You can build a complete, thriving terrarium almost entirely from Bunnings, a glass vessel, a few small plants, some drainage and substrate. What it won’t reliably have is good live moss and a bioactive cleanup crew, but those are easy to add online. Below is the current Bunnings terrarium range and how to use it.
Glass terrariums & vessels at Bunnings
Bunnings carries its own budget-friendly terrarium glassware plus a rotating marketplace range. The most useful for a planted terrarium:
- Terrarium Vase With Lid (17cm and 19cm), a lidded glass vase, ideal as a closed terrarium for moss and ferns.
- Medium Closed Terrarium Bottle, a corked bottle that seals in humidity, a classic sealed build.
- 3L Half-Open Terrarium Bottle, a part-open bottle with airflow, good for hardier plants or ferns.
- Ladelle Eco Recycled Glass Terrarium Container and the E Style 42cm Tall Glass Terrarium Vase, larger open vessels for a statement planting.
- For a bioactive or reptile setup, Bunnings’ marketplace also lists Exo Terra Pro terrariums and paludariums.
Prefer a faceted “glass house” or geometric shape? Those are easier to find online, see our geometric terrarium guide and best terrarium containers.
Terrarium plants at Bunnings (“Bottle Babies”)
This is Bunnings’ quiet strength. Look for Paradisia 70mm Terrarium Plants, sold as “Bottle Babies”, tiny pots grown specifically for terrariums and bottle gardens, usually in-store and excellent value. Beyond those, scan the indoor plants section for the small pots that suit a terrarium:
- Fittonia (nerve plant), the classic closed-terrarium plant.
- Peperomia, mini pilea (“Moon Valley”), small ferns and mondo grass, all good in scale.
- For an open, dry terrarium, small succulents and cacti from the same section.
Pick the smallest pots of humidity-loving foliage, they’re cheaper, transplant more easily and stay in scale longer. See the best plants for closed terrariums for the full list.
Terrarium supplies (the layers) at Bunnings
Bunnings covers most of the “layer cake” cheaply:
- Drainage, decorative gravel, pebbles or hydroponic clay balls (LECA).
- Substrate, a quality indoor potting mix, plus coco coir and perlite to lighten it.
- Hardscape, cork bark, driftwood and stones from the garden and décor aisles.
- Sphagnum moss, in the orchid section, for a moisture-holding layer.
See our full terrarium supplies guide for what each layer does.
What Bunnings doesn’t reliably stock
Two things you’ll usually need to source elsewhere:
- Live cushion & sheet moss, Bunnings rarely carries good live green moss. See our guide to where to buy live moss in Australia.
- A cleanup crew (springtails), the tiny insects that keep a bioactive terrarium mould-free, best bought from an Australian bioactive supplier or online.
Order it online instead (Amazon AU)
If you’d rather have everything delivered, or want the moss and kits Bunnings lacks, these ship fast within Australia:
Bunnings vs Kmart, IKEA & Amazon
Each Aussie store has a niche: Bunnings is best for plants, substrate and value glassware; Kmart for the cheapest simple jars and bowls; IKEA for tall vases and greenhouse cabinets; and Amazon AU for geometric shapes, kits, moss and a cleanup crew. Our roundup of where to buy terrariums in Australia compares them all.
Frequently asked questions
Does Bunnings sell terrariums?
Yes. Bunnings stocks its own budget terrarium vases with lids and closed and half-open terrarium bottles, plus a rotating marketplace range of larger glass vessels and reptile terrariums.
Does Bunnings sell terrarium plants?
Yes, look for Paradisia 70mm Bottle Babies, tiny plants grown for terrariums, usually in-store. The indoor plant section also has fittonia, peperomia, small ferns and succulents in terrarium-friendly sizes.
Does Bunnings sell live moss?
Rarely. Bunnings usually has sphagnum moss in the orchid section but not good live cushion or sheet moss. Buy live moss from a specialist grower or online instead.
Can I build a whole terrarium from Bunnings?
Almost. A vessel, plants, gravel, potting mix and cork bark are all there. You will usually need to add live moss and a springtail cleanup crew from elsewhere.
Are Bunnings terrariums cheap?
Yes, Bunnings own terrarium vases and bottles are among the most affordable ready-to-plant vessels in Australia, and Bottle Babies plants are inexpensive.
Bunnings links are provided for convenience and are not affiliate links. Some Amazon links are affiliate links, if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.