Frequently asked questions

Why is My terrarium case fogging up?

Some condensation is expected but it should come and go through the day. If your terrarium is constantly fogging up here is what you can do.

Clean Nucleation spots with microfiber cloth. Condensations "grows" around any scratches or spots it can latch on to. Clean the case with a microfiber cloth makes sure you don't create an micro scratches condensation to build from.

Open the lid for an hour and let it breath. This helps to reduce the amount of water in the terrarium.

Turn on the heating. Condensation builds due to a difference in temperature between your room and the inside of the terrarium. If your room is a bit chilly, the enclosed terrarium is likely to be a bit warmer and condensation builds on the inside.

Why are my plants turning brown?

This could be two things. Check if the browned parts are dry and crispy or wet and mushy.

Dry and crispy. Too much direct light. Move your terrarium out of direct light and give it a good watering.

Wet and mushy. Too much water. Pull off any dead leaves and leave the lid off for a few hours to dry out a bit.

Is it dead? / What is something dies?

Plants can be resilient. If it still has some green it can recover. If it is dead, you can always replace the dead plants with something new and exciting. Just pull out any dead plants and add a new one into the moss.

If you want some extra advice on dealing with a struggling plant, feel free to get in touch.

My item arrived damaged. Can I get a refund?

Sorry your item hasn't arrived as expected. Please get in touch using the contact form or by emailing hello@squirrelfern.com within 30 days of purchase. Include a copy of your receipt and any relevant information about your order. You will receive an email with all the details you need to know about how to return the item and get a refund.

How often should I water it?

During the first month, while it is settling into your space, give it a few spay of water every few days. Enough to make sure it doesn't dry out.

After it's settled in and you can see new growth, you can reduce the watering to a few sprays every couple weeks.

How long can it go without water?

When established your terrarium can go a few weeks without water. Even if some moss browns it can revive with a good watering. Remember the time it takes to dry out will be different in winter and summer.

Can I use tap water?

If you live in an area with hard water, like London, it's not recommended to use tap water. While it is fine from time to time, continues use of hard water will cause a buildup of minerals and limescale on the moss and clog your spray bottle's nozzle.

The best choice is rainwater. Reverse osmosis water, if you have access to it, or simply to buy a bottle of fresh water. Just make sure its low in minerals.

Are there bugs in this?

While the plants used are cleaned and washed before being added to a terrarium this doesn't remove all potential hitchhikers. Luckily, most of the potential critters you could find like being in the damp moss and soil. Many are also beneficial for the health of the soil and plants.

Where does the moss come from?

The moss used in all Squirrel fern products is either grown inside by myself or sourced from trusted sustainable UK suppliers.