clear and free of dust or stickers.
2. Add 1 cup of pea gravel to the bottom of each jar to create a simple drainage layer and give the display a nice finished base.
3. Sprinkle about 2 to 3 tablespoons of activated charcoal over the gravel in each jar to help keep the terrarium fresh.
4. Add about 2 cups of cactus soil to each jar, sloping it slightly higher toward the back so the planting has some shape.
5. Remove the succulents from their nursery pots, loosen the roots gently, and arrange two plants in each jar with enough room for them to sit just above the soil line.
6. Plant the succulents by pressing soil around the roots, then brush loose soil off the leaves and glass so everything looks neat.
7. Tuck small pieces of preserved moss around the base of the plants to cover exposed soil and soften the look.
8. Add mini pinecones, acorns, seed pods, or a small decorative pumpkin to each jar, keeping the accents off to one side so the succulents remain the star.
9. Set the lids on loosely or leave them off entirely, since succulents prefer airflow rather than a fully closed terrarium environment.
10. Place the finished jars in bright indirect light and water very lightly only when the soil is fully dry.
Variations & Tips
Keep it truly three-item simple: If you want the easiest version, use only the jars, succulent soil, and a succulent mix, then forage a few pinecones from the yard instead of buying extra decor.
Choose the right jars: Wide-mouth cookie jars are much easier to plant than narrow apothecary shapes. I always look for glass that’s clear and not too heavy with embossing so the layers can show.
Don’t seal them shut: This is the biggest tip I can give. Succulents don’t enjoy the steamy, closed-up conditions that true tropical terrariums do, so keep the lid cracked or off.
Use thrift store odds and ends: If you can’t find matching cookie jars, mismatched ones can be even prettier grouped together. That collected-over-time look feels homey and natural, especially for fall decorating.
Try a harvest color palette: Succulents with burgundy edges, dusty blue leaves, or soft sage tones look especially nice with autumn materials. It gives the whole arrangement that late-September feeling I’ve always loved.
Water sparingly: In glass containers without drainage holes, less is best. I use just a spoonful or two of water at a time and wait until the soil is completely dry before adding more.
Make them last beyond fall: Once the season changes, swap out the pinecones and pumpkins for winter greenery, spring pebbles, or summer shells. The jars themselves are sturdy enough to carry right on into the next season.