Creating a Mini Garden in a Soda Pop Bottle

The long, hot days of summer usually welcome day trips to the pool, vacations to the beach or mountains and, for many, several hours spent indoors in the air conditioning. If you find yourself doing a lot of the latter, you and your children may go a little stir crazy from time to time. This great gardening project can be completed indoors in the air conditioning, all the while allowing you and your children to get your hands dirty! This really simple, inexpensive project can be a great way to spend some quality time with your children on a hot Saturday August afternoon. Let’s get started...

Making a small garden out of a plastic two-liter soda pop bottle not only keeps your children interested in gardening and mother nature, it is also a great way to teach them about condensation and the importance of “going green” by reusing the plastic bottle. They will be learning so much through this process, they won’t even realize it; they will just think it is a fun project with mom or dad!

Materials Needed
- 1 Plastic 2-Liter Soda Pop Bottle with Cap
- 1 or 2 Small Plants
- Small Stones
- Scissors
- Potting Soil
- Sphagnum or Spanish Moss
- Activated Charcoal (Available at the Pet Store)


Let’s Get Started
- Remove the black plastic cup at the bottom of the bottle, as well as any labels or stickers. You can usually loosen these by filling the bottle with hot water, which in turn warms the glue.

- Wash the inside of the bottle, making sure any residue is removed.

- Parents Only: Cut off the bottom of the bottle, about one-third of the way up. Set top portion aside.

- Place about 1” - 2” of stones in the bottom of the bottle. Pea gravel or aquarium stones work well.

- Place 1/4” layer of charcoal over the pebbles. This will help to absorb any excess moisture and acts as a filter which purifies the water inside the bottle.

- Place a layer of moss over the charcoal. This serves as a barrier so the soil doesn’t penetrate the rocks beneath.

- Next, add a thick layer of soil. Make sure there is enough dirt to cover the root ball of the plants.

- Tease the roots of your plants and place your them in the soil.

- Embellish with a layer of moss on top.

- Put the top and bottom pieces of the bottle together. You will probably have to slightly squeeze the lower portion to make it fit into the top piece. Replace cap.

Viola! You have a homemade terrarium garden that your children can enjoy for months to come. To learn more about terrariums, plant selection and care, visit our Guide to Terrariums.

Happy Fun!
Heather W.
Fairview Greenhouses & Garden Center